Mary Frances "Fannie" Proctor (1856-1942)

PROCTOR, ROBISON, GREER, BARTRUG

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

From Nevada Evening Journal May 28, 1942 (page 3)

Funeral Services Held Here Wednesday for Mrs. Francis Proctor

Funeral rites for Mrs. Francis Proctor, 75, widow of the late Ephraim Proctor, who passed away at her home here Monday at 1:15 p. m., were held Wednesday afternoon at the home at 521 Sixth street, with her pastor, Rev. Reynolds C. Murdock, in charge.

Interment was in the Nevada cemetery by the side of her husband who passed away in 1924. The committal service of the Order of the Eastern Star of which Mrs. Proctor was a member, was used at the cemetery.

The minister used as his text words from Psalm 73:25 "Whom have I in heaven, but thee?" and spoke briefly upon the subject: "Intimations of Immortality." Two hymns, "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Goodnight Here but Goodmorning Up There," were sung by Mrs. Beulah Freeland.

Casket bearers were Forrest Robison, Floyd Maxwell, Boyd Maxwell, Joseph Cerwinski, Tom Hemstock and Glen R. Newton.

The minister had prepared and read the following life sketch of the deceased during the service:

"Mary Frances, daughter of Robert Alexander and Nancy Norres Greer Robison, was born south of Nevada on the old Robison homestead. The Robisons were one of the pioneer families of Story county, having arrived in the vicinity of Iowa Center in September of 1856. By the time Mary Frances was born the family of early pioneers were well established in this comparatively new country.

"She grew out of this sturdy background of solid culture, attended the Robison school, and grew to womanhood in the community settled by her parents. A family of Proctors moved into that community in the early seventies. Among them was a son, Ephraim. On February 18, 1891, Mary Francis Robison became the bride of Ephraim Proctor. They began farming that spring in the home community. For more than thirty years they resided on their homestead. Two children, a boy and a girl, were born of this union, the son passing away in infancy. In the spring of 1924, Mr. Proctor departed this life leaving the wife and daughter.

"After closing out the farm, Mrs. Proctor lived for more than a year with the daughter who, at that time, resided at Slater. Mrs. Proctor then moved to Nevada in the spring of 1928 where she has since made her home.

"Rather early in life she confessed her faith in Christ and became a member of the old Jefferson Church. When that church was closed, she attended the Cambridge Methodist church and, after moving to Nevada, united with the Nevada Methodist church in 1929. She was also a member of the order of the Eastern Star and the Woman's Relief Corps.

"Mrs. Proctor had been in failing health for more than a year but became suddenly ill Tuesday of last week, and critically so by Thursday. Not until then was her condition such that it was thought necessary to notify the daughter. The daughter and her family came immediately and all possible care and attention was given until she slipped quietly away Monday afternoon, May 25, 1942, at 1:15 at her home, 521 Sixth street, Nevada, Iowa, having attained the good age of 75 years, 7 months and 7 days.

"Mrs. Proctor was a kind and loving mother who enjoyed the beauty and comfort of her home. By the testimony of those who knew her best, she is classed with the woman spoken of in the Scriptures "who opened her mouth with wisdom and in whose tongue was the law of kindness; who looked well to the care of her household and ate not the bread of idleness."

Left to mourn her departure are the daughter Helen, Mrs. C. M. Bartrug; the son-in-law, the two granddaughters, Jean and Genieve of Iowa Falls; two brothers, R. A. Robison of Nevada and E. H. Robison of Long Beach, California; several nieces and nephews; and many other relatives, friends and neighbors.

Among the out-of-town relatives and friends here for the service were Mr. and Mrs. O. A. Cerwinske, Charles City, Joe Cerwinske of Ackley; Mrs. E. O. Bronson of Council Bluffs, Mr. and Mrs. Forest Robison of Ft. Madison, Mr. and Mrs. Cloyd Maxwell, Mr. and Mrs Boyd Maxwell and Mrs. and Mrs. E. W. Wickard, all of Maxwell; Dr. and Mrs. A. C. Swanson of Webster City; James Bartrug, Miss Ethel Swanson of Webster City; Mrs. Clay Robison, Maxwell; Joseph Houge of Slater and Miss Edna Houge of Slater.