Maria Hays 1849-1928

HAYS, LUDWICK, SEXTON, SMITH, BABCOCK, KNIGHT, DERRY, DEMPSTER, LAROS

Posted By: Kimberly Breeden (email)
Date: 2/19/2008 at 13:13:46

*(Handwriiten on article: date of death 5-12-1928)

Real Mother Passes Over

Maria Ludwick, daughter of Jacob and Hester Ludwick, was born in Ripley county, Indiana, Feb 14, 1849.

Her mother died when she was 12 years old. When she was about 15 years of age she and her father and younger sister and brother came to Iowa, settling on a farm west of Grinnell.

On Feb. 16, 1860, she was united in marriage to Joseph T. Hays and moved to a farm in Chester where they resided until February, 1904, when they moved to Grinnell.

Saturday morning, May 12, she was called to her home beyond, leaving husband and six children, this being the first death in the family. Children are Wm. J. and Albert of Grinnell, Robert M. of Buhl, Idaho, Bertha Sexton of Ferguson, Lizzie Smith of Newburg and Pearl at home. There are 15 grandchildren and one great grandchild. One sister, Mrs. Jane Babcock, of Lincoln, Neb. Is the only one left of a family of 15 children.

She joined the church when quite young and on moving to Grinnell in 1904 transferred her membership to the Methodist church there. She professed and lived her religion and was ever a faithful and devoted Christian woman.

Mrs. Hays was a real home maker and an ideal mother, doing good for good’s sake and interesting herself in helping care for friends and neighbors, greatly endearing herself to all who knew her and so lived her life that she will be greatly missed.

She was a patient sufferer during her long and serious illness and was most appreciative of every act of kindness, no matter how trivial. She was cared for most tenderly by friends and loved ones who kept a constant vigil at her bedside and seemed to anticipate her every wish.

Her hospitality during life was beyond description and her sympathy and love for all was in accord with the religion she professed. The large company of people at the home Monday afternoon and the beautiful floral offerings by them is but an expression of love and high esteem in which she was held and a fitting expression of the passing of a true Christian woman.

Rev. W. S. Knight, pastor of the Methodist church at Maxwell, assisted by Rev. Mr. Derry, pastor of Sonora church conducted the services.

Rev Mr. Knight was pastor of Sonora church years ago and could speak as one who knew her life and testify to its true value and worth.

The music by Mrs. Roscoe Dempster and Charles Laros was most fitting and beautiful.

Six grandsons performed the last sad rite and laid the body to rest in the beautiful Grinnell cemetery.

(Written by Rev. W.S. Knight).

Obituary found on Online Obituary Database:
http://www.grinnell.lib.ia.us/files/obitsearch.htm
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