Laura Belle Howe Dawson 1873-1946

STAPLES, HOWE, JENSEN, DAWSON, LOWE, LOEFFELHARDT, FIKE, SCHOENEMAN

Posted By: Dorothy Gosse (email)
Date: 3/23/2011 at 22:36:10

Laura Belle Staples, daughter of
Almund and Mary A. Staples, was
born near Randalia in Fayette
county, Iowa on August 3, 1873
and departed this life at the home
of her daughter. Mrs. Max Jensen
in Oelwein, Iowa, following a
brief illness, on January 4, 1946.
She received her early education
in the community of her
birth; later attended the Fayette
High School and Upper Iowa university
at Fayette, preparing herself
for teaching, which she did
for a number of years.
On December 20, 1893, she was
united in marriage to Fred W.
Howe. They established their
home in Randalia where they resided
until 1903, when they came
to Oelwein.
Three adopted children came
into their home; Forrest W., James
H. and Mrs. Max Jensen.
On September 7, 1935, her companion
of 42 years passed away.
On January 1, 1937, she was
united in marriage to the Rev.
John Dawson of Fredericksburg,
Iowa. They made their home at
Fredericksburg for several years
and then moved to Oelwein where
they have resided at 320 8th St.
S.W.
Two of the adopted children,
Forrest and James; two brothers,
William and Bruce Staples have
preceded her in death.
She is survived by her husband,
the Rev. John Dawson who is very
ill; by her daughter, Mrs. Max
Jensen of Oelwein, and by two
granddaughters, Virginia Jensen
and Laura, Mrs. Benj. F. Lowe,
all of Oelwein. She also leaves to
mourn her loss two brothers, Herbert
Staples of Story, Wyo., and
Eugene Staples of Eureka Springs,
Ark.
Four step-daughters and one
step-son: Mrs. Florence Loeffelhardt
of Sheffield, la.; Mrs. Margaret
Fike of Waterloo; Miss Elizabeth
Dawson, St. Charles, Mo.;
Mrs. Beulah Schoeneman of Parkersburg,
la. and Paul Dawson of
Waterloo, la.
Mrs. Dawson was an earnest
Christian, and an active member
of the Methodist church for over
30 years, serving in the Epworth
League in her earlier days, then
as Sunday school teacher most of
her life, unit leader of unit 12 for
several years and very active in
the Woman's Missionary Society
where she served as president for
over ten years. A woman of many
good works, deeply sincere, she
leaves a legacy of precious memories
that will always be a comfort
to her family and friends.
Her testimony of a living faith in
her Savior will shine forever in
her crown of life which the blessed
Lord shall give her. *
Memorial services were held at
Grace Methodist church in Oelwein
on Sunday, January 6lh, at
2:30 p.m. The pastor, the Rev.
F. C. Witzigman. officiated.
Mrs. Russell Hearne and Mr.
Russell Brant sang "Abide With
Me" and "In the Shadow of His
Love." Mrs. Sophia Tait, organist.
Interment was made in the Oakdale
cemetery.

Oelwein Daily Register - 7 January 1946