Anna Myrtle (Morgan) Sowers (1896-1939)

MORGAN, SOWERS, CHRISTOS, BELL, WARREN, SANDERS

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 9/13/2024 at 19:24:11

From Story City Herald February 2, 1939 (page 2)

MRS. GEO. W. SOWERS

Mrs. Geo. W. Sowers, whose maiden name was Anna Myrtle Morgan, came to gladden the home of Lafe and Rovena Morgan on the 7th day of February, 1896, while the family lived north of Gilbert. The span of h life covered 42 years, 11 months and 21 days, completing her earthly journey at her home Saturday morning, January 21, 1939.

When five years of age she, with her parents, moved from the Gilbert community into the neighborhood of the Pleasant Grove church. Here she grew to womanhood. On the 10th day of June, 1914, she was happily married to George W. Sowers, after which they established their home in the Pleasant Grove community, where they resided for five years. From here they moved to Lafayette township, where they lived on the Mike Larson farm for two years. During the past 18 years they have lived on the farm one mile south of Story City.

Early in life she gave her heart to God and united with the Pleasant Grove Methodist church, and after coming to the Story City community her membership was transferred to Grace Evangelical church, in which she was an active and influential member. Her church life was of real significance to her, for she loved the sanctuary of the Lord and the worship therein. The last worship service she attended in the church was Christmas day. Altho physically very weak; it was her great delight to worship with God's people, and having realized that blessing seemed to thrill her soul. Being a firm believer in our Lord she accepted Salvation at His hand. During her last illness, while her physical powers were weakening, her hope for a glorious immortality brightened. She was fully resigned to the will of our heavenly Father, and before her going she expressed her joy in a glorified Redeemer and in the hope of a blessed immortality which makes possible a re-union with loved ones who had been lost for a while. She felt assured that in our Father's house are many mansions, and that a place had been prepared for her in this home not made with hands eternal in the heavens. She lived the Christian life in the home, in the community and in the Church, and exerted a very wholesome influence in contacting other lives.

She always was ready to take her share of any work which needed to be done, whether it was in secular pursuits of in the work of the Church, which is the kingdom of God among men on earth. When she was called upon to serve as a Sunday school teacher, she did it cheerfully. For several years she was the efficient secretary of the local Woman's Missionary Society. When she was elected as president of the local Ladies' Aid Society, she gave of herself and her time unstintedly, and served with distinction until her physical condition prohibited further service. She also was a member of the Story City Rebekah Lodge and of the Eastern Star at Ames.

During the past autumn, several months ago, she became aware of some physical trouble which caused her distress and alarm. After consulting a local physician it was deemed advisable to see doctors at the Mayo clinic at Rochester, Minn., on Nov. 10th, for further observation and examination. Upon submitting to a major surgical operation, it was discovered that she was suffering from a cancer. However, after spending 16 days at Rochester she returned home and within a few days was again able to be about the house, and as already stated, attended the church worship service on Christmas day. Soon thereafter she became bedfast, and gradually grew weaker while suffering greatly during subsequent days.

Her parents preceded her in death; the father having died July 3, 1915, and the mother following on Dec. 11, 1918. Likewise two sisters and one brother were taken from the family circle before her passing. She is survived by her sorrowing husband; four sisters, who are Cora (Mrs. Tom Christos) of Boone, Grace (Mrs. H. R. Bell) of Gilbert, Mrs. Bertha Warren of Ames, and Laura (Mrs. Floyd L. Sanders) of Gilbert, besides many other near relatives and a host of friends.

"She did not die;
She simply laid the soul's frail vesture by
And gently passed away
As melts the morning star in golden day.
For life commencing here
Is but a prelude to its full career
Love, hope, faith, assurance give,
We do not live to die--but die to live."