Berniece Cresap Stebbins

CRESAP, STEBBINS, MOORE, RATCLIFF, HALE, MEEK, TOWERS

Posted By: Jean Wenke, volunteer
Date: 3/6/2009 at 14:37:42

Services for Mrs. Berniece Stebbins were held at the Methodist Church, Bonaparte on Saturday, Feb. 6, 1960. They were in charge of Dr. Owen Wilson, Mt. Pleasant. Keith Gaston, accompanied by his wife, sang two numbers. The P.E.O. Service was in charge of Chapter AB P.E.O. Pallbearers were Dr. J.O> Ewing, Harley Pender, Kenneth Mosher of Bonaparte and Henry Holler, Raymond Kerr and Glenn Campbell of Mt. Pleasant.

Berenice Cresap Stebbins was born March 30, 1868 to Margaret Ellen Bradford and John Hanson Cresap, and died Feb. 3, 1960 at the home of her daughter, Louise, near Mt. Pleasant. She began her life in a pioneer cabin, a member of one of the founding families of Bonaparte.

She was one of five daughters, three of whom died in early childhood, and Medora, Mrs. Brown Moore, Sr., who died Dec. 20, 1947.

She received her education in the Bonaparte schools and later worked in the Bonaparte post office.

On Nov. 1, 1899 she was married to Charles Sumner Stebbins. To them were born three children; Charles, who died Dec. 22, 1944; Louise (Mrs. Paul) Ratcliff of Mt. Pleasant and Marjorie (Mrs. Stuart D.) Hale of Buffalo, New York.

In her youth Mrs. Stebbins joined the Methodist Church where she was pianist for many years. Throughout her life she was active in her church and many social and civic groups. She was the last of seven charter members of Chapter AB P.E.O., Bonaparte, Iowa, having been a loyal, devoted member for nearly 69 years.

In addition to her daughters and their husbands, she leaves to mourn her passing a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Joy Meek, Des Moines, and four granddaughters, Mary Ellen Ratliff Kinney, Carol Stebbins Towers, Susan Berenice Hale and Nancy Hale. There are also eight nieces and nephews, as well as a host of friends.

Since her husband's death, she has divided her time in the homes of her daughters and though away from Bonaparte she never lost her interest in the people and activities here. She spent much time with her hobby of needlework which she shared with family and friends. During the last years of her life she had the patient devoted care of her family. Mrs. Stebbins epitomizes the truth that “To live in the hearts one leaves behind is not to die.”

From Dorothy Watson's scrapbook, Bonaparte, Iowa Library