Davis, Maude Bortell 1876-1973

DAVIS, BORTELL, NOON, HAYES, NEELY, BUMP

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 5/26/2010 at 17:52:48

The Grinnell Herald-Register (Grinnell, Iowa) Oct. 1973

RITES SET FOR MAUDE DAVIS

Mrs. Maude Bortell Davis, 97, one of Grinnell's oldest citizens, died Sunday morning, Oct. 7, at Friendship Manor Nursing Home, where she had made her home the past 2 1/2 years.

The daughter of William and Susan Noon Bortell, she was born May 23, 1876, in Grinnell. She attended the Grinnell schools and was the last surviving member of the class of 1894. She was graduated from the former Cedar Falls Normal School and began a long teaching career at Traer, Iowa. Later she came to the Grinnell school system where she was a member of the junior high faculty for 35 years, teaching history and geography.

Mrs. Bortell was the oldest member of the Grinnell United Methodist Church and had been a member of the church for 83 years. She served as past president of the W.S.C.S. of the church and organized several Sunday school classes. She was a member of the National Retired Teachers Association and a member of Beulah Chapter No. 47, Order of Eastern Star. Earlier in life she served as worthy matron of the Eastern Star at Morrowville, Kan.

Mrs. Davis was preceded in death by her husband, Glen, Sept. 5, 1943. She also was preceded in death by five brothers and sisters, Mrs. Laura Hayes, Mrs. Kate Neely, Mrs. Hattie Bump, Ervin Bortell, and Rebecca Bortell.

Funeral services for Mrs. Davis will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Grinnell United Methodist Church, with the Rev. John W. McCallum, pastor of the church, officiating. Burial will be in Hazelwood Cemetery, with the Smith Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Grinnell United Methodist Church.