Crowder, Helen (Mrs. James H. "Jay"), 1906-1937

CROWDER, CALLAN, BURKE

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:37

From the Hawarden Independent, March 18, 1937

DEATH CLAIMS YOUNG MOTHER
Mrs. Jay Crowder, Elk Point, Passed Away Sunday
Was 30 Years Old and Grew to Young Womanhood in Hawarden—Leaves Husband and Four Children

Mrs. Jay Crowder of Elk Point passed away at the Methodist hospital in Sioux City about 1:30 Sunday afternoon from pneumonia and complications. She had been a patient at the hospital for three weeks and while it was known from the first that her illness was critical, at times she improved and hopes were held for her recovery. She submitted to several blood transfusions but she was unable to overcome the ravages of the disease and she grew weaker gradually until death claimed her.

Her remains were brought to Hawarden Monday and funeral services were held at St. Mary’s church at 10 o’clock Tuesday morning with Rev. Fr. J. M. Neppel in charge. Burial was made in the Catholic cemetery here.

Helen Catherine Callan, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. C. Callan, was born in Hawarden Aug. 10, 1906, and so was but 30 years, 7 months and 4 days old when death called her. She grew up in this city, attending the Hawarden schools, graduating from the local high school with the class of 1925. Later she attended the N. B. T. school in Sioux city and for a time was employed by Cities Service Co. in the Warnock building in that city.

She was united in marriage with Jay Crowder of Elk Point April 14, 1928, and her entire married life was spent in the vicinity of Elk Point. To this union were born four children, Jerome, aged 8 years; Roy, 6; Joan, 4; and James, 3. Besides the husband and four small children she is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. M. C. Callan of Hawarden; one sister, Mrs. Lloyd Gregerson of Council Bluffs; and three brothers, William Callan of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.; Eugene Callan of Council Bluffs; and Cameron Callan of Marshalltown, Iowa.

Mrs. Crowder possessed a cheerful disposition and always looked on the bright side of life. During her brief married life her time was devoted to caring for her children and it was in the home that she displayed her adeptness in the rearing of her family. The passing of this young mother is sad indeed and sincere sympathy is extended to the husband and four motherless children as well as to her parents, sister and brothers.

Out of town relatives and friends who attended the funeral were Mrs. R. M. Crowder, Elk Point; Dr. and Mrs. Roy Crowder and Mrs. Earl Crowder, Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Callan and Mrs. A. H. Nolan, Madison, S.D.; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Weber, Mrs. Marvin Goodrich and Miss Mildred Mann, Sioux City; Mrs. James Klauer, Akron; Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Gregerson and Eugene Callan, Council Bluffs; William Callan, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.; Cameron Callan, Marshalltown, Iowa. Besides there were many friends from Elk Point who attended the services.

* * * * * * * * * *

RESEARCH NOTES

Her death certificate gives her full name as Helen Katherine Crowder and adds her parents, Mack Callen, born in Wisconsin, and Katherine Burke, born in Union County, South Dakota; died in the Methodist Hospital, Sioux City, at 1:30 p.m. March 14, 1937; cause, streptococcus septicaemia; contributory cause, post abortal infection.

Her FindaGrave.com page gives her name as Helen Catherine Callan Crowder, with a photo of her headstone, name “Helen Callan Crowder”; buried in Grace Hill Cemetery, Hawarden; parents Michael C. Callan (1868-1949) and Catherine M. Burke Callan (1876-1960).

Her Iowa marriage certificate (Ancestry.com) has groom James H. Crowder, age 25, resident of Elk Point, S. Dak., a farmer, born in Elk Point, parents P. M. or R. M. Crowder and Maude Hershey; bride Helen Callan, age 22, resident of Hawarden, born at Hawarden, parents Michael Callan and Catherine Burke; married at Hawarden April 14, 1928.