Wisecarver, Catherine Mary 1874-1956

WISECARVER, SLAVEN, MCGRATH, BRADISH, JOHNSON, FORTUNE

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 4/28/2010 at 14:52:51

Grinnell Herald-Register (Grinnell, Iowa) Jan. 7, 1957

CATHERINE MARY WISECARVER

Catherine Mary Wisecarver was born at Grinnell, Iowa, Jan. 24, 1874, and passed away at Des Moines, Iowa, Dec. 29, 1956. Six years ago she suffered a disabling stroke in her home at Grinnell, and since that time has been ably and tenderly cared for at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Bertha Bradish, of Des Moines.

She was a daughter, and one of four children, born to Peter and Mary Slaven McGrath, an early pioneer family who made their home at Grinnell in 1863. Her two brothers, Edward and Phonse McGrath, and a sister Margaret, Mrs. William Johnson, have all preceded her in death.

Mrs. Wisecarver's father, Peter McGrath, was one of the original group of men who formed the nucleus of the Catholic church in Grinnell. He was the mass server, or altar attendant, who assisted the priest at the first mass ever held at Grinnell in 1864.

Early in life her father passed away, and she was reared and educated with her two brothers and sister, by a resourceful and good mother. A vivid recollection of her childhood was the disastrous Grinnell cyclone. During the height of its fury she and her sister braced a chair against the kitchen door of their home to keep it closed, while her mother cared for an injured foot of one of the brothers. After graduating from Grinnell high school in the class of 1891, she attended normal training and became a teacher.

In July of 1897 she married Edward S. Wisecarver, eldest son of Jacob and Frances Wisecarver, who came from Scott county to reside on a farm east of Grinnell in the 1870s. All through their wedded life, Mr. Wisecarver was a congenial, loyal husband and true helpmate. In 1947 a golden wedding climaxed 50 years of wedded life, to be severed only by the passing of Mr. Wisecarver on June 5, 1956.

To them were born six children. Jacob, Nellie, and George passed away in early childhood. Of these, the first two passed away only five days apart with the dread scarlet fever of that day. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Bertha Bradish of Des Moines and Mrs. Catherine Fortune of Pontiac, Mich., and one son, Louis Wisecarver of Grinnell.

Mrs. Wisecarver's life was an open book of love, devotion and service, to her family, her church, and her many, many friends. Always hers was the choice to inspire; to lift a burden; to scatter sunshine and happiness, and in their ministry she was a master. The very young, the youth, the adult, and the aged--all were encompassed and enriched from the vast stores of her personality. All through life she manifested a deep interest in the quest for scholarship and knowledge, being a keen and interested observer to the panorama of the events of a lifetime.

Funeral services were held Jan. 2 at St. Mary's Catholic church at Grinnell, with Rev. Father John Schmitz officiating at a Requiem high mass, assisted by Rev. Father V.A. Walsh. Rosary services were held at Smith Funeral Home, Jan. 1.

Pallbearers were Daniel Hunter, William Flanagan, Raymond Wisecarver, Alfred Wisecarver, Gene Wisecarver, and Max Clements. Burial was at Calvary cemetery in Grinnell.