Kimmel, Lucinda DeFrance (1857-1959)

KIMMEL, KIMMELL, DEFRANCE

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 11/4/2023 at 14:39:40

Daily Freeman Journal
Webster City, Iowa
Thursday, June 4, 1959

Mrs. Kimmel, Eldest County Resident, Dies

Would Have Been 102 Years Old June 21

Rites to Be Saturday at 2 p.m. for Pioneer City Resident

Mrs. Lucinda Kimmel, Hamilton county's oldest resident, who would have been 102 years old June 21, died Wednesday evening at 7:30 at the home of Mrs. John Williams. Although in failing health, she had been critically ill only since Tuesday night when she slipped into a coma from which she never rallied.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Foster funeral home with the Rev. Robert Scott officiating and with burial in Graceland cemetery.

Mrs. Kimmel was given special recognition in 1957 in one of the feature events of Webster City's Centennial observance which coincided with the observance of her 100th birthday. She also was the honored guest at the Daily Freeman-Journal's centennial open house held in June, 1957.

Several years prior to Webster City's centennial, Mrs. Kimmel was selected by the Greater Webster City Week committee as "Grandma Webster City" and was honored on that occasion as Webster City's eldest citizen.

Lucinda E. DeFrance, daughter of Daniel C. and Mary DeFrance, was born June 21, 1857 in Tama county, Iowa. She was the third child in a family of 12 and sole survivor of that family.

She was united in marriage Sept. 23, 1876 to Daniel J. Kimmel and Mr. and Mrs. Kimmel engaged in farming for many years, being located near Homer and Blairsburg before moving to Webster City in 1895.

For 58 years, Mrs. Kimmel resided at her home on Fourth St., then was a resident of the Hubbard Nursing home for two years before moving to the John Williams home four years ago.

She was preceded in death by her husband; three daughters; one son, her parents, four sisters and seven brothers.

Surviving are one son, Thomas Kimmel, of Waterloo; seven grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren.

She was baptized in the Christian faith and was a member of the Church of Christ in Webster City.