Stark, Mary Jane Hudson (1844-1926)

STARK, HUDSON, SWANSON

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 5/2/2017 at 07:04:11

Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, Iowa, Thursday, December 30, 1926

MRS. STARK DIES AT HOME

Dies After Severe Illness of Two Days - Was Born in 1844 in Kentucky

A CHRISTIAN WOMAN

Was Mother of Six Children All of Whom Are Living

Mrs. M.J. Stark died at 6:30 o'clock last night at her home, 845 Bank street, after a brief but painful illness of only 48 hours with obstruction of the bowels. Three of her children, O.S. Stark, of Des Moines, and her two unmarried daughters, the Misses Lusetta and Bertha, were at their mother's bedside to give her devoted service until the end.

Mrs. Stark, although frail in body, was active and indomitable in spirit through her sunset years and even her nearest friends and neighbors scarcely realized that the end was so near. She had been active in her usual enterprises of the home until November when she attended religious services for the last time. The Christmas festivities, therefore, she anticipated with her usual delighted interest and, with her daughters, spent a portion of the day with neighbors. The fact that she so keenly enjoyed her life almost to the threshold of the new life, is now a great source of consolation to her children, to whom she had so often expressed the desire that she might not linger long in her final illness.

Mary Jane Hudson was born May 22, 1844, in Kentucky. She was united in marriage Christmas day, 1862, to Francis Marion Stark in Illinois, where they resided five years before coming to Hamilton county. They lived on a farm near Stanhope and later Mr. Stark became a Stanhope businessman of prominence, owning a half interest in the general store of Swanson & Stark and a half interest in the furniture and undertaking establishment of Stark & Son for a number of years. He passed away April 12, 1894.

Into the home came six children, all of whom survive. These are as follows; Lusetta and Bertha, residing at home; Oliver Simeon, of Des Moines; Mrs. A.F. Swanson and Leander Jesse, both of Guthrie, Okla.; Albert Truman of Chicago. There are also seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren left to mourn the passing of a loving and devoted grandmother.

Mrs. Stark was a life long member of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which she united when a girl. Since removing to Webster City in November, 32 years ago, she has faithfully attended all services of her church and was, almost without fail, to be found in her pew at two services each Sunday. It was of deep regret to her that she had been unable to attend church for several weeks. Mrs. Stark was the last of her own immediate line. All have preceded her in death.

Three years ago Mrs. Stark sustained a bad fall in which she fractured her hip. This was the first illness of any duration which her children ever recall. Her remarkable vitality brought her back almost to normal health again and she resumed her household routine, which routine was not broken even to the morning prior to the day of her death.

She was devoted to the service of her family and friends, which latter number always included all neighbors. Kindly and neighborly all her life, Mrs. Stark made her presence and her optimism felt wherever she lived. The out of doors called her, and her devotion to her garden was ever a matter of congratulatory comment by all in {?} and the actual work of tilling the soil were vital matters to her and her neighborhood. The growing performed a never failing interest until the last two or three years, since when frail health caused a cessation of her labors. With Christian fortitude she bore the painful illness of the past two days and the memories which crowd thick and fast to her children and friends are those of abundant vitality, a cheerful, happy disposition and a long life well spent.

The funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home, conducted by Rev. Thomas B. Collins, pastor of the local Methodist church. All the children will be present with the possible exception of Truman Stark, who is ill at his home in Chicago.

Interment will be made in the Lawn Hill cemetery three miles southeast of Stanhope by the side of her husband.