GARDNER, Elizabeth 1828-1901

GARDNER, RICE

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 10/16/2016 at 20:40:49

Elizabeth R. Rice was born in Onondaga, N.Y., June 29, 1828. She was united in marriage to L. Gardner May 17, 1846. There were born to them five children, four daughters and one son, all of whom survive her, except the youngest daughter, who died March 7, 1881. Sister Gardner was converted to Christ and united with the Baptist church at the age of sixteen and honored her profession ever after by a devoted Christian life. She came to Blackhawk county, Iowa, in 1864, removed to Grundy Center, 1877, and has ever since made her home with her daughter, Mrs. D. A. Palmer.

The funeral services were held in the First Baptist church at two o'clock Sunday afternoon. The pastor, C. H. Marsh, preached the sermon from the text, Psalms 35, 14, "I bowed down heavily as one that mourned for his mother." This was appropriate to the occasion. The children present were Mrs. Jonas Lamb and Mrs. D. A. Palmer of Grundy Center, Mrs. Elliott of Marshalltown, and Mr. Seth Gardner of South Dakota, and the grandchildren, Mrs. Martz, Mrs. Louis Dixon, Miss Hattie Dunsmore with the Messrs. Palmer, mourned for her as for their own mother. The large attendance at the funeral was proof of the respect of the community for Sister Gardner. The choir furnished appropriate music, and the pastor was assisted by Rev. J. B. Jones of the M.E. church.

Farewell mother, farewell mother;
Peaceful be thy silent rest;
Slumber sweetly, God knew best
When he called thee home to rest.

Farewell mother, farewell mother
We would say our last farewell
Till we meet beyond the river
Happy there with thee to dwell.

Farewell mother, farewell mother;
Thou hast loved us long and well,
How we miss thee none can tell,
Jesus called thee, all is well.

The children of the deceased desire to thank those who kindly administered to their mother during her last sickness.

--The Grundy Republican (Grundy Center, Iowa), 24 January 1901, pg 5