Melburn “Jack” Donhowe (1894-1938)

DONHOWE, MARVICK, VINJE, CHRISTENSON, WHITNEY, MYERS

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 9/8/2024 at 11:58:38

From Story City Herald July 7, 1938 (page 1)

Death Came Quickly To "Jack" Donhowe

WELL KNOWN FORD DEALER OF STORY CITY SUCCUMBED TO HEART FAILURE FRIDAY AFTER AN ILLNESS OF ONLY A FEW HOURS--FUNERAL WAS HELD TUESDAY.

The sudden death of Melburn Donhowe, on Friday, July 1, came as an overwhelming shock to this community and to his far-reaching circle of friends. In apparent good health, he was stricken with a heart attack in the early morning of that day, and death came at four o'clock in the afternoon.

He was born in Story City May 2, 1894, of the parents, John and Lena Donhowe, and lived the 44 years of his life here. He was married to Charlotte Marvick on June 5, 1917, and to them were born five children: Margaret, Elizabeth Ann, John, Gordon, and Charlotte Mae. In addition to these he is survived by his parents, one brother, Orlin of Logansport, Inc., and four sisters: Mrs. Arthur Vinje of Chicago, Mrs. Adrian Christenson of Northfield, Minn., Mrs. J. Whitney of Los Angeles, Cal., and Mrs. Bryden Myers of Chicago.

He has for many years been active in the business circles of this city, during the last 15 years a partner with his uncle, Peter C. Donhowe, in the Donhowe Motor Company, and as member and when president of the Greater Community Congress, as school board member for many years and when president of this board, and in many other capacities he has taken a leading part in civic affairs, having filled many positions of public trust and responsibility in a conscientious and capable manner.

Funeral Rites Tuesday

His burial took place on Tuesday, July 5, from his church, the St. Petri Lutheran, with his pastor, the Rev. S. T. Nelson, officiating. The church was filled to capacity and loud-speaker arrangements brought the service to the large numbers outside, for whom there was no room in the church. Special music was furnished by the church choir, which sang, "In Heaven Above," with Edwin Jacobson jr. as soloist, and by Miss Jane Fay of Nevada, who sang "For the Lord is Mindful of His Own."

Tribute to his memory, life and good influence was paid by the pastor, who emphasized the Christian character which was so evident in Mr. Donhowe's life, and the glorious confession of Christian faith made in the presence of death. He held forth the sources of solace for the bereaved, effectually given thru Divine promises seized in humble faith.

Further tribute was brought by his former pastor, W. B. Scarvie, now in Detroit, Mich., who with his family came to the burial, and also by Rev. A. Rogness of Ames, a friend of the departed. Dr. J. N. Anderson of Huxley, formerly pastor at St. Petri, also sent his greetings and condolences.

Burial was made in Fairview cemetery. Memoria gifts totaling more than $100.00 were given to worthy causes in his honor by relatives and friends.

Melburn Donhowe leaves an empty place in community, church and home, the greatness of which will be realized more and more as the days go by. But he also leaves an inspiration and noble influence of one who was a power for righteousness in civic affairs; who loved and supported joyally his church and lived as a Christian gentleman; who was an ideal son, brother, husband, and father within the family circle.

Those from a Distance

Those from a distance at the funeral included the following, and no doubt many others: Mr. and Mrs. John Donhowe, Mr. and Mrs. Ole Tegland and Mr. and Mrs. Halvard Kloster and son Erling, all of Eagle Grove; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur T. Vinje of Glen Ellyn, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Orlin Donhowe of Logansport, Inc.; Mr. and Mrs. Adrien Christiansen of Northfield, Minn.; Mrs. Edwin Roe of Stanley, Wis.; Mrs. Cosette Marvick of Claremont, Calif.; Rev. and Mrs. W. B. Scarvie and children of Detroit, Mich.; Mr. A. H. Donhowe of Chicago; Mr. and Nrs. A. T. Donhowe and Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Donhowe of Des Moines; Mrs. J. N. Andersen of Huxley; Ethel Marvick, Sam Hansen, Linnie Marvick, Rudolph Peterson, Katherine Thorpe and Lillin Rasmussen, all of Minneapolis; Rudolph Ramset of Waseca, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. M. T. Hartman, Mrs. Alice Hartman, Mrs. Nettie Ritchie, Mary Bauge, Mr. and Mrs. Jennings Bauge, Mr. and Mrs. Alex Henderson and Rev. A. Rogness, all of Ames; Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Meyers of Clarion; Mr. and Mrs. Fred McCall and Attorney and Mrs. Harry Langland, all of Nevada; Mrs. Clarence Griebeling of Newton, Elmer Charlson of Dows; Mr. and Mrs. Alvin J. Hovland of Webster City.

The pallbearers were: Olaf R. Larson, Edwin C. Jacobsen, Bert Hill, Edward Charlson, Fred Corneliussen and Roy A. Sweet.