Mary Altyra "Tyra" (Widel) Pratt

WIDEL, PRATT, WOOD

Posted By: LuAnn Goeke (email)
Date: 7/8/2008 at 17:15:11

Nashville - Dec. 9, 1893

Ed. Sentinel - Our community is shrouded in gloom, by the death of Mrs. Tyra Pratt, the wife of Geo. Pratt. Her death was caused by pneumonia, which is so prevalent of late. Mrs. Pratt was one who was loved and respected by all who knew her; one that the community will miss as a neighbor, church and Sabbath school worker, and, in fact, ever ready to lend a helping hand in time of trouble and need.

She was born Dec. 5, 1860, and died Dec. 5, 1893, her death being on her thirty-third birthday. Her maiden name was Widel and her former home was Baldwin, Iowa. Her parents died when she was quite young, leaving her in charge of a family of five brothers and sisters, who survive her. She has done a good part by always being ready to console them in time of distress. She was married to Geo. W. Pratt on Aug. 14, 1878, who survived her but was in a critical condition at the time of her death with the same disease. Five children were born to them, four of whom are left to mourn her loss, (three boys and one girl.) The services were conducted at the Nashville church, Friday inst., at 1 p.m., by Rev. Stephen Wood of Lost Nation. It was a very able and impressive sermon, speaking many words of condolence to the bereaved friends. She was laid to rest in the Buckhorn cemetery. [I?] never attended a memorial service that was so sympathetic: the thoughts of the sick husband, unable to be present, and her four small children, who could not give their mother [illegible] for the last time, was a sight that [will] long be remembered.

[W]e will miss thee, dear mother,
As time speeds swiftly by,
[Bu]t we will try and live so as to meet thee,
In that Kingdom on high.

[We] will miss thee both morn and night,
Your heart was always cheerful and bright,
[We] know you have gone to realms on high,
Where they sing the praise of the sweet by and by.

[illegible]der have courage, do not give up to die:
[W]ait awhile and we will all go to that end[?]
[o]n high.
[illegible]ness and death has entered our door.
[illegible] will pray that it will do so no more.

[illegible]n age has crept upon us,
[illegible] will be waiting to die:
[illegible] we will meet you dear mother,
[illegible] that beautiful place on high.

[The article was near the left edge of the page and some letters were lost.]

- Jackson Co. Sentinel, Maquoketa, IA, Dec. 14, 1894, pg 10, col. 1.