Bortell, Susan 1844-1917

BORTELL, NOON, HAYES, NEELY, BUMP

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 5/14/2016 at 10:34:52

The Grinnell (IA) Herald

MRS. WILLIAM BORTELL

Mrs. William Bortell died at her home on East St., early Tuesday morning, after an illness of several weeks, at the age of 73 years.

Mrs. Bortell was born Susan Noon, at Port Royal, Juanita County, Pa., in 1844. In August, 1865:, at Mifflintown, Pa., she was married to William Bortell, and five years later moved to Grinnell, where ever since they have lived. There were six children, Laura Hayes, Erwin, Kate Neely, Miss Maud, and Hattie Bump. The only death in the family was Rebecca who died in 1870. With one unavoidable exception, the children were at home when their mother passed away at 4:30 in the morning of July 3.

Mrs. Bortell through life enjoyed fine health, save in the last few years, and for several months suffered much from a combination of jaundice and nephritis, from the severity of which she was unable to rally. For twenty-four hours before death she fell into a comatose state and, without recognizing her children or friends, passed to her reward in "the land that is fairer than day."

Mrs. Bortell became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church in Grinnell, during the ministry of W.G. Wilson. In 1875, and for more than two-score years has maintained a faithful and efficient membership. She was a woman of kindly heart and generous spirit, responsive to the call for help and faithful in the performance of all known responsibilities. She excelled as a faithful wife and care-taking mother, anxious, diligent, true, conscientious and solicitous for the best interests of her family. As a lovely christian character she was well known by the large constituency of the church of her choice. Held in the highest esteem, she will be remembered as she was appreciated while living, for her amiability, kindness of heart, devotion to the Master's cause and sincerest interests of those whose friendship she won. It is significant that, just as the morning of a new day broke upon the world, her spirit entered the eternal joy, and the dawning of a matchless day to be forever with her Lord.

Funeral services were held at her late residence on Thursday and were conducted by her pastor, Dr. J.M. Brown, and her former pastor, Dr. W.A. Smith, of Malcom. A large and sympathetic company of friends gathered to express their love for a noble woman who had lived and pure and cheerful life, always bringing joy and gladness to any circle she entered.

Members of Gordon Granger Post were present in a body, as were also the Women's Relief Corps, of which she was an enthusiastic and efficient member.

Floral offerings were beautiful and abundant.

Songs were sung by Mrs. Floy Dempster and Mrs. Hazel Black. The pall bearers were: T.H. Buchanan, R.G. Coutts, W.H. Alley, T.S. Mason, Clint Vanderveer and N.O. Pilgrim.

Present from out of town to attend the funeral were: Rev. and Mrs. W.A. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Eichhorn, Mr. and Mrs. N.D. Davis, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Wing, Mr. and Mrs. Dick Douglass, Mr. and Mrs. Austin Meiggs, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Peters and the Misses Margaret Watson, Ruth Tyler, Vera Davis, Leona Coburn, Blanche Bothel, Beulah Reams, Grace Baustian and Viola Coburn, members of Mrs. Hayes' Sunday School class, and all of Malcom; also Mrs. Bernice Headlee, of Des Moines.

NOTE: The copy was difficult to read in places and may contain errors by transcriber.