Grace (McBride) Houseman (1947)

BRENNAN, GIBBONS, HOUSEMAN, MCBRIDE, MURRY, WILSON

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 7/20/2006 at 10:52:38

The Earlham Echo
Earlham, Iowa
Thursday, May 8, 1947

The struggle for life which she faced so courageously ended for Grace Houseman last Saturday morning, and in spite of all that kind, loving care could accomplish, her tired, wasted body, after months of suffering, finally yielded to the law of mortality.

Grace, the daughter of Joseph and Ida Wilson McBride, was born April 1, 1904 at Dexter, Iowa, and departed this life Saturday morning, May 3, at the home of her sister Myrtle, in Carlisle, where she has been for several weeks since leaving the hospital in Des Moines, where she spent several weeks with an incurable malady. Her age, at the time of her entry into the Heavenly home, was 43 years, one month and two days.

Her early school days were spent in Dexter, but the family later moved to a farm in the vicinity of Earlham and she attended the school there, graduating from the high school in 1922.

On June 24th, 1933, she was married to Gaylord Houseman, to which union five sons were born--Larry, Freddie, Richard, Billy, and Allen. The former three passed away early in life leaving only Billy and Allen to whom their mother was devoted with a tender love.

Before her marriage Grace was employed by the Meredith Publishing Company of Des Moines, and since returning to Earlham held a position in the local post office, where she endeared herself to all with whom she came in contact with her kindly smile, her gracious personality and her willingness to serve.

She was a loved member of the Friends church, were she will be sadly missed, but a beautiful life like hers does not end in death, and although she rests from her labors, she still lives in the hearts and lives of those who loved her and among whom she labored.

She was a member of Marguerite Rebekah Lodge of Earlham and a Past Noble Grand of that order. She was also a member of the Three Link Club and was affiliated with the order of the Eastern Star Chapter in Earlham, where she held office until her illness prevented.

She leaves to mourn their loss, her mother, two brothers, Joseph of Oelwein, and Claude of Earlham; four sisters, Mrs. Carrie Murray of Adel, Mrs. Ruby Gibbons of Redfield, Flossie of Earlham, and Mrs. Myrtle Brennan of Carlisle; two sons, Billy and Allen; many other relatives, and a host of those who have enjoyed the high privilege of her friendship. Although her suffering was, at many times, very intense, she bore it with patient fortitude and was cheerful to the end--always thoughtful and considerate for those who tried so faithfully to ease her pain and give her rest and comfort.

For us, left behind, her sun has gone down while it is yet day; for her it is the dawning. She loved her home and little family and had hoped to be spared to raise her little sons, but the kind Heavenly Father called and she obeyed the summons. His way is always best.

We shall miss her smiling face and presence, but we are held and sustained by the blending of precious memories and high hopes for grace sufficient for each step of the way up and entrance into that heavenly home where she awaits our coming.

Burial was in the Earlham cemetery.

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