Mae I. (Bute) Kepler (1868-1940)

BUTE, KEPLER, SCOTT

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:11

From Nevada Evening Journal April 11, 1940 (page 3)

Funeral Services for Mrs. Kepler Monday Afternoon

Mrs. Otis W. Kepler, a resident for the past two years of Nevada passed away very unexpectedly in her sleep some time Thursday night, April 5 at her home, 721 B avenue.

Mrs. Kepler had been in her usual condition of health until the morning before her death. She had expressed how well she felt that morning upon rising, until she became ill and thought it only necessary to rest until she felt a little better. Her daughter, on arriving soon after noon found she had a slight temperature, prepared her some hot liquid and gave her a treatment hoping to quiet her stomach which it did until later in the evening.

Although her condition seemed to remain about the same, the next day she wanted to get up and thought it unnecessary to have a doctor. She was a physician had been called to give her a general check. All were pleased to learn that her general condition seemed so good and her complete recovery was expected in a few days. The following morning it was found that she had quietly passed away in her sleep.

The Morfoot Funeral home had charge of the services. The body was brought to the home Sunday morning, before leaving for the services Monday at 11 a. m. Elder A. L. Miller offered a prayer in the presence of relatives and friends. Services were conducted at the Seventh-Day Adventist church by Elder A. L. Miller, Dr. C. D. Loose of the Methodist officiating.

Mrs. Kepler had but recently remarked, requesting the persons taking charge of her funeral. She had selected the song, "For He Is Preparing a Place For Me" to sung by Mr. W. C. Foreman. He had sung this song some twenty years previous. Mrs. Elmer Anderson, sang with Mr. Foreman, "Asleep in Jesus," which was another requested song. Mrs. Lee Ensey accompanied.

The floral offerings were many and beautiful as a background. "The Homemakers Club," of which the deceased was a member, furnished dinner at the home to the relatives and friends from out-of-town before they left for the services to be held at Stanhope.

Another service was conducted at Stanhope at 2 p. m., where many relatives, friends and old neighbors had the privilege to pay last tributes to the deceased, and many more floral gifts expressed the love and esteem in which her community regarded her.

Pallbearers were from Stanhope, namely Elmer Snyder, Charlie S. Day, Fred H. Becker, William D. Parker, Archie Peterson, R. S. Wright. Interment ws made at Lawn Hill cemetery in Stanhope.

Present at the services in Nevada were Otis Kepler, Mr. and Mrs. John Scott, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Brooks of Marshalltown; Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Snyder of Stanhope; Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Snyder, Mrs. Deliala Bute, Mrs. Mattie Kepler, Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Bute of Waterloo, Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Wolff and Francis Jean of Des Moines and Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Snyder of Nevada.

Friends going from Nevada to services held at Stanhope were Mrs. Marion Stark and daughter of Marshalltown, Elder A. L. Miller, Dr. C. D. Loose, Mrs. Elmer Anderson Mrs Lee Eusey, Mrs. Leonard Nelson, Prof. W. A. Tucker, Mrs. Andrew Hlad, Prof. and Mrs. A. E. Axelson, Mrs. H. G. Biggers, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Bowles, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Hornbacher, Mrs. George Gilmore, Mrs. Albert Oleson, Mrs. Anna Anderson and Mrs. Jess Adams.
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Mae Bute Kepler was born in Hardin county Ia., May 15, 1868, the daughter of Madison and Letitia Bute. Her parents were of that courageous pioneer stock who contributed so much to the strength of the new state.

When she was six years old, the family moved to Hamilton county, near the location of the present town of Stanhope, where the father purchased a farm from Adam Kepler, who had but a few years before purchased it as a grant directly from the government.

She received her early education in the country schools, and because of her admiration for her teachers, she developed a desire to become a teacher. In keeping with her ambition she attended Jefferson high school and then attended and was graduated from Highland Park Normal College in Des Moines. She followed her chosen profession for twelve years until her marriage in 1899 to Otis Kepler, who was the son of Adam Kepler, from whom her father had purchased his farm.

Mr. and Mrs. Kepler built their home on their farm one-half mile east of Stanhope where they lived all of the forty-one years of their married life, with the exception of two years. When their advancing years made it necessary to retire from active life, they moved to Nevada where they made their home until her death April 5.

Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kepler: Floyd D. Kepler, who now lives in Glendale, Calif., and a daughter, Letha, now Mrs. John Scott of Nevada. The son was unable to attend the funeral of his mother because of the serious illness of his wife.

Mrs. Kepler was a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist church having accepted that faith in 1905, and the firm determination of her character was shown by the fact that she remained true to her faith throughout her life, although (with the exception of two years) she had been the only member of that persuasion in Hamilton county. When she and her husband sold their farm, he insisted that they should move to a community where she might have the privilege of fellowship with other in her faith. Thus the last two years of her life were especially pleasant for her. Her greatest regret concerning her last illness was that it might make it necessary for her to miss church services for the first time in two years. Her death made this unnecessary -- her record remained unspoiled.