Alma J. (Fillmore) Dickson (1856-1941)

FILLMORE, DICKSON, HOPKINS, WILT, KIMBALL, SCOTT

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

From Nevada Evening Journal January 20, 1941 (page 4)

Final Rites Held for Mrs. Alma Dickson Pioneer Maxwell Lady

Special to the Journal:
Maxwell, Jan. 20--Funeral services for Mrs. Alma Dickson, 84, were held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Methodist church.

The rites were in charge of her pastor, the Rev. John C. Turner and Annie Laurie Chapter, O.E.S.

The floral offerings were most beautiful and profuse. The flowers were arranged and carried by Mrs. D. G. Douglass and Miss Alta Young. With Mrs. Arthur Hale at the piano, a double quartette composed of Mrs. Van Busenburg, Mrs. Leonard Ask, Mrs. C. I. Kirk, Mrs. H. C. Larsen, O. D. Houser, C. B. French, Harry Facker and Martin Troup sand "Lead Kindly Light," "Jesus Lover of My Soul" and "Face to Face."

Members of the Eastern Star chapter sang "Nearer M God to Thee" at the close of their service.

Pallbearers were R. Z. Brown, J. R. Vallandingham, E. L. McQuiston, C. I. Kirk, A. F. Heinrich and William Joor.

The pastor read as part of the life history of Mrs. Dickson the following:

Alma J. Fillmore was born Nov. 25, 1856 near Maple Park, Ill., the daughter of Wm. and Isabell Fillmore who migrated from Nova Scotia to Illinois. At the age of 10 years, she came with her parents by wagon train to Iowa and settled near Walker, Iowa. She received her education in the country an became a teacher. She was married to Norman Wesley Dickson in Maple Park, Ill., in 1880 and moved to Maxwell, Ia., in February, 1884.

She was preceded in death by her husband on September 23, 1923, a child who died in infancy and by her twin brother, Frank Fillmore, five years ago. Three sons, two grandsons and two daughters-in-law survive: Charles W. Dickson, Des Moines, Ia.; Fred L. Dickson, Des Moines, Ia.; Fred L. Dickson, Des Moines; Lawrence L. Dickson, Washington, D. C.; Clarence N. Dickson, Des Moines; Charles W. Dickson, Des Moines; Mrs. Charles W. Dickson and Mrs. Lawrence L. Dickson.

She also has one brother and five sisters living: John Fillmore, Cedar Rapids, Ia.; Mrs. Emiline Hopkins, Independence, Ia.; Mrs. Laura Wilt, Lincoln, Neb.; Mrs. Cora Kimball, Pottersville, Calif., Miss Olive Fillmore, Mitchell, S. D.; Mrs. Mildred Scott, Casper, Wyo.

Alma J. Dickson was active in the church and civic activities. She was a member of the Methodist church for over 60 years, 57 of which she belonged to the First Methodist church of Maxwell, Ia. She was a member of the church choir for many years and president of the Ladies Aid society for 25 years. She was a member of the Women's Foreign Missionary society and charter member of the Women's Society for Christian Service. During the world war she was elected the first president of the American Legion Auxiliary and served for six years. She was a Past Matron of Annie Laurie chapter O. E. S.; a Past Noble Gran and Chaplain of the Rebekahs. She was a member of the Women's club.

Mrs. Dickson enjoyed life and enjoyed meeting with her friends in Maxwell. She looked forward to the monthly birthday party and on her 84th birthday, Nov. 25, 1940, she was quite thrilled to have the Maxwell high school serenade her.

Mrs. Dickson was ready to go. Shortly before her death she told friends that she was getting tired and she was "just waiting for the time to go."