Loffswold, Melvina (Mrs. Edmund A.) 1857-1946

LOFFSWOLD, CLINE

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 1/2/2022 at 15:18:26

OBITUARY OF MELVINA LOFFSWOLD
Rock Valley Bee of Oct 31, 1946
Melvina Loffswold, daughter of John and Margaret Cline was born Feb. 24, 1857 at Darlington WI, and passed away at her home farm near Rock Valley Oct 23, 1946 at the age of 89 years, 8 months and one day.
Her early girlhood was spent in Wisconsin with her parents. On May 31, 1876 she was married to Edmond A. Loffswold and came to her pioneer home in a log cabin on the farm north of Rock Valley, where wh had lived ever since. At this time the closest town was Le Mars and the only means of transportation was either horse and wagon or ox cart.
For five years after their marriage they made heir home in a log cabin before being able to get the lumber hauled for their present home. Many articles could be written about the experiences of these pioneer people. Yet in spite of them all they stayed and broke prairie and established their home and raised their family of thirteen children, three of which have passed on. One son in infancy, Edwin Dale, July 22 1932; and Genevieve, March 7, 1924 and her husband Oct 7, 1915.
Not only did Mrs. Loffswold rear her own family, during this time when modern comforts and conveniences were not known, but she had time to help her neighbors. Many are the stories of the old timers of calling her in the middle of the night to help them in time of need. She always had time to help others. She was one of the charter members of the local Methodist church, joining it in 1877. The children recall many times of going to Hudson camp meeting in a wagon. Then amusements were few and people had time to attend their religious services.
She leaves to mourn her passing one sister, Mrs. Melissa Dowery, of Darlington WI, ten children: Lee of Pipestone MN, Mrs. Luella Hurt of Chester SD, Ogden at home, Wilbur of Spokane WA, Mrs. Alice Anderson of Byron MN, Arthur J of Sioux Falls SD, Mrs. Hazel Elmstrom of Montevideo MN, George W. of Madison SD, Lester of Sioux Falls, Mrs. Ethyle Mann at home, and Mrs. Betty Gerritson of Sioux Falls. 22 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren, also survive.