BATHEN, Melissa Adell (Hewitt) 1851-1924

BATHEN, HEWITT, HOLBROOK, ADAMS

Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 3/29/2013 at 13:02:28

Melissa Adell (Hewitt) Bathen – May 4, 1851 – December 31, 1924

Melissa Adell Hewitt was born in Waupaca County, Wisconsin, May 4, 1851 and passed away at her home in Riceville, Iowa, December 31, 1924 at the age of 73 years, 7 months and 27 days.

She moved when a child with her parents to Lansing, Iowa by houseboat, later they moved to Waukon, Iowa.

She was united in marriage to Robert Franklin Bathen, June 23, 1875 who preceded her death, passing away April 9, 1909.

To this union one child was born, Edna May. Mr. and Mrs. Bathen moved to Riceville, Iowa, just after their marriage and with the exception of a brief period when they moved to Lansing, Iowa and Waukon, Iowa have lived in Riceville until their deaths.

Mrs. Bathen was one of the best known and respected women of this community. For many years she taught in the schools of surrounding country and in the village and was known to be a very effective and capable teacher; many of our most respected citizens were in her classes.

She was quiet, unassuming, universally liked and respected by all who knew her intimately. She received a great deal of happiness from life because she was everlastingly engaged in trying to make others happy, even when teaching she would sit up all night with the sick. Later she took up the work of nursing the sick. She was a devoted Christian, having in childhood accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Redeemer and Savior. She was loyal and loved her church, the Methodist Episcopal Church of which she was a member and as long as she was earning gave a tithe to the Lord's work.

She was actively engaged in Christian work holding Life Member Certificates in both the Women's Foreign Missionary and W.C.T.U. Societies in both of these societies and also "The Friends in Council" she took an active part and was keenly interested, attending regularly as long as she was able.
After all it is not the plundits of a great outside world that counts as much as wholesome love and respect of neighbors and friends of life long standing, and the older generation who grew up with her as well as many of the younger generation feel that her departure leaves a big gap.

She leaves to mourn her loss one daughter, Mrs. Edna May Holbrook and husband Roy, two grandchildren, Mildred Holbrook and Harold who so faithfully attended during her sickness; one brother, Edgar F. Hewitt of California; two half- brothers, Henna A. Hewitt of Minneapolis and George O. Hewitt of Antigo, Wisconsin; four half- sisters, Mrs. J. A. Markley and Mrs. J. D. Sherman both of Waukon, Iowa; Miss Lida Hewitt of California, Mrs. George Adams of Lamont, Iowa, a number of other relatives and a host of friends.

Interment was made at Riverside cemetery.