Newton, Rachel Marthina 1839-1906

NEWTON, OLSON, MELAND, PETERSON, IVERSON, SHAHAN

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 3/31/2013 at 08:04:36

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; May 25, 1906

OBITUARY.

RACHEL MARTHINA OLSON NEWTON.

Rachel Marthina Olson Newton was born Sept. 22, 1839, at Bergen, Norway, and died at her home in Grinnell May 17, 1906, at 10 p.m., aged 66 years, 7 months and 25 days.

She was the daughter of Ole and Ellen Olson, and left Norway with her parents at the age of sixteen.

Nov. 12, 1860, she was married to Charles Newton, at Primrose, Wisconsin. This was a long and happy union. Mr. and Mrs. Newton came to Iowa in 1864 and settled near Grinnell. In 1893 they moved into Grinnell and have since lived in their beautiful home in the southeast part of the city.

To Mr. and Mrs. Newton were born ten children, two of whom died in childhood, Cornelius O., at the age of six years, and Emma S., at the age of fifteen months.

The devoted husband, a sister, eight children and eleven grandchildren survive her to mourn her loss. The children are: Mrs. Anna C. Meland, of Pelican Rapids, Minn.; Mrs. Ellen O. Peterson, of Ellsworth, Ia.; Thomas L. Newton, of Santa Cruz, Cal.; Mrs. Clara E. Iverson, of Grinnell; Mrs. Josephine G. Shahan, of Grinnell; Lucy S., Rachel M. and Lenna O., also of Grinnell. The sister is Mrs. T.M. Newton of this city.

Mrs. Newton was converted in 1869 and united with the Norwegian Lutheran church. She was a true Christian and a devoted wife and mother. Her many acts of love and helpfulness in the community, and her noble family, to whom she was so deeply devoted, testify to her Christian worth.

Her last days and nights were filled with suffering, yet she bore it all bravely, calmly, and with unwavering faith in Him to whom she had committed all.

The funeral services were held from the home on Tuesday May 22 at 2:30 p.m. All of the children were present except Thomas who had been at the bedside of his mother only a few weeks before but had returned to his western home.

The services were conducted in English by Rev. W.W. Woodburn and in Norwegian by her beloved pastor, Rev. S.M. Stenby of Clear Lake, Iowa. The loving daughters bore the casket to its resting place where the body awaits the final summons of the King when He calls His own to the marriage supper of the Lamb.