Mather, William Ray 1887-1961

MATHER, ROEWE, KEES, BENEKE, DONAHUE

Posted By: Janet Schuldt, Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/18/2013 at 16:13:24

Laurens Sun, Laurens, Pocahontas, Iowa, USA Thursday, August 17, 1961

Ray Mather, 73, Dies Saturday; Rites Held, Tuesday

William Ray Mather, 73, died Saturday at Buena Vista County Hospital in Storm Lake where he was taken after suffering a stroke.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, at 11:30 a.m. at Hitchcock Funeral Home and at 2 p.m. at the Methodist Church. The Rev. R. D. Butler, pastor of the church, officiated. Mrs. Fred Forsythe and Mrs. Amos Hertz, accompanied by Mrs. H. M. Pohlman, sang "In the Garden."

Pall bearers: were Joe Roewe, Henry Roewe, E. J. Kees, R. M. Hinn, Donald G. Beneke and Darrell Korrect. Burial Was in the Laurens cemetery.

Native of Laurens

William Ray Mather, son of William and Emma Mather, was born near Laurens Nov. 3, 1887. On Nov 27, 1913, he was married to Kathryn Roewe at Laurens. Mr. Mather spent his life in the Laurens community, farming near here until 1926 when he entered the farm implement business in Laurens. In 1928 he moved to town and continued to live in the community and run the implement business until his death. Mr. Mather was a member of the Methodist Church in Laurens, the Masonic Lodge and a member of the Laurens Chamber of Commerce.

Survivors

Survivors include his wife; five children, Mary (Mrs. Glen Kees) and Robert of Laurens; Marjorie (Mrs. Ray Beneke) of Ames; William of Chicago, 111.; and Charles of Sac City; 12 grandchildren; and one sister, Mrs. Matt Donahue of Laurens. He was preceded in death by his mother and father and two brothers.