Gibbs, Stella (Mrs. Milo) 1869-1954

GIBBS, SARGENT

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-Volunteer
Date: 8/26/2014 at 00:21:13

Source: Hawarden Independent (11-4-1954)

Born: July 5, 1869
Died: October 28, 1954

Mrs. M.D. Gibbs, another of Alton’s beloved residents, passed to her reward at her home in Alton Thursday evening, October 28th at the age of 86 years, 3 months and 23 days. Although her health had failed in the last few months, she was confined to bed only a few weeks and died peacefully in her sleep.

Stella Alma Sargent, daughter of Albert E. and Alice H. Sargent was born July 5th, 1869 at New London, New Hampshire, where her Canadian parents were visiting at the time. Her girlhood home was in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

In 1889 she came to Alton, Iowa to visit relatives: her aunt, Mrs. L.C. Decker and also her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Lay and family, who lived between Alton and Hull. She was persuaded by her cousin, Lucia Lay, to remain in Alton and teach a county school, known as the “De Boer School” south of Alton. Daily she walked the two miles to the school regardless of weather conditions, returning in the evening to the home of her aunt.

On February 11, 1891, she was married to Mr. Mile DeLavan Gibbs at her home in Montreal. The young couple returned to Alton and lived with Mr. and Mrs. Peter Kass until their new home was completed in North Alton, where they resided until death. Mr. Gibbs preceded his wife in death in July, 1939. Three generations of the family lived in the spacious home provided by the pioneer couple, and many friends and relatives have enjoyed its hospitality.

Surviving are three sons: Milo S. Gibbs of Westport, Conn., George M. and Gerald A. Gibbs of Evanston, Illinois; one daughter, Mildred, Mrs. J.W. Allen of Alton; four grandchildren: Georgia and Chipper Gibbs of Evanston, Illinois, A.C. Dunkelberg, Osage, Iowa, and Marion, Mrs. Frank Mulvihill, Portland, Oregon; one great-grandchild, Patrick M. Mulvihill; two brothers, A.E. and G.S. Sargent; and one sister, Alice, Mrs. E.D. Lee, all of Montreal, Canada.

Mrs. Gibbs was a charter member of Century Chapter No. 298 Eastern Star, and also of the Ladies Aid Society of the First Congregational (now Presbyterian) church, of which she was a faithful member. She was honored as a 50-year member of Century Chapter at a special dinner given by the Chapter. She was an honorary member of Sioux Golf & Country Club, of which her husband was one of the founders.

Funeral services were held at the Presbyterian Church Monday at 2:00 P.M. the Rev. E. Van Engelenhoven, Orange City, officiating. Pallbearers were Fred Eason, Sam Lincoln, Andrew Van Nimwegen, Joe Pohlen, George Bowers, Dick Mulder. Music was provided by a male quartet: Vernon Newendorp, R.A. Poppen, M.C. Muilenburg, Ralph Van Zyl, with Mrs. Van Zyl as accompanist and organist. Burial was in Nassau Township Cemetery. Members of Century Chapter O.E.S. attended the service as a unit.

Here from a distance were George M. Gibbs and G.A. Gibbs of Evanston; Mr. and Mrs. A.G. Dunkelberg, Osage; Mrs. George N. Hadden and Mrs. Stanley Koval, Big Lake, Minnesota; Mr. and Mrs. O.L. Luhring, Ida Grove; Mrs. C.W. Pitts, Chan Jr., LeMars; John Gleysteen, Sioux City.

Remarkable for her courage, loyalty to the country of her adoption, to her town and its organizations, Mrs. Gibbs had that unquenchable spirit of enthusiasm which she endeared her to so many friends. Her encouragement and praise, as well as her neighborly kindness, have helped many. She was a wonderful example of that generation of pioneering women of whom someone has said, “They don’t come in that mold any more.”

An interesting incident of Stella Sargent’s school-teaching days has been told by the director of the school the late Mr. P. Leenhouts. He recalled that during that first 1889 winter one afternoon when the weather was very threatening a young man called at his door. It was Milo D. Gibbs, with his team and cutter. He told the director that a bad storm was on the way, and recommended that school be dismissed and the children sent home. The director agreed. So the children got home ahead of the blizzard--and so did Miss Sargent, snugly tucked under the buffalo robe in her friend Mr. Gibbs cutter.

In latter years Mrs. Gibbs continued active and alert, taking part in the social life of the town and attending church regularly. She enjoyed a number of motor trips to Montreal with her family and during a recent winter accompanied her son George to Florida, where the accompanying picture was taken at the home of friends.
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[Another Obituary]

Mrs. M. D. Gibbs, 85, died Oct.
28 at her home in Alton. She
came to Alton from Canada in
1889 remained and taught
country school there. Surviving
are three sons, a daughter, four
grandchildren and one great-
grandchild. Rites were Nov. 1 at
Alton. Mrs. Gibbs and her husband
lived in the home in north Alton
completed shortly after their
marriage in 1891 until their deaths.

Floyd Valley Farmers News
Friday, November 12, 1954
Le Mars, Iowa