Mrs. Kate Greef 1841-1895

GREEF, MASON, CLARK

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 3/26/2003 at 22:00:10

Death of Mrs. Kate Greef.

The telegram received at Bentonsport last Thursday announcing the sad death of Mrs. Greef brought sorrow to the hearts of many friends in Van Buren county. The brief history of her birth, marriage and death are recorded in few words. She was born in New York, April 5, 1841, and with the family of Lewis Mason moved to Bentonsport, Iowa, sometime in the fifties. Married to Julius Greef at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, March 5, 1862, and died at Pittsburg, Kansas, June 27, 1895, aged 54 years, 2 months and 26 days. Thirty-three years she had been the comfort of her husband’s life, making their home beautiful with flowers and a model of artistic taste in decoration. Generous in hospitality, and cordial in her friendships, she was endeared to many acquaintances who familiarly knew her as “Aunt Kate.” For two years Mrs. Greef had been in declining health without a recognized cause. This spring there appeared symptoms of a settled though hidden disease, and it was with reluctance her husband decided upon a removal from Iowa to Kansas. The change was made to gratify her urgent wish and on April 27, they reached Kansas and soon entered the elegant home it was her hope to enjoy. There, excellent physicians attended her with no encouraging success, and the pain increasing, it was decided that a delicate surgical operation was the last hope for her life. With her consent, an eminent surgeon from Topeka, was called and aided by the two resident physicians, on Monday afternoon, June 24, the task was performed, revealing tubercular adhesion of the bowels. The work was skillfully done, relief afforded the sufferer and buoyancy followed, which was deceptive in hopes excited for recovery. Two skilled hospital nurses were in attendance all the time, and at 3 o’clock Wednesday morning the nurse reported a decided change for the worse. Without rallying, the patient died at five o’clock Thursday morning, June 27, just two months from the date she had left Iowa. Immediate preparations were made for a return to Bentonsport, for the interment of the remains beside those of an infant daughter, their only child. The funeral party with the body arrived in Bentonsport on the nine a.m. train, and at half past one o’clock p.m. the funeral obsequies were held in the M.E. church. The building could not contain the large assemblage of friends who were present to attest a sincere regard for the dead, as well as for the living, who mourned. The funeral services were beautiful and impressive. The officiating clergyman, Rev. Oadams, of Keosauqua, read a portion of John, 14th chapter, choosing the text from Job 5th, 26th verse. “Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, etc.,” expounding the truth in a manner which comforted the bereaved. The Congregational choir of Keosauqua tenderly sang the hymns, “Nearer my God, to Thee;” “From Shore to Shore;” “The Christian’s Hope,” and “We’ll never say goodby in Heaven.” Acquaintances were given an opportunity to view the remains, after which the tired body was mournfully borne to its last resting place in the Bentonsport cemetery. M.L.K.

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Fred W. Greef and son Arthur and Miss Anna Mohler, of Pittsburg, Kansas, accompanied Mr. Greef on his sad journey to Iowa, with the remains of his wife. F.O. Clark and wife, E.R. Mason of Des Moines, and Harry C. Mason of Eldon and Mrs. Ida Shreiner, of Oskaloosa joined the funeral party at the church where reposed the remains of their friend and relative, Mrs. Julius Greef.

[This obit furnished courtesy of the Redheads and the Hansons, previous and current owners of the Mason House Inn]