Orcutt, Etta M. Townsend – 1866-1930

INGHAM, ORCUTT, TAYLOR, TOWNSEND

Posted By: Donna Sloan Rempp (email)
Date: 8/8/2016 at 15:44:43

Another Pioneer Resident Passes
Mrs. Etta M. Orcutt Died at Her Home in Monroe Thursday Night August 7
Mrs. Etta M. Orcutt, widow of the late Herman Orcutt died at her home in Monroe Thursday night. She had been in failing health for some time, but not seriously ill until a short time ago. Mrs. Orcutt had spent nearly all her entire life in Monroe and was active in all affairs that were for the betterment of the community.
Funeral services were conducted Monday at the home by her pastor, Rev. R. C. Buchanan and members of the P.E.O. A coincidence is that the funeral was held on the birthday anniversary of her husband and also of her little daughter. Interment was in the Monroe cemetery.
The pall bearers were: Clyde Charleston and Kenneth Townsend of Des Moines; Harison Taylor of Montezuma; Merritt Townsend of Estherville; Laird Townsend and Robert Townsend of Newton and Edwin Rowser of Mechanicsville.
Out of town relatives and friends present at the funeral services were: Mr. and Mrs. F. L. Townsend, Des Moines; Orie P Townsend, Des Moines; Mrs. U. S. Townsend, Newton; Mr. and Mrs. Laird Townsend, Newton; Harrison Taylor, Montezuma; Mr. and Mrs. J. Lea Taylor, Montezuma; Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Rowser, Montezuma, Kenneth Townsend, Des Moines; Merritt Townsend, Estherville; Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Charlton, Des Moines; Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Thompson and Genevieve, Marshalltown; Mr. and Mrs. Harry Russell, Des Moines; Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Curphy, Des Moines; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ammons, Des Moines; Mrs. Frank Marion, Des Moines; Mrs. Jerusha Baxter, Des Moines; Mrs. Alice Snoke, Des Moines; Miss Isabel Snoke, Des Moines; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Miller, Newton; Frances and Betty Miller, Newton; Mrs. Gertie Gates, Newton; Mrs. A. M. Hough, Newton; Mrs. And Mrs. Fred Hough, Newton, Mrs. L. S. Kenningon, Newton.
The following obituary was read by Rev. Buchanan at the funeral ceremonies:
Etta M. Townsend, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Townsend, was born in Des Moines, Iowa, Oct. 6, 1866 and died at her home in Monroe, Iowa, Thursday, August 7, 1930, aged 63 years, 10 months and 1 day. The Townsend family came to Monroe in 1867 when the deceased was only one year of age. Thus her childhood and her mature years were to be interwoven with the history of Jasper county and the town of Monroe in particular.
On November 7, 1889 she was united in marriage to Herman Orcutt. Theirs was indeed a happy union. Their every act was inspired by love and devotion. On Mr. Orcutt’s thirty-sixth birthday, August 11, 1890 a little daughter came to brighten the home. Three months later the little one went away to the land where the sun never sets, there to wait the coming of father and mother. The father was the first to go, passing quietly but suddenly on Sunday morning, January 23, 1927. Now, with the passing of Mrs. Orcutt the little family circle is once more complete.
Mrs. Orcutt had a quiet, loveable disposition. She filled her place in the home and in the community in a quiet, dignified and efficient manner. Her interests reached far beyond the confines of her own home. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for about forty years. She, with her husband, did much for the success of the local church and was not unmindful of the world-wide program of Christianity. Her activities however, were not confined within the church. She was a member and past president of the Sheledy Womans Relief Corps, a member of chapter BH, PEO and was associated with a local organization known as the L.C.A., or Ladies Cemetery Association. Through these several organizations she served fellowman in ways which we feel sure, has already won the approval of her Master.
She leaves to mourn her departure three brothers and two sisters: Frank L. Townsend of Des Moines, Iowa; Mrs. H. A. Ingham of Glendale, Calif.; Orie P. Townsend of Des Moines; Mrs. J. Lea Taylor of Montezuma, Iowa, and Uly S. Townsend of Newton, Iowa. Besides these there are seven nephews and five nieces. Her friends were the number of her acquaintances. We bury her body but her spirit has passed beyond the confines of earth to be with the great host of redeemed.
Source: Newspaper Unknown; __ August 1930