Bruce, Mary Etta 1860-1927

BRUCE, PURCELL, PAYNE, HOUVENAGLE, REISS, MILLER, SMITH, NEALE, BROWN

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 4/24/2010 at 08:27:38

Grinnell Herald (Grinnell, Iowa) March 29, 1927

MRS. FRANK BRUCE DIES

Long and Useful Life Spent in This Community Reachs Its Close.

LIVED FOR MANY YEARS ON FARM NEAR GRINNELL

Funeral Services Were Held Monday Afternoon From M.E. Church.

Mary Etta Purcell was born in the state of New York Aug. 16, 1860. When but a small child she moved with her parents to Bureau county, Illinois. On June 20, 1880, she was united in marriage to Frank Bruce and came to a farm 3 miles south of Grinnell 35 years ago this month. All these years she spent in or around here with the exception of the last 3 years she spent in Des Moines. To this union 12 children were born, 3 dying in infancy. The living are Mrs. S.M. Payne and Mrs. R.J. Houvenagle of Grinnell, Mrs. A.C. Reiss of Marshalltown, Mrs. A.D. Miller, Wausau, Wis., Ira of Colfax, Mrs. Wm. Smith, Glenn, Earl and Walter of Des Moines. Mrs. Bruce was a faithful member of the M.E. church, also a worthy member of the Rebekah Lodge and Women's Relief Corps. Despite her illness the past year she was ever cheerful and greeted each one with a smile who passed her way. As a friend said, "To know her was to love her." Her one interest was in her children and grandchildren. Her children can truthfully say "No greater mother ever lived." Mrs. Bruce passed away Saturday March 26, at the home of her son Glenn. Besides her children she leaves to mourn her loss 2 sisters and 2 brothers, Mrs. E.J. Neale, Norman, Okla., Mrs. W.W. Brown, Prague, Okla., T.M. Purcell, Niss City, Kans., and J.M. Purcell, La Crosse, Kans. Also 26 grandchildren and one great grandchild, her aged mother having passed away just 2 weeks ago.

Funeral services were held from the Methodist church Monday afternoon in charge of Rev. George Blagg. Music was furnished by Mrs. Chas. Laros and Mr. Cecil Myers with Mrs. J.H. Rowe at the piano. The two songs which were sung, were "Asleep In Jesus" and "Shall We Meet At the River?"

Burial was made in Hazelwood. The pallbearers were John Evans, Charles LeRoy, George Manor, Ed Thompson, Charles Evans and George Simpson. The Rebekahs had charge of the service at the grave.