Evelyn Marie Leeper (1928)

LEEPER

Posted By: Linda Brittain (email)
Date: 2/7/2006 at 10:00:05

Winterset Madisonian, Winterset, Iowa
December 20, 1928 - page 1

Death of Evelyn Leeper

Earlham. December 24. Special - One of the largest funerals was that of Sunday for Miss Evelyn Leeper, 14 year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Leeper, of Penn Center, who died Friday noon from the results of burns from a gasoline explosion, which occurred at her home Tuesday morning. The service was held at the Early Chapel church with the Rev. Hastie officiating, assisted by Rev. Freeman of Panora, a former pastor, and the Rev. A. N. Simpson. Interment was made in the Penn Center cemetery.

The accident which ended fatally, was described as follows: Evelyn went to the basement to get a can, in which they could put some gasoline for their car, so that they could take some neighbors home. It seems that a day or two previously, the Leepers had filled the gasoline engine to do the washing and a small portion was left in the can. Evelyn, not knowing this, took the can and on the way upstairs, struck a match, a spark of which fell into the funnell that had been left in the can. This caused the explosion and the flames were between her and the door. Mrs. Leeper could not get to her, but threw a bucket of water and put out the fire, and wrapped a comfort about the girl and smothered the flames. She was taken to Stuart for medical treatment and was later taken home. The fire and fumes had affected her internally and she passed away Friday.
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Earlham Library Collection, Earlham, Iowa
December 1928

Evelyn Marie Leeper

Evelyn Marie, eldest child of Lloyd and Faye Leeper, entered this earthly life on April 10, 1914 and on December 21, 1928 passed into the life eternal.

Evelyn grew up carefree and happy, much as other children grow. She took up her place in the school and community life and enjoyed above all the task of being a "big sister" to the little ones in the home. We here insert her mothers tribute: "Evelyn was a sweet lovable girl in her home life. Always doing her work in a most happy way; always wanting to do things as mamma and daddy would want her to do it. Never caring whether it was like she wished to do it. She will be remembered especially as being so dear and kind to the two little boys in our home. She could scarcely wait till Friday night when she could clasp them in her arms and love them, she indeed was a true little sister and daughter." Little did we think that so soon she would be called to a life of greater service in the Heavenly Home.

Always in Sunday School and church, Evelyn from infancy grew into the life of the church and at the age of 8 years in natural obedience, gave her heart to God and united with the Early Chapel Church.

Always faithful and active in Sunday School and Christian Endeavor work, Evelyn's most remarkable talent lay in her gift of song and playing the piano. Her greatest charm was shown in her modest unassuming manner in giving of herself in song and her sweet voice will ever call back to her friends and her loved ones.

She leaves a grief and lonliness her father and mother, sister Mildred and three younger brothers, Harold, Richard and Russell Wayne, grandparents, many relatives and a host of friends are left who will always cherish Evelyn's memory as a precious heritage.

Gravestone Photo
 

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