Vena Frances Hellwig Bonar 1859-1926

BONAR, HELLWIG, BRUCE

Posted By: Volunteer - Karen DaPra
Date: 4/8/2003 at 05:29:33

MRS. SCOTT BONAR

Vena Frances Hellwig was born on Home Prairie northeast of Cantril, Iowa, March 31st, 1859, and passed away at her daughter's home in Bloomfield, Iowa, January 15, 1926, aged Sixty-six and two-third years.

She spent her earlier years with her parents on the farm where she was born. Her parents were of German descent, both coming from Germany while young. She enjoyed life very much with her parents and brothers and sisters, of whom there were four sisters and two brothers and having preceded her in death but one sister in Pratt, Kansas, and one one [sic] brother in Red Bluff, Calif.

On July 3rd, 1890, she was married to Scott Bonar and resided on the Scott Bonar farm for 17 years. One daughter was born to this union on the home place, July 8th, 1894. This daughter is now known as Mrs. A. W. Bruce, of Bloomfield. In 1907 the family moved to Milton and lived there 6 years and then moved to Bloomfield where they lived for 11 years and then moved back to the farm in 1924 and have resided there until the time of her death.

Having very devout Christian parents, she gave her heart to God in early life but did not join any church until after her marriage and the birth of her child. She united with the Presbyterian church of Lebanon, Iowa, in 1897. She stood for things right all her life and expressed herself that she was ready to go at His bidding, although she felt anxious to see her grandsons grown.

On Thursday night being sleepless and restless she requested some one to sing for her and several songs having been mentioned she agreed that she wanted to hear "Nearer My God To Thee" and it was sung by Miss Waneta Bell. She was then satisfied and asked for no more.

She leaves to mourn her loss, her husband, Scott Bonar, her companion for 36 years, her daughter, Mrs. A. W. Bruce and her husband and the three grandchildren, Robert Bonar, Matthew Lorenzo and Elizabeth Frances, one brother and family, one sister and family and a host of friends and relatives.

The funeral services were conducted on Sabbath afternoon at 2 o'clock, from the Presbyterian church by the pastor, Rev. C. W. Paden. Special music was furnished by a quartette composed bo Mesdames Steffen and Ostergaard and Messrs. A. W. Kirky, Bloomfield and W. T. Dunlap, Ottumwa, Mrs. Kirby at the piano. The precious body was laid to rest in the I. O. O. F. cemetery north of town.

(Photocopy of this obit found on page 176 of Obit Book "A" of the Van Buren County Genealogical Society's collection at the Keosauqua Public Library in Jan 2001. Name of newspaper and date of obit not given.)

I am NOT related and am posting this obit for those who may find this person in their family history.

[Original post 23 Jan 2001]