Lydia L (Vrooman) Gress (1854-1940)

VROOMAN, NORTON, GRESS

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 21:05:24

In the passing of Mrs. John Gress, Tuesday, April 9, 1940, Sanborn loses one of her oldest settlers in point of residency. Mrs. Gress had lived in O'Brien county 61 years, 44 years in Sanborn and 42 years in their present home in the south part of town.

Although Mrs. Gress had been failing with the years she had been in average good health until a short time before death came to her at her home Tuesday forenoon.

Lydia L. Vrooman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Vrooman was born in Ohio on February 22, 1854 and was 86 years of age. When a small child she moved with her parents to Madison, Wisc. Here she grew to womanhood. In 1875 the family moved to Steamboat Rock, Hardin county, Ia., and lived for four years. In 1879 they
came to O'Brien county and settled on a farm near Sheldon.

On May 30, 1880, she was united in marriage to John Gress, a neighbor in the pioneer country. They lived on a farm five miles north of Sheldon, moving to Sanborn in 1896, where they have since resided.

Mrs. Gress united with the local Methodist church in 1910 and while her health permitted, attended the services there. In spite of her great age- her mind was very clear and her memory good. Mrs. Gress did not have any children of her own but she delighted in mothering her three nieces and two nephews. If Mrs. Gress had lived a few more weeks, the couple would have observed their sixtieth wedding anniversary. They had been making plans for that event.

She leaves to mourn her departure, her husband, John Gress, one brother, Frank Vrooman, of Sanborn, besides nieces and nephews.

Funeral services-will be held Saturday afternoon at 1:30 at the home and at 2 o'clock in the Methodist church with the Rev. E. Stanworth conducting the rites. Burial will be in Roseland Cemetery.

Sanborn (Iowa) Pioneer, 11 Apr 1940, p4