Carrie Estella Bates Swartfager (1860-1931)

BATES, SWARTFAGER, WHEELER, WEST, WARD, BUTTERFIELD, DRURY, SHEPPARD

Posted By: Angela Baum (email)
Date: 9/28/2009 at 13:56:12

The following is from an unknown newspaper clipping

Obituary-Mrs. George Swartfager

Carrie Estella Bates was born near Watertown, New York, January 31, 1860, and passed away at her home in Ankeny, Iowa, Tuesday evening, March 24, 1931, aged 71 years, 1 month, and 24 days.

She was the daughter of C.W. and J.C. Bates, and moved to Iowa with her parents in February 1871, and settled in Polk County where she resided the remainder of her life. She was united in marriage to George H Swartfager, December 24, 1881, and to this union five children were born, all residing in or near Ankeny. She leaves to mour her dparture, her husband, Mrs. Olive Wheeler, Mrs. Georgia West, Orren Swartfager, Mrs. Cora Ward, and Fred Swartfager; three sisters and one brother. Mrs. Cora Butterfield, Mrs. Delia Drury, Herbert Bates, and Mrs. Minnie Sheppard, eleven grand children and a host of other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Swartfager was a character member of the First Congregational church of Ankeny, also a member of the order of Rebekahs, where she could be found with a ready hand to help and assist the needy.

Her going has left an empty place in the hearts of her family and friends which will never be filled. The vacant chair and her seat by the window will be a sad reminder of the happy days she spent with her family.

The funeral services were held on Thursday afternoon in the Congregational church, conducted by the pastor, Rev Shult, assisted by Dr. Bachman and Rev Habliston. The Rebeckah Lodge of which the deceased was a member, conducted their funeral services also. Interment was made in the Oralabor cemetery.

The beautiful floral offerings and the church filled to the overflowing testied to the high esteem in which the Mrs. Swartfager was held by her friends and acquaintances of this community.

The neighbors and many friends of the Swartfager family extend to the breaved family their heartfelt sympathies in their hour of sorrow.

Those from a distance attending the services were: Mr. and Mrs. Harry Huser, of Sac City, Mrs. Minnie Huser of Sac City, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Jennings of Boone, Dr. and Mrs. Butterfield of Dallas Center, and Miss Marjorie Boozel of Iowa City.

Card of Thanks

The Swartfager family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to their neighbors and friends for th kindness shown to them during the sickness, death and burial of their loved one, also for the beautiful floral offerings.