Kepler, Ida (1868-1892)

KEPLER

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 3/24/2017 at 15:04:41

Webster City Freeman, Wednesday, June 15, 1892

OBITUARY
I sometimes dream her pleasant smiles
Still on me sweetly fall;
Her tones of love I faintly hear
My name in sadness call.
I know that she is happy
With her angel plumage on,
But my heart is very desolate
When I think that she is gone.

Died, June 5th, 1892, of consumption, Ida E., daughter of Alfred and Eliza Kepler, aged 23 years, 6 months and 15 days. No young person of our community could be more sadly missed than "Ida" will be. The sweet, bright face, the cheerful smile, the gentle heart and kindly hand that were always so ready to help others in time of need will no longer have a place among us. She was the light of her home and the circle in which she moved. When twelve years old, Ida became a member of the M.E. church, and has at various times acted as teacher and superintendent of the Sabbath school. She was an efficient member of our church choir until the throat and lung trouble which finally caused her death, prevented her from occupying the place she had so long and faithfully filled. Her illness of nearly two years was borne with unwavering patience, and though for a long time she clung fondly to life, yet wholly resigned at last to depart and be with Christ, knowing that it was far better. Twenty-four hours before she breathed her last she called the family and friends around her and with a loving hand-clasp gave to each her last good-bye. To her brothers she gave her last words of sisterly counsel and the oft repeated injunction - "meet me in heaven" - "I am going to heaven" she said, sure of her welcome there. Her mother said: "Do you suffer much pain?" "Why, no; Jesus bears all my pain," she said. She lingered until the following day, when, just as the sun was sinking in the west on a glorious June Sabbath, her spirit drifted out of the troubled, tossing river of time into the calm ocean of God's eternal love. Sweet friend, kind heart; hail and farewell.

Rest, weary head.
Lie down to slumber in the peaceful tomb;
Light from above has broken thro' its gloom.
Here, in the place where once the Savior lay,
Where he shall wake thee on a future day,
Like a tired child upon its mother's breast,
Rest, sweetly rest!