Philena Gardner Nolte (1956)

NOLTE, GARDNER, PALMER, MILLS, HILL, ELLETT, CAMPBELL, FOUNTS

Posted By: Ida Morse (email)
Date: 9/16/2006 at 21:01:07

Earlham Library Obituaries, March 1956
Earlham, Iowa

MRS PHILENA NOLTE

Philena Gardner was born May 7, 1869 in Osceola county, near Ashton, Iowa. She was the seventh of the nine children of Ashel and Elizabeth Gardner, and the last survivor of the family.

She grew to womanhood near the town of her birth. It was here she met Thomas Christopher Nolte and was united with him in marriage on March 17, 1886. To this union three children were born, one passed away in infancy, and Clyde who passed away two years ago.

Chris and Phila Nolte started their new home in Osceola county, but in 1890 they moved to a farm in the Bear Creek neighborhood in Dallas county.

On retiring from the farm they moved to Dexter, but in a short time moved to Earlham, which place had since been her home until the time of her death.

Phila was a birthright member of Friends and was ever faithful to their principles. For a number of years she was a member of the Ministry and Oversight body of the church, often served as pianist, and worked on various committees, or wherever she was needed. At the time of her passing she was a member of the Earlham Friends Meeting. As long as health permitted she was a regular attended of all the services of the church.

One of her hobbies was memorizing and reciting poetry. Many of her friends spoke of the enjoyment they derived from hearing her recite the poems. Even after losing her eyesight she continued to memorize poems as her relatives or friends read them to her.

For the last several years she has been in failing health and for the last two years she has been totally blind, but as was characteristic of her, she never complained.

On Sunday afternoon, March 25, 1956, she passed quietly away at her home in Earlham, at the age of 86 years, eight months and 18 days.

During the last week she had not been as well as usual, but her passing was rather sudden.

She is survived by her daughter, Gladys Palmer, her daughter-in-law, Lottie Nolte; five grandchildren, Pauline Mills, Frances Hill, Helen Ellett of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Margaret Campbell and Delmar Founts of Des Moines; and ten great grandchildren, besides other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services were held at the Earlham Friends church on Wednesday, March 29, with the local pastor, L. Willard Reynolds in charge. Interment was in the Earlham cemetery.
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Winterset Madisonian, April 4, 1956, Pg 5
Winterset, Iowa

MRS. PHILENA NOLTE BURIED AT EARLHAM

Funeral services were held March 27 from the Friends church in Earlham for Mrs. Philena Nolte, whose death occurred there Sunday, March 25. The Rev. L. Willard Reynolds, pastor of the church conducted the services. Burial was made in the Earlham cemetery.

Mrs. Nolte who was 86 years of age, had been in failing health for a number of years, and was blind for the two years preceding her death. She was the former Philena Garner, daughter of Ashel and Elizabeth Gardner. She was born in Osceola county on May 7, 1869, but had lived the past 30 years in Madison county.

Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Gladys Palmer; five grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren. Her husband, and one son, Clyde Nolte, preceded her in death, as did an infant son.

Gravestone Photo
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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