KOONS, Henrietta 1831-1924

KOONS, FERGASON

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 3/16/2015 at 17:24:05

Mrs. W. B. Koens Passes Away At Ripe Old Age

One Of The Oldest And Most Highly Respected Residents Of Grundy Co.

Lived to be Nearly 94 Years

Came to Grundy County in 1884 and Located on a Farm West of Grundy Center

Henrietta Furgason was born Feb. 8, 1831, in Bradford county, Pa., where she spent her early life. With her parents she came to Clinton Co., Ia., in 1858. In 1860 she married Wesley B. Koons. To this union were born three sons, E. V., R. V., and L. V.

The family lived on their farm in Clinton county until March, 1884, when they moved to Grundy county on the farm three miles west of Grundy Center still known by many as the Koons farm. Here they lived until the spring of 1899 when they moved to the present home in Grundy Center, where Mrs. Koons passed away Nov. 17, 1924, at 7:30 p.m. at the age of 93 years, 9 months and 9 days.

She was preceded in death by her husband and eldest son. Mr. Koons died March 21, 1908, and Emil May 10, 1922. She leaves to mourn her loss her two sons and daughter-in-law of --unreadable-- and a host of friends and neighbors. She was the last survivor of her family of nine children, five sisters and three brothers. Few indeed are permitted to live so active a life for nearly a century.

In the death of Mrs. Koons Grundy Center loses one of her oldest and most respected citizens. She was pre-eminently a home-maker and housekeeper. Her family and home were her first thought and until the past few months she looked after and took an active interest in her home. She was a charter member of Pythian Sisters, Carter Temple, No. 91, and retained her membership until her death.

In July she suffered a severe nervous attack and although able to be about has been the constant care of her family since that time. A week ago she had a slight stroke and was confined to her bed until she passed quietly to her rest.

The funeral was conducted from her home Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 2:30 p.m., Rev. Benbow of the First Presbyterian church, in charge.

Those present from out of town were: N. B. Koons, Sioux Falls, So. Dak.; H. E. Bailey and Frank Bailey, Cedar Falls; Mrs. Carrie Wernz, Waterloo; Mrs. Erickson, Cedar Falls; C. E. Smith and wife and daughter, Marshalltown, Mr. and Mrs. Swab, Mrs. Shirk, Eldora; Howard George, Mr. and Mrs. L. F. Burgess, Eldora.

1924, the 17th of November,
I well remember,
Aunt Henrietta Koons passed away,
At the age of ninety-three,
So kind, and near and dear to me.
From the toils of earth she is now at rest,
Those who knew her longest, loved her best,
Her love of home and daily cares, hour by hour,
In sunshine of life she was vine and flower.
Amid the hardships of busy strife,
She strew flowers of kindness along the pathway of life.
She passed the afternoon hour on the journey of life, the shadows falling from the west,
With the burdens for a pillow lies down to rest.
The thought and cares were broad and deep,
She now is resting in peaceful sleep,

With heartfelt sympathy extended to her family and all her friends who mourn her loss.
By her loving nephew,
E. S. Furgason

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 20 November 1924, pg 1