Risse, Mary Althea 1886-1934

RISSE, DAVIDSON, ADKINS, HUTSON, MATTESON, RASCH, BOLANDER

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 5/19/2010 at 12:35:19

The Grinnell Herald (Grinnell, Iowa) June 25, 1934

OBITUARY OF MRS. THEODORE RISSE

Mary Althea Davidson, the daughter of William and Margaret Davidson, departed this life Saturday, May 19, 1934, at 3:20 p.m. at Mt. Pleasant.

She was born May 13, 1886, at Guernsey, Iowa, and at the time of her death had reached the age of 48 years and six days.

Mary attended the public schools at Guernsey, Montezuma and Grinnell. In 1903 she came to Grinnell with her parents and has lived here continuously. She worked at the Morrison-Ricker glove factory and the Spaulding carriage factory.

On Sept. 16, 1907 she was united in marriage to Theodore H. Risse and to this union six children were born.

Those remaining to mourn her are her husband and her children, Delmar W. of Clarksville; Mable M. Adkins, Walter M., Theodore H. Jr., and Arthur R. all of Grinnell. A son, James Roy, preceded his mother in death April 25, 1925. There also remain one grandchild, Donald Gene Adkins; four sisters, Mrs. Lillie A. Hutson of Laramie, Wyo., Mable E. Matteson of Long Beach, Calif., Mrs. Alice I. Rasch of Fraser, Mich., and Mrs. Bessie R. Bolander of Long Beach, Calif., besides many relatives and a host of friends. Mrs. Margaret M. Davidson, her mother, living at Long Beach, Calif., passed away at Grinnell Jan. 20, 1933, while making a visit at the Risse home.

Mary was a devoted wife and a mother in every sense of the word and considered her family duties as of first importance. While yet in early life she united with the United Presbyterian church, and later attended the Congregational church at Grinnell, Iowa. She was much interested in church work, Parent-Teacher and the Woman's Club activities, and took an active part in the latter organization.

Her last illness had confined her to her bed since about Nov. 15, 1933, and with all that could be done for her, she gradually failed from then on until she was called by her heavenly Father. The cause of her death was pulmonary tuberculosis.

The services were held at Smith's Home for Funerals at 2:30 p.m., May 22, 1934, conducted by Rev. Robert Inglis, who used for the Scriptures Psalms 25:1-22; 46:1-3; 61:1-4 and spoke as follows:

"The events of life impress us with the ever-recuring struggle between God and the world. There is so much pain, sadness, and evil from which we seek relief and release. Over against the troubles of this world, which so frequently seem to fall most bitterly upon the least deserving, we need the strength that comes from God, from God who hates the sufferings of men and women, and who loves us most when we are in greatest need. Perhaps we gather together here as friends and neighbors to seek the rock that is higher than we are when our hearts are overwhelmed. It ought to be a comfort to us to know that in our sorrow and loneliness God's great love overshadows us, and that during the years of suffering for Mrs. Risse God has shared her suffering. God is on the side of our human need against everything that robs us of joy and beauty.

"We must stand in awe before the costliness of life. We think of the sufferings of Christ for us. We think of those who upheld the higher ideals, who struggled for the better life of men, who in one way or another sacrificed themselves that those of us who come after should have better opportunities. We think of the costliness of motherhood. Surely we dare not treat these lives of ours as though they are of little concern and that little our own. Even Christ is incomplete unless we embody his spirit in our lives and help make his spirit supreme in the world. And our mothers who have poured their lives into ours can only find the fulfillment and joy of their lives, sometimes in their broken lives, in our faithfulness to them and their hopes for us. Without us their lives are not made perfect.

"It is natural that words of appreciation for our friend and loved one should be spoken at this time, and yet they are quite unnecessary. Each one of us has his own treasure chest of memories. Recall her as friend, neighbor, companion and mother. Each word suggests a host of beautiful thoughts to you.

"We think of this day as a day of parting. I wonder if it is not more truly a beginning of closer fellowship. Jesus said that he could not stay with his disciples always but he would send them the Comforter, the spirit of Truth. His body was removed from them but his spirit remained with them. Mrs. Risse is relieved of the burden of her body. She is no longer localized in a certain building and a certain room. Rather, being with God, she like Him, is near us always.

Are there not intimations of relief, confidence and peace in the words of the Psalmist: Thou hast been a refuge for me, a strong tower from the enemy. I will dwell in Thy tabernacle forever: I will take refuge in the covert of Thy wings."

Two selections, "Abide with Me' and "Lead Kindly Light" were beautifully rendered by Richard Kunel.

The pallbearers were Clarence Chamberlain, Clarence Stark, Charley Dexter, Floyd Garver, Ray Wenger and Mayo Wherry.

Those from out of town attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. William Miller of North English; Delmar W. Risse of Clarksville; Mr. and Mrs. Harlan Hillman and Margaret of Deep River; Mrs. George Eisele of Barnes City; Mr. and Mrs. Chris Baltisberger of Montezuma; Miss Viola Dougherty of Brooklyn; Mr. Frank Dougherty, Mrs. Mell Clark, Mrs. Leota Shedenhelm and daughter, Leota, of Ladora; Mr. and Mrs. Herman Shroeder, Mrs. Earl Rose, Mr. and Mrs. Emmett Taylor, Mrs. Winnie Wherry, Mayo Wherry, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Benesh and Lyle of Guernsey; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Spading, Mrs. Charles Eisele, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Spading, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Eisele of Malcom.

The large attendance at the funeral and the many acts of kindness and floral tributes attested to the esteem and respect in which Mary was held by her friends, neighbors and relatives.

She was laid to rest at Hazelwood cemetery beside her dear departed James Roy, whose departure she always deeply felt.

Rev. Robert Inglis fittingly closed the service by the reading of the 13th chapter of First Corinthians and prayer.

CARD OF THANKS

We desire to express our heartfelt thanks to the relatives, friends, neighbors, and organizations that so generously extended their sympathy and assistance to us in the laying away of our loved one to her last resting place. The many kind acts and beautiful floral offerings presented to her memory will always be revered by us.
Theodore H. Risse.
Delmar, Walter, Theodore, Jr.,
and Arthur.
Mr. and Mrs. Wathal Adkins
and Donald Gene.