Mary Catherine (Stahl) Crane (ca. 1847-1884)

STAHL, CRAIN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 11/11/2015 at 10:57:26

From Nevada Representative March 19, 1884

--The death of Mrs. C. E. Crain, which has been expected for some time, occurred Tuesday morning. Her funeral obsequies will take pace at her home to-morrow afternoon at 2 o'clock.

From Nevada Representative March 26, 1884

Obituary.

Mrs. Mary C. Crain, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Stahl, was born at Salona, Clinton County, Pa., Nov. 27th, 1846. She died March 18th 1884, being 37 years, 3 months, and 21 days of age. The funeral services took place from her home on the 20th, the sermon being based upon the words, "Jesus Wept."

In 1858 she with her parents moved to Illinois, living for a number of years at Lena. She united with the Lutheran Church in Lena, of which her parents were members, under the pastoral care of Rev. Wm. Schoch, about 18 years ago, and has ever since, lived a faithful christian life. In 1868 she married Chester E. Crain, and in 1882 moved with him to this place. In the fall of the same year she was received as a member of our Lutheran mission here, thus becoming a charter member of the same.

In her home-life she was sustained under the care and anxieties of a large family, by the same faith that strengthened her during her last illness. Being her pastor but for a short time before she was taken sick, I learned to know that her greatest care was for her family that they might all become useful men and women, and learn to love the Saviour in whom she trusted. To them she devoted her life, and for them she longed to live, but the Lord ordered otherwise, and she was ready to go. She has gone to add another link to the lengthening chain in the other world; her mother and six brothers having gone before. Her father, brother, two sisters, husband and six children remain to mourn her loss.

In our church work we shall miss her. Ever faithful in her attendance upon the mans of grace her illness and death have made a vacancy in our little band:--the first one to hear the call, "Come up higher."

In our sowwow we look out to our own hearts for comfort, for they are full of grief; we tuen not alone to earthly friends for support, for they cannot remove the pain. He who wept with those who wept alone can heal the broken-hearted. To Him would we go in this our hour of need, and feel that we are one with Him in the family of God. Father, brother, sisters, husband, children, weep not as those without hope, but look for the blessed resurrection in the last day, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

J. A. M. ZIEGLER.

Nevada, Iowa, March 20th, 1884.