Clara Viola ALLABEN

ALLABEN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 11/15/2008 at 22:30:39

Clara Viola Allaben

Saturday morning January 2nd Belmond was again saddened by the news that during the night the death angel had entered the Allaben home in this city and bourne away the sweet, gentle spirit of four year old Clara, the pet of the household, about whom the golden cords of love were so firmly entwined, and in whom were centered so many fond hopes for the future. She was an unusually bright affectionate and gifted child just such a "shining mark" as the King of "Shadows" loves.

She was the youngest of six children of Mr. and Mrs. W. N. Allaben. She was born in Goodell, April 4, 1904. She leaves a father, mother, two brothers and two sisters, one sister, the first born having early left them to dwell with the "lambs of the upper fold".

Last fall, Mrs. Allaben and the children took up their abode in Belmond for a time in order that the older children might enjoy the advantages of our high school. The father having partaken of the New Years dinner with his family was just at the moment of departure for his business at Goodell when the little one was taken very violently ill, baffling the skill of physicians and the earnest efforts of friends and neighbors to relieve the little sufferer, whom they had learned to love during her brief residence
here.

"Little snow white hands are folded on our darlings gentle breast
And we weep in silent sorrow O'er our birdies empty nest."

This, dear friends with so many of earths stricken ones is your sad experience, yet through the mists of sorrow, can you not look away from " the empty nest " here to one of the many mansions near the green pastures and the still waters where clasped in the arms of the little sister whom she never knew in this life, the two await your coming watched and guarded by him who gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them in his bosom? How little you thought when you wished your darling a Happy New Year, that morning that it would be spent there, yet the Good Shepherd who sees all the rugged pathways on life's hillside knows best and "As a mother stills her child" he waits to still the tempest of sorrow that is yours today.

Sunday Jan. 3rd a brief noontide service was held at the Belmond home where Rev. W. U. Parks of the Congregational church spoke words of comfort and cheer, after which the little casket was bourne to Goodell where their pastor Rev. Hartman of the United Brethren church performed another service among the old friends and neighbors. Among whom the beautiful child had ever been a favorite, and who doubtless will strew many flowers over the tiny bed of earth where the loved form sleeps for a little while.

"At the crystal river's brink,
Some sweet day, bye and bye,
We shall find each broken link,
Some sweet day, bye and bye,
And the star that fading here,
Left in hearts and home so drear,
We shall see more bright and clear,
Some sweet day, bye and bye.

Card of Thanks

We desire to express our sincere appreciation of the many acts of kindness and sympathy extended to us by our Belmond and Goodell friends during our recent and severe affliction. Mr. and Mrs. W.N. Allaben.

Source unknown
ca. January 1909