Clara Magdalene (Nefzgar) COURSON

COURSON, NEFZGAR, NEFZGER, BURLING, BROOKS, CRAWFORD, STEVENS, KNOWLES

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/25/2016 at 21:49:12

November 8, 1861 ---- May 16, 1931

Mrs. Courson, 69, Dies After Short Illness

Funeral Services Held Monday Afternoon for Methodist Church Member of 48 Years

Although it was known that her illness was serious friends of Mrs. Clara Courson were surprised to learn of her death on Saturday afternoon, as she had been ill but a short time. Funeral services for this good woman were held Monday afternoon at the Methodist church in charge of the pastor, Rev. F. W. Ortmeyer, who was assisted by Rev. J. C. Buthman of Belmond.

The following obituary was read, after which the interment was made in Evergreen cemetery. Clara Magdalene Nefzgar, oldest daughter of Jacob and Ann Burling Nefzgar, was born on the 8th day of November, 1861, at West Union, Iowa. Shortly afterwards she moved to Albany, a small nearby town. When she was six years old her father was killed in an accident while erecting a gristmill. Her mother then moved to Cedar Falls, where the daughter Clara attended school until she was eighteen years old. She then went to Postville, to teach school. In January, 1882, she was united in marriage with W. W. Courson. They immediately came to Wright county and started housekeeping on a farm eight miles northwest of Clarion, where they resided until 1886, at which time they moved to Clarion. Since the death of Mr. Courson in February, 1920, she continued to make her home in Clarion, but spent a great deal of the time away from home; some of it with her daughter Nina in Los Angeles and some with Louise in New York, besides taking two or three trips to European countries. It was during the last of these trips that the weakness developed that ultimately resulted in her death eight days after arriving in Clarion. While often away from home, Mrs. Courson was a great home lover and there more content.

Mrs. Courson leaves to mourn her going besides other relatives and many friends two daughters Nina and Louise of Clarion; two sons, Robert of Belmond and Elmer of Kansas City; one brother Fred Nefzgar of Emmett, Idaho, two half sisters Miss Nina Brooks and Mrs. Frank Crawford both of Independence, Mo., and two aunts, Mrs. Lizzie Stevens of Holloway, Minn., and Mrs. Alice Knowles, who has been living with Mrs. Courson for several years.

While Mrs. Courson was a member of various social and literary groups in Clarion her main interest was centered in the various organizations and activities in her church. She was a member of the local Methodist Episcopal church for forty-eight years; taught in the Sunday school for over twenty-five years; held important offices and was active for many years in the ladies aid and foreign missionary, the church board and church treasurer for a period of years, she was very generous in her donations and gifts both to the local church and the interests of the church at large. She was active in the promoting of the building program of the church some twenty-seven years ago and also took an important part in the planning of the recently completed basement and remodeling program.

In disposition, Mrs. Courson was quiet, modest and humble, hers was in every sense a true christian life; beautiful in its conservation to God and fellowmen; her faith was simple and deep—her prayer lite earnest and effective; she was a friend of and an inspiration to every pastor that served the church of her choice.

The Monitor --- Clarion, Iowa
May 20, 1931