Minnie Eldora (Bechtel) Cessna (1865-1944)

BECHTEL, CESSNA, MCDONALD, KEIMIG, BEARDSHEAR, NEASHAM

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:14

From Nevada Evening Journal October 2, 1944 (page 3)

Services for Mrs. Minnie Cessna Held on Saturday

Funeral services for Mrs. Minnie B. Cessna, 79, who passed away at her home in Nevada, Wednesday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. after lingering illness, were held from Memorial Lutheran church, Saturday afternoon at 2:30 with Dr. James O. Simon officiating.

Harry Christiansen, Memorial Lutheran organist and choir director, was at the organ. He played the hymns "Nearer My God To Thee" and "Abide With Me" at the opening of the service, "Going Home" from Dvorak's "New World Symphony" at the conclusion of the prayer, and "Largo" from the same symphony at the close of the service.

The floral offerings were many and beautiful. They were arranged and cared for by Mrs. H. W. Bowers and Miss Berenice Allen. In addition to the flowers, which were mute testimony of the esteem in which the deceased was held, there was a gift of money from a group of friends to be used for Lutheran Benevolances in her memory.

The casket bearers were W. C. Johnson, Fred W. Nelson, Clyde Knudson, H. G. Ambrose, H. F. Anderson and Glen Davis. Burial was in the family lot in the Nevada cemetery by the side of the husband, the late LaMonte Cessna, who passed away forty years ago.

Mrs. Cessna is survived by two daughters and two sons: Ruth McDonald of Ames, Hazel Keimig of Washington, D. C., Karl B. Cessna and Ralph L. Cessna of Nevada.

She is survived by the following grandchildren: Barbara and Naomi Cessna of Nevada; Virginia and Ruth Keimig of Washington, D. C.; Lieut. Marion Cessna of Nevada, a prisoner of war in Germany and by Mrs. Kay Beardshear of Salinas, Calif.; Katharine McDonald of the Waves, stationed at Milledgeville, Ga., and Janet McDonald of Ames.

She also leaves one brother, George M. Bechtel of Davenport besides other relatives and a host of friends.

Minnie Bechtel Cessna, who departed this earth life at 4:40 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27, 1944, at her home 1119 Eighth street, Nevada, was born at Morning Sun, Iowa, Aug. 5, 1865, a daughter of Jonas C. and Matilda Bechtel. She came to Nevada as a child in a covered wagon, and had practically lived her entire life in this community.

She attended the Nevada schools, graduating with the class of 1884. As a high school student she was prominent in all school activities, taking a great interest in dramatics being a leader in declamatory and class functions. She was also interested in school sports, an interest she continued to manifest throughout the years. As a young woman she was an expert horsewoman, having won a beautiful side-saddle at one time for her proficeincy in horsemanship.

Minnie Bechtel was united in marriage to LaMonte Cessna on March 8, 1887. The service was performed by Dr. J. A. M. Ziegler, the pastor of Memorial Lutheran church. The young couple lived first on a farm north of Nevada and later in Grant township southwest of Nevada.

The family moved to northern Iowa where they lived for a few years. It was while there that Mr. Cessna passed away, July 8, 1904. The funeral service of Mr. Cessna, held in the Memorial Lutheran church in Nevada, was conducted by Dr. James O. Simon during his first pastorate here.

Upon the death of the husband and father, Mrs. Cessna and children returned to Nevada. For a number of years they lived in a farm home near her mother that she might care for the latter during her declining years. On the death of Mrs. Bechtel, Mrs. Cessna moved into Nevada in 1923, continuing her home here until her death.

She was a longtime member of the Chapter AM P.E.O. and while in health was always present at its monthly meetings. She has also been an active member of former Clover and Thursday clubs. She enjoyed meeting with her friends and she made a real contribution to every group where she was present.

Mrs. Cessna united with Memorial Lutheran church, of which her mother, in September, 1883 when a young woman of 18 years. She retained her membership throughout her entire life. Her interest in her church never slackened. She manifested her love for her church by her constant devotion to its growth and welfare. She was the oldest member of the church and her membership continued over a longer span of years than any other. Her faith in her Lord and Saviour was beautifully expressed by her daily life. Her trust was complete and childlike.

Mrs. Cessna was a great lover of flowers. Her garden was always bright with many choice varieties which she loved to tend.

Among those in attendance at the last rites from out of town were the sons-in-law and daughters, Mr. and Mrs. John Keimig of Washington, D. C., and Mr. and Mrs. C. W. McDonald of Ames, Geo. M. Bechtel of Davenport, brother of the deceased; Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Neasham of Ottumwa, sister-in-law of the deceased and her husband; Mrs. Webber of Ottumwa, Mrs. C. W. Morgan of Ames; Mrs. Ina Picht of Ames; Mrs. Allie Clausen and son Kenneth Wilson of Cambridge; Mabel Phipps, Florence Forbes and Louise Resenfeld of the Iowa State College Extension Service and Mrs. Frances Hettler from National Live Stock and Meat Board, I. S. C. and Miss Zella White of Sioux City.