Rinefort, Lucinda Henrietta 1844-1904

RINEFORT, STROMER, KELLING

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 3/31/2013 at 09:05:18

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; Aug. 19, 1904

MRS. LUCINDA HENRIETTA (STROMER) RINEFORT

The infant that became a member of the Stromer family at Wittmund, Germany, August 27th, 1844 was named Lucinda Henrietta. Her parents brought her to this country and located in New Buffalo, Mich., when she was nine years old, one year before Grinnell was founded. She was married to Mr. Christian Rinefort in 1870, and the new family took possession of a farm in Chester, where Mr. Rinefort died in 1882. She then removed to Grinnell with her four sons, Andrew C., Frederick Louis, Louis Henry, and Harry Washington, the latter of whom died five years afterwards, when he was less than seven years old.

Mrs. Rinefort in Grinnell was quickly recognized as a woman of physical strength, of rare business acumen and of absolute integrity. She joined the Lutheran Church at eighteen, and later became a member of the Congregational Church in this city. She was a charter member of the Eastern Star and took a sincere interest in the prosperity of the church and its varied enterprises as she did also in the good of the organization which took charge of the burial. The women associated with her in Mrs. Dr. Clark's Bible class and in missionary societies remember her very affectionately.

Her last year, and especially her last seven months was a period of ill health, and at times of severe suffering. She had no desire to live through the infirmities of old age and often expressed to her pastor a willingness, perhaps approaching a choice, that the illness of the year should be her last.

She was one of the many Germans who have come to this country to become a strong factor in promoting its industries, in sustaining its better ideals, and in leaving an influence that improves the community and the state in that which is best materially and morally. Such people are honored while living and remembered with gratitude when gone.

Her home was very precious to her and made so especially be her close relations with her children and her pleasure in their loving kindness, their business honor, and in the respect of the community which they have won.

It was very appropriate that the main memorial service should be in the room most adorned by her handiwork. It was conducted by Professor Parker there, and by officers of the Eastern Star in Hazelwood.

A sister and brother were also in this country and their nearness was a delight to her. One of them, Mrs. Ada Kelling of Sioux City was present at the funeral. The brother who lives at New Buffalo, Mich., was unable to be present. Music was furnished by a quartette composed of Mrs. W.A. Heidel, Mrs. A.B. Mack, Dr. O.F. Parish and A.C. Harriman. The pallbearers were H.W. Spaulding, A.A. Foster, I.S. Bailey, J.G. Brown, G.H. McMurray and H. McIlrath. The flora decorations testified in their large number and their beauty to the love in which she was held by her many friends. A number were present at the funeral exercises from out of town. Among others twenty friends and members of the Eastern Star came from Gilman to show their love for the dead.
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We desire to extend our sincere and heartfelt thanks for the loving kindness shown by friends and neighbors in the death and burial of our mother, Mrs. L.H. Rinefort.
F.L. RINEFORT.
L.H RINEFORT.
MR. AND MRS. A.C. RINEFORT.