Alice C. Stinson Sumpter 1870-1964

SUMPTER, STINSON, BERKE, MOEN

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 1/11/2014 at 00:55:33

Dr. Alice Stinson is Dead at 94
Dr. Alice Stinson Sumpter, pioneer Estherville woman physician, died at 11:30 yesterday morning at the Good Samaritan Home.

She was 94 years old but, considering her age, her health had been fairly good. She had lived in her own home until a few months ago when she became a resident of Good Samaritan Home.

Dr. Stinson had practiced medicine in Estherville since 1902.

She was born in Ohio where she received her early schooling. She attended the State University of Iowa and received her medical degree at Northwestern University in 1898, specializing in obstetrics. There were only two women in her graduating class.

She started her practice of medicine in Riceville, where she was married to A.W. Sumpter.

They moved here from Decorah in 1902 and she opened an office here and continued her medical practice. Most of her practice was from an office in her home.

While less active in recent years, Dr. Stinson had a continuous correspondence with former patients concerning birth certificates and related matters. She took in several homeless children and raised them as her own.

Surviving are a son, Elmer Sumpter, two grandchildren, Sandra, Mrs. Charles Berke of Cherokee and John Sumpter of Deland, Fla., serving in the navy aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise. They will both be here for the funeral.

Also surviving are two brothers, Senator Charles F. Stinson of Pasco, Wash., and Will Stinson of Grass Valley, Calif.; and a sister, Mrs. Clara Moen of Decorah.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow at Fuhrman Funeral Home with the Rev. H. Allen Wirtz officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill cemetery. Friends may call after 7 this evening at the funeral home until time of services on Saturday.

Pallbearers will be George Robinson, Glen Michael, George Kibbee, Dr. J.P. Clark, Robert Knight and Vernon Clark. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, October 23, 1964)