PIONEER LADY (Mrs. Minervia): Died 1941

BITTINGER, RUSSELL

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 12/9/2013 at 15:01:05

PIONEER LADY

(By Mrs. Margaret Bittinger of Des Moines, written in honor of her grandmother. Mrs. Mike Russell, who died here last month.)
**Handwritten: 1944

"Pioneer Lady Died Today."
That is what the papers say.
"She lived a rich, full life.
A loving mother, a patient wife.
She leaves to mourn her passing
Family, friends and memories lasting."
But there is son much they didn't say;
She had bright blue eyes and hair of gray;
A spirit undaunted, courage too.
A fine sense of justice and principles true;
Always ready to help those in need.
Credit for numberless kind deeds.
From her white house upon a hill
She reigned supreme with a strong will
To her we could always go for advice.
We knew she' help - even sacrifice.
The stories she recalled of bygone days.
Could hold us spellbound every phrase;
The steamboats on the river at night,
Sewing mending by candlelight;
She remembered the building of the first bridge.
And the time the railroad crossed the ridge;
The coming of new faces the passing of the old;
These she noted as on time rolled.
She used to take me on her knee
To whisper little secrets just for me.
We took her up there that go'd day
And reluctantly and gently laid her away.
I know her spirit can never fade,
And her courage has taught us to be unafraid.
That loving soul will live on and on
In the hearts of all, tho' she is gone.
Yes, Pioneer Lady Died Today-
She was my grandmother
I'm proud to say.
M.B.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book C, Page 368, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA