THERME, Mrs. Nellie:

THERME, RICE

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 3/28/2014 at 07:40:45

TRIBUTE TO MRS. NELLIE THERME
by Mrs. W.H. Knott

Many hearts in Farmington were saddened when word came of the death of Mrs. Nellie Rice Therme in Minneapolis.

She was born in Abner Kneeland's Salubria sttlement, a mile or more below Farmington, and having spent the greater part of her life here, she has hosts of friends who recall her loving kindness.

Even as a girl she was noted for her unselfishness, her consideration for others and her willingness to do whatever was expected of her. As a young woman her goodness of heart was such that when a death occurred it was a common saying "We have done all we can; now we must wait for Nellie to come and pin the wings on."

She was a member of the Congregational church. So active was she in performing whatever duty came up that people were wont to say they didn't believe she ever rested except when she was sitting in the church pew. She did her full part in every department of the church.

She belongeed to the P.E.O. Sisterhood in its early days, and to the end of her lifee and was equally active there. She also participated in local activities. She was a member, and later president of the local board of the Des Moines Orphans' Home and helped to place children in suitable homes.

A Burlington woman who visited in a home where she was intimate said "she's one in a thousand. I never saw any one like her."

She did the kindest thinks for all her friends. Little common, everyday things. She would take her waffle iron to the homes where the mother was ill, or where there were several children and make waffles for the family breakfast. She was famous for her waffles. She "did kind things so kindly" and so constantly, they were a part of herself. She did not choose the weathy, nor those in high position. To her the humblest life was divine. Between common people and high class she made no distinction, and all loved her.

Church, Sunday school, Christian endeavor and prayer meeting were all enriched by her presence and activities. She organized a Sunday school at Orchard Chapel, a mile or two from Farmington. There on Sunday afternoons, through hear or cold, she walked out to the chapel, taking a good sized group of boys and girls and young men and women from the town.

In later years her frail health prevented her from being so active. But her devoted sister, Mary Rice, with whom she lived to the end, enabled her to carry out many of the plans of this selfless and exemplary woman. "By angel trumps in heaven her praise be blown."

Source: Scrapbook of Unknown Origin, Page 124B