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Esther Charlotte Ely

ELY, FLOOD, SELDEN

Posted By: Linda Brittain
Date: 2/3/2006 at 17:55:31

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, January 31, 1929
Page 4

Mortuary

Esther Charlotte Ely

Esther Charlotte Ely, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Ely, was born in Winterset, on September 12, 1897, and here she has spent her entire life. She passed through the schools of this city, graduating from high school. She studied at Drake University and at Iowa State Teachers college and Cedar Falls.

She taught in schools outside of Winterset for three years, then for three years in the Winterset schools. She was happy and successful in her school work and was beloved of her pupils.

Soon after the beginning of her fourth year in our schools, her health gave way and she was compelled to resign her work at Thanksgiving time, 1928. For the past five years Esther has been making a gallant fight for the return of her health. Those who have known her best and who have watched most closely her efforts, have at times marvelled at the faithfulness with which she followed the strict course laid out for her by herself and her physician. At times it seemed she was to succeed; at other times all efforts seemed of no avail. She was however, registering a gain until last spring when she suffered for a time with the flu, from which she did not seem to be able to completely recover. It has been only within the past few weeks, however, that she has gradually declined. She grew steadily worse, until on Monday evening, January 28, 1929, the spirit slipped away and the earthly life of Esther Ely was brought to a close. She had lived here for 31 years, 4 months and 16 days.

She leaves besides her father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Ely, two sisters, Mrs. S. T. Flood of Park City, Montana, and Blanche Ely, a teacher in the schools of Mason City, two brothers, Clarence of Winterset, and Ralph, who is employed at Creston. One brother, Ray Selden, died in 1905. Beside these, all who knew Esther were her friends and are saddened at her going.

Esther united with the Methodist church in 1905, under the ministry of Rev. R. W. Matheny, and while health permitted was faithful in attendance and in her interest in church work. During the time of her illness she has had much time for reading and meditating upon the Bible and its truths, and developed an unusual knowledge of the scripture. While she was ambitious to recover her health, she was also ready to say that if she could not recover, all was well. Shortly before the end came, she called the family to her bedside, assured them that the way was bright to her and asked that they meet her in heaven.
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The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, January 31, 1929
Page 1

Death of Miss Esther Ely

Miss Esther Ely, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ely, died Monday evening, January 28th, after an extended illness. Miss Ely had been afflicted for five years with tuberculosis, and while she made a valiant fight to overcome the disease, she was finally taken. She passed away at the Ely home on North First street, about six o'clock Monday evening, at the age of 31 years. She was born here, September 12, 1897.

Esther, as she was familiarly known, attended the public schools and was graduated from the high school in 1916. She attended school at Cedar Falls and taught school in Scott township and at Patterson. She was the instructor of the third grade in the South Ward for over three years and until her health compelled her to give up her chosen work. Miss Ely was a most successful teacher and she was greatly interested in her work.

The deceased suffered patiently during her illness. At times she would improve, but the results were not permanent, and she became much worse last week.

Esther is survived by her parents, two brothers; Clarence of Winterset, and Ralph of Creston, and two sisters, Miss Blanche, who is an instructor in the Mason City schools, and Mrs. Florence Flood, of Park City, Montana. A brother has preceded her in death.

The Rev. A. P. Keast conducted the funeral services at the Methodist church, Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock and burial was in the Winterset cemetery. More details of her life may be found in the mortuary published on page four.

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