William Peter Thomsen (1928)

COMPTON, JENSEN, JURGENSEN, MCKIBBEN, SCHAFER, THOMSEN

Posted By: Linda Brittain
Date: 12/2/2005 at 18:13:18

Earlham Echo
Earlham, Iowa
Thursday, April 26, 1928
Page 1

Funeral of Wm. Thomsen Sunday is Occasion of Remarkable Community Demonstration. Life of Industry and Promise Stricken at Zenith of Its Usefulness

A gathering that completely overwhelmed the capacity of the Presbyterian church, and for that matter a church many times as large, paid last tribute to the memory of William Thomsen Sunday afternoon. Their response was unmistakable. They came to pay the silent tribute of humanity to its beloved dead, to youth stricken in its prime, to a boy who has been a common friend to all, commanding their respect and love by his sturdy manhood. Wm. Thomsen never made an enemy. His was one of those sweet, kindly natures which inspired confidence to all associates. He was always the same—a consistent character. He was of a serious disposition, withal he had his whimsical side, had never an ill word to say of any of his fellow, and never misused his strength. He remains in memory as our ideal of the American farm lad, his eyes fixed not on the stars, but on the humble destiny of hard work, competent for the task of wrestling a living from nature no matter what the handicap. Such spirit to strive, such will to conquer is what distinguishes America from her less powerful neighbors today.

The tragic circumstances surrounding the death of Wm. Thomsen together with his wide acquaintance of the old and new homes and that of the young wife resulted in a funeral gathering that probably surpassed that of any similar rite in the community. Far more people stood outside the church than within, and almost an hour was required for these to pass in silent and tearful review past the opened casket. Cut down in the prime of his young manhood, he lay as if asleep. Death had passed over him lightly, his features untouched by the travel of his last hours on earth. Not for him, sickness, old age, worldly cares. It had been given him to die as heroes die, his life at the high tide, his happiness complete. Death had been unkind only to those who loved him, the wife of a few weeks, father, mother and sisters. Sometimes cheer will come to them because their memory of his is that of the boy who went out in the morning full of strength and joy of life. Death in such guise is not defeat but triumph, and the parting but a brief interlude in the mysterious drama of eternity.

Rev. Lillie, the minister in charge of the service, received inspiration for his remarks from the 11th Chapter of John, verse 7. "What I do ye know not now, but ye will know later.” It is beyond the grasp of man to understand the workings of Divine providence and the plan is somehow for the best, and our faith must be unfaltering no matter how severe the trial or cruel the test of life.

A further service was held at the cemetery, and the body was laid at rest in Earlham cemetery. Close friends acted as pallbearers, Verne Harris, John Hugin, Chas. Mleynek, Ernest Marquardt, Wm. Boos and Wm. Martens. The following obituary was read at the funeral service:

William Peter Thomsen

William Peter Thomsen was born in Boone County, Iowa, October 30, 1897. In early infancy he received the sacrament of Holy Baptism in the Lutheran Church at Bouton, Ia.

In 1910 the Thomsen family moved to Madison County, Iowa. Here William was confirmed in the faith of the Evangelical Church, becoming a member of Trinity Church, in Jefferson Township. Of this church he remained a member until his death.

On the 15th day of February, 1925, he was united in the bonds of holy wedlock to Miss Eva McKibben of Earlham. This happy union was suddenly terminated last Thursday, April 19th when Mr. Thomsen was fatally injured in a runaway while plowing. He passed away the same day shortly after reaching the hospital in Des Moines, his age being 30 years, 5 month, 19 days.

Besides his sorrowing wife, Mr. Thomsen leaves to mourn his untimely death his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Thomsen, four sisters, Mrs. Dora Jorgensen, Mrs. Mary Jensen, Mrs. Emma Compton and Mrs. Frieda Schafer, and other relatives. He was a quiet, unassuming, hardworking young man, a dutiful son and loving husband, highly esteemed by all who knew him and his sad death is mourned not only by the relatives, but also by his fellow church members, as well as the entire community.

Funeral services, conducted by the Rev. C. Lillie, pastor of the Trinity Lutheran Church, were held at the Presbyterian Church at Earlham and the body was laid to reset in Earlham cemetery.

Card of Thanks

We wish to thank our many friends and neighbors for their kindness, sympathy and helpfulness given during our recent bereavement and loss of our dear husband, and son and brother, also for the beautiful floral offerings. We also give our heartfelt thanks to Rev. Bock and his congregation for the use of their church.

Mrs. Wm. Thomsen
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Thomsen
Mr. and Mrs. Julius Jensen
Mrs. and Mrs. Marion Compton
Mrs. and Mrs. Herman Schafer
Mrs. Dorothy Jurgensen

Gravesite
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen