Bemiss, Lillie (Mrs. C.E.) 1857-1951

BEMISS, FARNHAM

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 9/28/2015 at 18:34:14

Hawarden Independent February 15, 1951

Mrs. Lillie Bemiss, one of Hawarden's oldest residents, died last Friday, just five days before her 94th birthday at the Panbka Nursing home. Mrs. Bemiss was the widow of C. E. Bemiss, an early day businessman, who operated a harness and shoe shop here 45 years. The past five years, with the exception of a few weeks, Mrs. Bemiss lived at the S. R. McAninch home. The first of the year she became ill and her sons, Hugh Bemiss of Tacoma, Wash., and William Bemiss of Des Moines,together with their wives, came to help care for her.

Until her last illness Mrs. Bemiss was mentally alert and active and attended church regularly.
Lillie Nora Farnham was born at Anoka, Minn., February 15, 1857, She was married to C. E. Bemiss at Steamboat Rock, Iowa. Leaving Steamboat Rock she went with her family to Miner county SD, where they engaged in farming. Later they moved to Madison SD. And 58 years ago she came to Hawarden. Her husband died Jan 1, 1944 and her only daughter, Mrs. Mona Anderson, died February 1, 1950 Mrs. Bemiss was a charter member of the June Rebekah lodge here and a member of the Baptist church. For more than 20 years she taught The Women's Bible class of the Baptist church.

For a number of years she was presented with a gift on Mothers Day as a token of her being the oldest mother in the church. She is survived by four sons, Edward and Hugh Bemiss of Tacoma, Wash., Roy of Sacramento, Calif., and William of Des Moines; seven grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren and 2 great, great grandchildren. Funeral services were held on Monday afternoon at the Baptist church with Rev. Leon Nelson officiating. Burial was in Grace Hill cemetery under the correction of the Frazier Funeral home.

Out of town relatives who came for the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Bemiss of Des Moines, Mrs. Kenneth Haven of Boone. Iowa, Mrs. Wayne Horton and Mrs. Walter Horton of Akron and Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Bemiss and Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Solberg of Hudson