Brink, Emma Jean (Mrs. Charles) died 1931

BRINK, ROWLAND

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke--Volunteer
Date: 8/15/2016 at 17:55:45

Source: Find A Grave Obit

Birth: 1878
Death: June 8, 1931

Emma Jean (Rowland) Brink - Former War Nurse Hang Herself In Basement Of Home

Believed by her husband to have been despondent over the possible future effects of a fibroid tumor from which she has suffered for several years, Mrs. Emma Jean Brink, 52, former American war nurse, wife of Charles W. Brink, 243 Morgan Avenue, hanged herself in the basement at her home early Tuesday morning. While the husband lay in bed listening for sounds of his wife moving around at her morning duties, Mrs. Brink evidently went to the basement, noosed a short length of clothesline about her neck after tying it over a beam, then stepped from a small box on which she had been standing. Hearing no sound from Mrs. Brink after what he estimated to be half an hour, Brink arose and went to the basement to strop his razor, he recounted later. At the bottom step he saw his wife's body. He called to her. Drawing nearer to the body he discovered that it was dead.

"She never mentioned suicide but since she was thoroughly examined at Rochester, Minnesota, a year ago, I know she has been worrying about her trouble," Mr. Brink told newspapermen. She was always cheerful, though, and very affectionate. I cannot see any cause for the suicide except worry over her health. Mrs. Brink left no note.

Her maiden name was Emma Jean Rowland. Born in England, she came to the United States thirty years ago. In 1905 she went to Spokane, Washington. At St. Luke's hospital there she held the positions of night superintendent,superintendent of nurses and general superintendent. Her service there was continuous with the exception of a year which she spent in France as a nurse during the war. She resigned her position in Spokane four years ago and was married at Mobride, South Dakota, to Mr. Brink. They came to Council Bluffs to live a short time later.

The son of Dr. and Mrs. M. Brink of Boyden, Iowa, Charles W. Brink is well known in banking circles in South Dakota and in the vicinity of Granville and Boyden. He has wheat and real estate interests in South Dakota. Mrs. Brink is survived by two brothers, Walter Rowland of Vancover, B.C., and Alfred Rowland, also of Canada, whose exact address is not known. The body was removed to Jackson's Funeral Home, where it remained Tuesday pending word from the brothers.

Funeral services for Mrs. Emma Jean Brink were held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at Jackson's Funeral Home. Reverend Carl Kearns of the Grace Presbyterian Church officiated. Music as furnished by Mrs. F.J. Krumenacher and Mrs. R.F. Myers. The body was taken Thursday morning via the North Western Railway to Boyden, Iowa for burial. Jackson's Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.