Lillian E. Hansen (1889-1926)

HANSEN

Posted By: Debra Scott Hierlmeier (email)
Date: 11/18/2008 at 11:27:01

Mrs. Otto [Lillian Elizabeth] Hansen 1899-1926

The entire community was saddened when the news spread early Monday morning that Mrs. Otto J. Hansen had passed away at the Jennie Edmundson Hospital at Council Bluffs.

Mrs. Hansen became seriously ill last Thursday and was immediately taken to the hospital and operated upon for appendicitis, but it was too late, the appendix had ruptured and poisoned the system. She made a brave fight for life and everything humanly possible was done for her, but of no avail. Providence decreed otherwise. Her family remained at her bedside until the end came Monday morning at 1:30 o’clock. While she and her many friends prayed that her life might be spared, yet for some unaccountable reason to us, it was best for God to answer the prayers according to His love and wisdom, and reminding us of the final words of Christ’s prayer in Gethsemane when he said, “Nevertheless not as I will but as thou wilt.” Matt 20:30

Lillian Elizabeth Karstens was born in Shelby County, Iowa, November 21, 1899, and died May 10, 1926, aged 26 years, 5 months, and 19 days. She was the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry C. Karstens, and was married to Otto Julius Hansen on March 6, 1921. The immediate relatives left to mourn this untimely separation are her husband, her two little boys, Oliver James, aged 3, and Donald Eugene aged 10 months, her father and mother, her sister, Marthabelle, two( ?) brothers: Charles and Walter, and Laverne Olsen all at home.

The funeral services were held on Wednesday afternoon at the Presbyterian church of which she was a member. She and her husband were received into full fellowship of the church on Easter Sunday and both of the children baptized. They were among the first to express their desire to declare their faith in Christ by this public expression.

The high esteem and love for Mrs. Hansen was evidenced on Wednesday by the great gathering of friends and relatives at the house and also at the church. Several hundred were not able to gain admittance to the church. An unusually large number also accompanied the remains to the Avoca cemetery where the interment was made.

The host of friends also tried to express their sympathy by the profusion of beautiful flowers. They were a wonderful tribute to a beautiful life. A quartette composed of Sam Garlow, C.H. Vierck, Mrs. George Preston, and Mrs. Gale Penrod with Mrs. Robert True at the piano, sang the selections, “Nearer My God to Thee” : Face to Face” and “Sometime We’ll Understand. Earl Watson also sang a solo at the request of the departed, “Lead Thou My Soul” by Perry.

Rev H.E. Kilmer spoke on the “The Mystery of God’s Providence.”

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