Minnie Beals (1924)

BEALS

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 10/14/2007 at 08:37:53

Earlham Library Obituary Collection
Earlham, Iowa
April 1924

Minnie Beals

In Memoriam

On Aug. 27, 1897, there came to the home of Thomas J. and Ruth J. Beals of Bear Creek, a little gift in the form of a tiny baby girl which so soon grew into a sunbeam which spread its radiant beams where’er she went. When three years of age she came with her parents to Earlham where she has since lived. At about six years of age she was taken sick which hindered her school work for some time but her cheery smile was yet ever present. She entered the Earlham schools and again before the close of her Freshman year in high school she was forced to stop on account of illness, yet so anxious for an education she studied and kept up her work although unable to sit up. In the fall of 1920 she again returned to school and though frail as she was through the kind help of her sister Amy and Prof. Steeves she received her one great desire, a diploma from the high school, graduating with high honors in 1921. Again Minnie was taken ill and unable to leave her bed for many months, yet her thoughts were of school and she hoped she might some day be able to enter college. The first of May, 1923 she was taken very ill and has been almost helpless ever since, suffering much yet always so sweet and patient, and no matter how severe the pain she would always have a smile for those about her and was very thoughtful of her invalid mother. Minnie was converted at a meeting held by Rev. Luce some fifteen years ago. About a year ago she began a Bible study course from the Moody Bible Institute at Chicago. Minnie was very anxious to know the Bible better and during her long illness kept her Bible by her pillows. She also belonged to the Berean Band of Moody Bible Institute whose object was to learn a Bible verse each week and she never failed to learn her verse. She was also a member of the “Bible Revival Partnership of Prayer” which was for the spread of the pocket testament league. Minnie was a lover of flowers and was never without them during her last illness and so often expressed her appreciation of them and other greetings her friends were constantly sending her and which helped her so much to bear long months of suffering. For ten years Minnie has helped support two little girls in Jamaica. She was always glad to give missionary money to help Sada Stanley and at the time of her death was helping support a baby girl in Miss Stanley’s Home. Minnie was a friend to old and young. Her radiant cheerfulness was a marvel to all about her. During her last illness she had often expressed her willingness to go. Among her favorite songs were, “On the Way to Calvary”, and “There is Rest for the Weary.” She often remarked that it just seemed to lift her to Higher ground. On April 6, 1924, as the sun began to lower in the west, the sunshine life of this beloved one went out from us only to begin a life in a brighter land, joining a little sister Rosa who passed away at the age of nine years.

She leaves to mourn their loss a loving father and mother who have ever been ready to do anything for her comfort; one brother, W. S. Beals, of Wisconsin, who has done what his hand found to do for her; Amy, although unable to sit up much of the time, was ever planning for the happiness of Minnie; and Jennie, who it seemed the real care of home and loved ones rested on, never complaining and ever untiring watching day and night, ever ready to go at the first call from them.

Funeral services were held at the home Wednesday afternoon at two o’clock, all Earlham places of business remaining closed between the hours of two and three as a mark of respect. The service was conducted by Rev. Dewitt Foster, of Des Moines.

The pall bearers were Fred Fry, Arthur Allen, Alva Carey, D. R. Jones, Carroll McKibben and R. S. Males. Interment was in the Bear Creek Cemetery at the side of the sister Rosa.