DUNBAR, Effie Pearl (Searles) 1882-1983

DUNBAR, SEARLES, NAGEL, MURPHY

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 4/20/2016 at 18:28:15

Effie Pearl Searles Dunbar

Effie Dunbar Funeral Held March 26 In Austin

Funeral services for Mrs. Marcus (Effie) Dunbar, 100, who died at the St. Ansgar Good Samaritan Center March 24, were held March 26 at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin, Minn, with the Rev. Harold Luecke of Lyle officiating.

She had been a resident of the Good Samaritan Center here the past eight years. A former resident of Lyle, she was born September 13, 1882, and is survived by seven great nieces and nephews, including Mrs. Richard (Lois) Nagel of Rose Creek, Minn, and a cousin, Wilfred Murphy of Lyle.

For many years Effie Pearl Searles gave faithful and loving care to her mother until her death. In her marriage, late in life, to Marcus Dunbar, she gave him the same devotion. This couple worked closely together bringing beautiful creations from plain pieces of wood until his death. Effie loved to bake cookies and write verses, but even more, to share them with others.

She was honored on the observance of her 100th birthday anniversary at the Good Samaritan Center here. As a resident, this petite lady made daily trips to others to spread cheer until her own health failed recently.

Burial was in the Rose Creek cemetery with Rev. Luecke in charge of committal services.

Mrs. Charles (Dixie) Warrington of St. Ansgar, who had exchanged many verses with Effie over the years, and considered her a true friend, wrote the following poem in her memory:

"FAREWELL"

I dreamed I saw an angel
  Descending from on high.
I dreamed I saw an angel
  Come drifting through the sky.
And then I knew the angel
  Was coming for my friend.
For Effie's time here on earth
  Had come to an end.

I thought of all the special times
  When together we had talked,
I thought of all the many times
  As down the hallway we had walked.
I thought of all the other times
  We shared a laugh or two:
With all these precious memories
  I shouldn't feel too blue.

I thought of all the love she gave
  With her sweet and special smile.
I thought of how she loved the times
  When friends stopped for awhile.
I thought of how her brown eyes glowed
  When she had her loved ones near.
Fond memories of these special times
  In her heart were held so dear.

I felt a tear come to my eye
  As the angel took her home.
I felt my heart was broken.
  Being left behind and alone.
But then my sorrow changed to joy
  When I thought of God's decree.
For someday that same angel
  Will be coming again for me.

Source: the St. Ansgar Enterprise, 7 April 1983, page 1, column 7

Credit: Mitch Helle