Marquis, Jessie Bell Slavens – 1867-1942

MARQUIS, SLAVENS

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:34

Mrs. A. S. Marquis Died Monday After Long Illness
Death Came Monday At Home Of Son In Des Moines; Pioneer Resident Of Colfax
Mrs. A. S. Marquis, 75, a pioneer mother of Colfax, died Monday noon at the home of her son, Lieut. Commander George Marquis, M.C.U.S.N.R., at 2513 Beaver, Des Moines, following a lingering illness of over two years duration. Mrs. Marquis suffered a stroke in March of 1940, shortly after having been installed as president of Chapter BA of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. The stroke affected her entire right side and though she partially recovered her speech she had been an invalid ever since. She has suffered slight strokes at different times throughout the years, but a week ago Sunday she had a second severe stroke from which she failed to rally. She was taken to Des Moines after the first stroke where she has been since, first at the hospital, then at a nursing home and the majority of the time at the home of her son.
Jessie Bell Slavens, daughter of Jesse and Mary Slavens was born Feb. 9, 1867, on the Slavens farm in Poweshiek township north of Colfax and died at the home of her son, Dr. George Marquis, in Des Moines, Dec. 21, 1942, at the age of 75 years, 10 months and 13 days.
She was most active in her young womanhood, early married life and later mature years, always doing her part in church, social and civic circles. Of a very optimistic and cheerful nature, she was the life of all parties and a leader in all that was for the betterment of the community.
After her marriage to A. S. Marquis on June 17, 1891, they made their home in Colfax where George and Jess were born. While their eldest son was a student at Kansas University, they resided at Lawrence Kans. They were residents of Newton while Mr. Marquis served two terms as Jasper county treasurer. The greater part of their life however, was spent at Colfax, with the exception of a few years at Mitchellville where she served as an officer at the State Training School for Girls.
She was one of the first group to finish the high school course of the Colfax schools, completing the course in 1887. She was an honorary member of the Colfax high school Alumni Association.
She was a charter member of Rose of Sharon Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star and was honored at the fiftieth anniversary of the Chapter a few years ago. She was an early member of Chapter BA of the P.E.O. Sisterhood; enjoyed to the fullest extent her membership in the Memorial Club and prior to her last illness had the honor of being the first woman ever to serve the Colfax Presbyterian church as an elder.
She was preceded in death by her son Jess Marquis in 1931 and husband in 1939. She is survived by one son, Lieut. Commander George Marquis, M.C.U.S.N.R., now on duty for his country and stationed in Chicago, 2 daughters-in-law, Mrs. George Marquis, who has been her aid and confidant through the many weeks of her last illness, and Mrs. Irene Marquis of Sterling, Ill., four grandchildren, Mary Marquis of Sterling, Ill., Esther, George Jr., and Martha Marquis of Des Moines.
Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon from the Presbyterian church at Colfax at 2:00 o’clock with Rev. Duncan MacLennan of Des Moines and Rev. H. H Wybenga of Colfax officiating.
Music was provided by Miriam Weirick, Joan Sayre, Barbara Keipp and Mary Elizabeth Bell, with Mrs. S. E. Tennant accompanist. Mrs. H. W. Wood, Mrs. W C. Crisman and Mrs. B. F. Van Dyke had charge of the flowers.
Pallbearers were H. E. Bell, W. C. Crisman, B. A. Brown, B. F. Van Dyke, Fred Sayre and Charles Tripp.
Interment was in Highland cemetery.
At 2:00 o’clock Tuesday afternoon members of Chapter BA of the P.E.O. Sisterhood gathered at the Cutter-Hartnett Chapel, where their ritualistic service was given. The Eastern Star attended the services at the Presbyterian church Wednesday afternoon in a body.
(photo accompanied the obituary)
Source: Colfax Tribune; Thursday, December 24, 1942