Martha Sarah (Knudson) Thompson (1856-1940)

KNUDSON, THOMPSON, LARSON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 4/15/2014 at 22:45:44

From Nevada Evening Journal January 24, 1940

Mrs. Thompson Passes Away Near Midnight

Mrs. Martha Thompson, 83, wife of T. O. Thompson of 804 Seventh street, died Tuesday night [January 23, 1940] shortly before midnight, death being due to heart trouble from which she had been a sufferer for many years.

In fact, 18 years ago she was told by a heart specialist at the Mayo clinic at Rochester, that she would live but a few months. Since that time she has suffered a broken hip at one time and the fracture of the bones of both arms at another. Yet through the tender care of the family her life had been lengthened nearly a score of years.

Funeral arrangements are yet indefinite, awaiting word from the sons who are at a distance. One son, Anton of Caldwell, N. D., who had been here for a few days, left for his home only yesterday, but was intercepted at Minneapolis and will return at once. Another son, Chester had returned to his home at Spanaway, Wash., only a short time ago after a visit here. A third son, Dan, is expected tonight from his home at Wenatchee, Wash.

Mrs. Thompson was born Martha Sarah Knudson, daughter of Hover and Anna Knudson, at Leland, Illinois, June 18, 1856. The mother died when Martha was a small girl and she remained in the home and assisted in the rearing of the brothers and sisters.

She was united in marriage to T. O. Thompson March 26, 1879, at Earlville, Illinois. They located first in Ford county, Illinois, later moving to Champaign county, where they lived until coming to Iowa and locating on their farm north of Nevada in the spring of 1890. They lived on that farm until the spring of 1909 when they retired and moved to Nevada, establishing their home at 804 Seventh street, where they have since lived.

Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, all but not one of whom are still alive. The fourth son, Myron, was drowned January 16, 1914, while a student at Grinnell college.

The surviving children are Anton of Cogswell, N. D., Otto of north of Nevada, Chester of Spanaway, Wash., Dan of Wenatchee, Wash., Jasper, an attorney at Iowa Falls, Ruby, in the medical missionary service at Fenghsien, Shensi, China, and Lillian and Eunice at home.

She also leaves a brother Dan Knudson of Ellsworth, Iowa, and a sister Mrs. Hannah Larson of Leland, Illinois.

Mrs. Thompson was a woman devoted to her home and family, was of exceptionally fine character, kind, charitable and a wonderful neighbor and friend. She was a lifelong member of the Methodist church and in her younger days had been active in religious work.