Josephine (Higbee) French (1880-1958)

HIGBEE, FRENCH, CLARK, STROTHER, BEAR

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:13

From Nevada Evening Journal February 6, 1958 (page 5)

JOSEPHINE FRENCH

Funeral services were held for Josephine French on Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 21 at 2 p. m. at the Maxwell Methodist church with her pastor, the Rev. George Yetter in charge.

Mrs. Alice Gooden accompanied by Mrs. Ina Larsen at the organ sang, "Lead Me Gently Home" and "Just a Closer Walk With Thee." The floral tributes were arranged and cared for by Mrs. Hazel Witmer, Mrs. Gladys Peters and Mrs. Fannie Thornwall.

The casket bearers were Henry Thornwall, C. B. Rittgers, Larry Dobson, Harry Gibson, H. C. Larsen and John Osborn. Interment was in the Maxwell cemetery.

Obituary

Josephine Higbee French, daughter of Joseph and Meta Higbee, was born in Marion, Iowa, Sept. 18, 1880, and died at the Story County Hospital, Nevada, Iowa on Jan. 19, 1958, at the age of 77. She was one of five daughters, one of whom was her twin.

The family moved to Maxwell, Iowa in 1892, where Mrs. Meta Higbee operated a millinery shop for a number of years, the twins, Josie and Jennie, trimmed hats for their mother. Josie attended Maxwell school and later attended one year at Coe College at Cedar Rapids.

She was united in marriage to Charles B. French, June 6 1900, celebrating in 1950 her golden wedding anniversary. To this union two sons and two daughters were born: Charles Arthur, Catherine Ellen, John Orr and Josephine Ann.

Survivors are her husband, Charles, her two daughters, Mrs. Thurman Clark of Des Moines and Mrs. Louis Strother of Maxwell, one son, John French of Auburn, Iowa, nine grandsons, a sister, Mrs. Ruth Bear of Cedar Rapids and a large host of friends. Charles Arthur preceded his mother in death in March 1946.

Mrs. French was a member of the Maxwell Methodist church; a life member of Annie Laurie Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star; the American Legion Auxiliary, the Rebekah Lodge and the Social Literary Club.