Adelia Thomsen (1896-1928)

THOMSEN

Posted By: Debra Scott Hierlmeier (email)
Date: 11/13/2008 at 21:10:51

DELLA THOMSEN (1896-1928)
Takes Own Life with Shot Gun
Very Popular Young Lady: Ill Health Cause of Sudden Rash Act

The citizens of Avoca were grief stricken Saturday morning when the news was brought to Avoca that Miss Della Thomsen had taken her own life that morning about six o’clock by shooting herself in the head with a shot gun at the home of her sister, Mrs. John Frank at Irwin, Iowa.

Miss Delia had been in poor health for several months past and everything possible for loving relatives and friends to do to relieve her was done. Early in the summer her appetite failed her and she became so weak that she was taken to the hospital in Council Bluffs for treatment and seemed to be gaining to the extent that she was taken to the home of her sister at Irwin, accompanied by a nurse. Here at times she became very depressed and discouraged.
It had been the custom of Mrs. Frank to have her sister assist her about the house and Miss Delia was preparing the breakfast for the family, while her sister was assisting with the outside chores. Before anyone missed her a shot was heard coming from the garage a short distance from the house. Investigation revealed her crumpled in the back seat of the car with the shot gun by her side. She was still holding in her hand a short piece of lath which she had used to discharge the gun. The load of shot had entered the right side of the head, killing her instantly.

The body was brought to Avoca and taken to the Blust Funeral Home where short funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock, with interment in the Avoca cemetery.

Della Thomsen was born and raised near Avoca and for several years past had assisted at several of our local stores and the telephone office. She was also a member of Prudence Rebekah lodge of this city. In these circles she endeared herself to the people of this community by her kind, considerate courtesy to all. The sudden death of a sister last January was such a shock to her sensitive nature that she could not overcome the effects which led finally to her death.
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MISS DELLA THOMSEN

Adelia Dorothy Thomsen was born October 29, 1894, and died Saturday morning, September 15, 1928 at the age of 33 years, ten months and 17 days. Funeral services were held from the Blust Funeral Home Sunday afternoon, September 16 at 2 o’clock. The services being conducted by the pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Avoca, Rev. E. a. Kurtz. Interment was made in the Avoca cemetery.

Adelia was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hans Thomsen and was born and raised on a farm near Avoca. When her widowed mother moved to Avoca she made her home with her and for some time was employed by the local telephone company and the Avoca Mercantile store. After the death of her mother several years ago, Della made her home with her sister, Mrs. Louis Harder but several months ago she went to the home of her sister, Mrs. Emma Franks where she passed away.

Miss Della, as she was generally known, was of a very helpful disposition, always trying to make herself useful and make the lives of others more cheerful. The death of her sister in January of this year wa a terrible shock to her which she could not bear. Her health became affected and she grew very nervous as time went on. She sought relief in many ways but to no avail and death relieved her of her anguish.

She leaves four sisters: Mrs. Emma Frank of Irwin Iowa; Mrs. Anna Henningsen, Mrs. Louie Harder and Mrs. Bertha Minks; and one brother Hans Thomsen all of Avoca, and many other relatives

From the Scrapbooks of Bessie Gross Gustafsen
Source: Avoca Journal Herald