Black, Elsie Ermena 1883-1922

BLACK, REITER

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 12/12/2012 at 07:58:07

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; Dec. 19, 1922

ELSIE ERMENA REITER BLACK

Elsie Ermena Reiter, daughter of M.P. and Estella Reiter, was born in Grinnell, Iowa, May 18th 1883, and died December 15th, 1922. Very early in life she united with the Methodist Church, and during all the remainder of her life was a faithful worker in every good word and work, whether connected with the church or not.

On March 25th, 1914, she was united in marriage to Frank W. Black, and since that time they have lived at their farm home on West Sixth Avenue. She leaves to mourn her loss her husband, father and mother, and a large number of relatives, besides a host of friends.

In the death of Mrs. Black the community loses one of its really beautiful Christian characters, for she lived a noble, quiet, consistent Christian life. Her life was a lovely life, her death a beautiful death, for she approached her last great hour as calmly and as trustfully as a little child comes to its mother for sweet and refreshing sleep. Fully conscious to the last, there was no wavering or drawing back, but a steady going on to meet the rewards of the deeds done in the body.

A short time before her death she repeated the Twenty-third Psalm, and when she came to that portion where it speaks of the "Valley of the Shadow of Death," with a voice that rang out triumphantly, she said "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me." Truly it were worth a lifetime of Christian effort, to so calmly, so peacefuly, and trustfully meet death.

Those who have known Mrs. Black will always remember her cheerful, attractive manner and will associate her life with a real sweetness of disposition which made her a joy and a cheer wherever she was.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the Methodist church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. W.C. Wasser. Pall bearers were: George Bradley, Joe Schwab, Alden Dempster, Roscoe Dempster, Oliver Bean, and P.L. Garrigan. The remains were laid to rest in Hazelwood.