White, Mary (Mrs. Thomas) 1865-1920

WHITE, BRUNSKILL

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke --Volunteer
Date: 10/27/2015 at 04:37:13

Source: Hawarden Independent (11-4-1920)

Born: August 28, 1865
Died: October 28, 1920

Mrs. Thomas White died at her home in Ireton last Thursday evening at the age of 77 years, 8 months and 29 days. Her immediate illness was a short duration and her death came as a great shock to her relatives and many friends. About a month ago Mr. and Mrs. White went to North Dakota to visit their daughters, as was their custom every fall, and while there both complained of not feeling well, but Mrs. White seemed to improve upon returning home. On the Friday before her death she visited with relatives and friends in Hawarden. On Tuesday morning, however, she awakened her husband and complained of being very sick. Dr. Null was summoned and attended her many times during the day but gradually her strength decreased until about 8:40 Thursday evening, October 28th, she passed away as in a peaceful sleep thus ending one of those quiet but ever helpful lives that blesses all with whom it comes in contact, and leaves many hearts heavier because her passing presence and ever filled hand of helpfulness is no longer felt.

Mary Brunskill was born August 28, 1843, at Yorkshire, England, being the oldest daughter of a family of twelve children. When she was 18 months old her parents came to America settling in New Diggings, Wisconsin, and there she grew up to womanhood. On January 8, 1865 she was married to Thomas White at Oak Springs, Wisconsin. They took up their residence on a farm near there where they remained until March 17, 1876, when they moved to Grant township, Plymouth County, Iowa. In 1882 they moved to the section where the town of Craig now stands and from this farm they came to Ireton in March, 1909, where they have since made their home. Twelve children were born to this union, nine of whom are still living. They are: John of Hawarden; George, Garfield and Alvin, of Ireton; Mrs. A.E. Adams of Mooreton, North Dakota; Mrs. C.F. Coons of Eugene, Oregon; Mrs. Joseph Spiers, of Fresno, California; Mrs. C.L. Smith and Mrs. R. Hoiting, of Burnstad, North Dakota. These sons and daughters, together with many grandchildren, feel the loss of a mother and grandmother, but they may be constantly comforted that hers was a life well spent and the remembrance is as ointment poured out upon them. The heaviest burden of loneliness rest upon her husband who for fifty-four years has found her companionship and love the stay of his life, and the shadow rests upon him, the thought of all that she was, is the pathway in the night pointing upward to where she has gone.

Funeral services were delayed until Wednesday awaiting the arrival of relatives from distant points. Services will be held in the Methodist Church, of which she has been a faithful member for nearly twenty-five years. Following are among the relatives who came here to attend the funeral services: Mrs. A.E. Adams of Mooreton, North Dakota; Mr. and Mrs. C.L. Smith and Mr. and Mrs. R.Hoiting, of Burnstad, North Dakota; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Spiers of Fresno, California; Maggie Watson and Mrs. Clara of Apple River, Illinois; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mulroney of Emmetsuirg, Iowa; George Brunskill of Le Mars, Iowa; John Dunn of Sioux City, Iowa; Mrs. Otto Bogenrief of Garretson, North Dakota; Joseph Brunskill of Shellsburg; and Mrs. Thos. Patefield of Mifflin.