Lee, Margaret Leslie (Coutts) 1852-1933

LEE, COUTTS, FOWLER, MCLEAN, BATTIE, LINCOLN

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 2/14/2010 at 08:53:19

Grinnell, Iowa newspaper dated July 21, 1933

AN OBITUARY OF MRS. JOHN LEE

Margaret Leslie Coutts, daughter of Adam and Helen Coutts, was born at Insch, Aberdeenshire, Scotland on February 10, 1852, was educated in the public schools and spent her girlhood and early womanhood in that country. In June 1874, accompanied by her brother, Robert, she came to this country and settled in Poweshiek county.

Shortly after coming to this country she came to Grinnell and entered the service of Mrs. J.B. Grinnell, where she remained most of the time until her marriage to John A. Lee, which took place September 15, 1881. The newly married couple established their home in Grinnell, where they continued to live until 1918. Her wedding day was on the same day as that of her brother, Robert Coutts, and both young couples celebrated the event by the gathering of their many friends that evening.

Into this home were born six children. The oldest died in infancy. John, the oldest boy, died in 1889. Mary, who became the wife of Harry Fowler, died in 1908, at the age of 24. Harvey, now living in Natches, Wash., Margaret, now Mrs. Archie McLean, Burley, Idaho, and Frank of Mason City, survive a loving and faithful mother. In early life Mrs. Lee really and truly dedicated herself to the service of Jesus Christ and became one of His faithful followers. After coming to Grinnell she united with the Baptist church and remained a loyal member and liberal supporter of that church during her residence in this city.

In 1918 the family moved to Burley, Idaho and settled near that city which has been their home ever since. Mrs. Lee has been in poor health for the past year. Some two months ago she planned to come back to Iowa to die among her friends with whom she had been so many years associated, but her physical condition prevented her from making the journey.

She passed away at her home in Delco, Idaho, July 15, 1933, at the age of 81 years, 5 months, 5 days. She leaves to mourn her departure her aged husband with whom she had lived almost fifty-two years, her daughter, Mrs. Archie McLean, her two sons, Harvey of Natches, Wash., and Frank of Mason City, Iowa; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; three brothers, Robert Coutts of Grinnell, William P. Coutts of Kellogg, James Coutts of Newaygo, Mich.; and two sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Battie of Scotland, Mrs. Mary Lincoln of Grinnell, and many warm friends.

Funeral services were held in the church at Delco, of which she was for several years the caretaker, conducted by her pastor, and the body laid to rest in distant Idaho. The sad thing that comes to the hearts of her friends and relatives here is that conditions were such that the body could not be brought back and laid in our beautiful Hazelwood cemetery, where she could be laid by the side of her children, who have passed on before.