Frances, Luckiesh

LUCKIESH, CLARK, ALLEN, WORCESTER, HANSEN, ELLIS, SCHMIDT

Posted By: Jo (email)
Date: 5/15/2007 at 23:23:18

BEAUTIFUL LIFE BROUGHT TO A CLOSE THURSDAY EVENING
As the shadows of eventide fell and the early stars of Thursday night gleamed upon the fading crest of western clouds, an angel stole across the track of gold and crimson and called to one of Maquoketa's lovely young women, "Come Home." In this angelic call a story of delight and sweetness had been closed and a wish had been fulfilled for the author had yearned that the volume should be finished at the old home where fascinations lingered and environs were memory-filled. Can there be a wish more grand; a desire more noble than to ask that we may fall asleep while Mother and loved ones guard the bedside? Can a soul find a more sublime spot from whence to take its flight than mid the scenes of home sweet home? This requiest made during the closing months of the life of Mrs. Frances Clark-Luckiesh, is but an exemplification of her wonderful character. She foresaw the inevitable and in her own sweet way resigned her life to the God who gave it with the patience and cheerfulness that showered blessings along the pathway of her illness even unto the end. Her desire to "come home" was emblematic of that unselfishness which featured her life; she knew mother, sisters and brother would want her at home; she felt that father would have wished it so, and her faithful husband who untiringly used every human agency to baffle the malady, brought her from Cleveland, Ohio, that her wish might be granted and her heart desire fulfilled, so on Thursday evening she bade good bys to loved ones and her earthly home and stepped across the line to the real home sweet home - Eternal Home.
Frances T. Clark, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M.W. Clark, was born in the family home on West Platt street, Maquoketa, Iowa, January 13, 1888, and spent her girlhood here, graduating from the Maquoketa High School with the class of 1906 afterwards graduating from the Detroit Musical Conservatory in 1909, also attending Northwestern University in 1912-13. For some time she taught music in the public schools at Bellevue, Ia., and Hankinson, N. Dak.
Miss Clark was united in marriage to Mr. Matt Luckiesh August 23, 1913, and with her husband moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where Mr. Luckiesh has long held a prominent position in the Nela Park Laboratories, and in which city they have since resided.
Mrs. Luckiesh had been in poor health for the past five years and everything known to medical aid was employed but could only serve to stay the hand of the inevitable. Some weeks ago she expressed her desire to be brought back to the old home, to which wish the husband willingly complied and who after remaining here with her for some time, returned to his work in the east. Although Mr. Luckiesh made every effort to reach her bedside before the end came, he arrived too late, and she fell asleep in the presence of her bereaved mother, two sisters, Miss A. Bess Clark and Mrs. Victoria Clark-Allen, who tenderly cared for her during her final days of illness.
Funeral services were held Sunday morning, July 26, at the family home with Rev. F.C. Worcester of the Methodist church and Rev. L. I. Hansen, former pastor of the Baptist church, in charge. Rev. Hansen had been a friend of Mrs. Luckiesh for many years and performed her marriage in 1913. Mrs. Louise Swigart Ellis sang two beautiful solo numbers which were favorite selections of Mrs. Luckiesh when she was a member of the Baptist church choir several years ago. Mrs. Ellis was accompanied by George Schmidt on the violin.
Besides her sorrowing husband she is survived by her mother, Mrs. M.W. Clark, two sisters, Mrs. Jerome Lee Allen, A. Bess Clark and one brother, Dr. L. W. Clark of Chester, Iowa, who were present for the funeral. Interment was made in Mt. Hope cemetery.
DEATH DATE: July 23, 1925
SOURCE: Private newspaper clipping collection