Dempster, Nellie E. 1877-1961

DEMPSTER, MADDEN, GREER, SHERMAN

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 7/24/2010 at 17:02:44

The Herald-Register (Grinnell, Iowa) Feb. 27, 1961

SERVICES TODAY FOR MRS. NELLIE E. DEMPSTER, 83

Mrs. Nellie E. Dempster, 83, Grinnell, widow of J.J. Dempster, died suddenly Friday afternoon at a local hospital following a brief illness.

Funeral services were held this afternoon (Monday) from the Smith Funeral Home with the Rev. Ralph Beebe of the Mayflower Home officiating. Organ music was by Mrs. Rhee Auman.

Serving as pallbearers were Raymond Harris, Clarence Vogt, Harry Ryan, Elmer Iverson, Dick Sears, and F.W. Tomasek. Burial was in Chester cemetery.

She was the daughter of James Henry and Mary Jane Madden Greer and was born near Long Grove, Iowa, on July 6th, 1877. She attended the rural schools near her home.

On Jan. 8th, 1902, she was united in marriage with John James Dempster at Eldridge and to this union two sons were born: John Gaylord Dempster and Keith Greer Dempster, both of Rt. 1, Grinnell.

Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Dempster moved to Poweshiek county and farmed for many years in Chester township.

Mrs. Dempster was a member of the Congregational church and was active in church affairs. She was a charter member of the Poweshiek County Farm Bureau and had served as women's committee chairman. Also, she took pride in furthering the 4-H youth program in the county and was instrumental in its growth. She was also a member of the Daughters of American Colonists.

Preceding her in death were her parents and her husband, who died in June of 1948.

Mrs. Dempster is survived by her two sons, four grandchildren, nine great grandhchildren, and one sister, Mrs. Frank Sherman of Altoona.