Grace Lynn (Boyer) MacNAUGHTON

MACNAUGHTON, BOYER, ELLIS, WEBB, ARMBRUSTER, LARSON, COLVIN, CULLUM, TIBBETTS, ROSCOE, ALLBAUGH, LOGAN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:49

Grace Lynn Boyer MacNaughton
28 September 1894 ---- 24 February 1961

Last rites for Mrs. Grace MacNaughton were held Monday, afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Methodist church. Mrs. MacNaughton died Friday morning, Feb. 24, in Lutheran hospital, Fort Dodge, where she had been a patient since November. The pastor Rev. Roy Cox had charge of the service, and Robert D. Blue read a tribute which had been prepared by Mrs. Robert D. Blue and Mrs. Wm. Fisher. (It is printed below.)

Interment followed in Rose Hill cemetery.

Here from out of town for the services were Mrs. Gilbert Ellis of Evansville, Ind., Mrs. Effie Webb of Louisville, Ky., Mrs. Willis Armbruster of Annapolis, Md ; Elmer and Jim Larson of Champaign, Ill.; Mrs. Sara Lee Colvin, daughter Jana and son Billy of St. Paul, Minn.; Miss Dona MacNaughton of Mankato, Minn.; William MacNaughton, Luther MacNaughton, Miss Barbara Cullum of Des Moines; Mrs. George Roscoe, Alden, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Guy Tibbetts, Estherville; Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Allbaugh and family, and Mrs. J. M. Logan, Waterloo.

Grace Lynn Boyer was born September 28, 1894 to parents Solomon and Mattie Boyer in Gentryville, Indiana. She was one of nine children. Grace received the training for her chosen career as a nurse, in St. Louis Baptist hospital, St. Louis, Mo. She practiced her profession in Waterloo, Fort Dodge, and Eagle Grove, and on February 11, 1922 was married to Dr. L. D. MacNaughton of Eagle Grove.

Like her late husband, a pioneer Eagle Grove physician and surgeon, Mrs. MacNaughton was a great humanitarian. She served as nurse in the Eagle Grove school system for thirty years, and in that period of time endeared herself not only to the hundreds of pupils but their parents as well.

The welfare of the children in the schools of our city was just one of the myriad of duties Mrs. MacNaughton took upon herself. She became a social worker, and counselor, and in her own special way, showered kindness, attention, clothes and food upon untold numbers of families.

When affliction and disaster hit homes Mrs. MacNaughton was often the first to call and in her quiet, sensible way, helped many over rough spots which seemed insurmountable at the moment.

It is useless to say at this time our school nurse cannot be replaced; she will be of course, but the thoughts and memories of Grace MacNaughton will never be forgotten and the kind deeds will always be remembered.

Mrs. MacNaughton was an active member in the Eagle Grove Chapter of the Red Cross, having served as its president in war days, and also as director of the Home Service department of the chapter for many, many years. She gave her enthusiastic support to all community projects such as the Community Chest, as well as the Woman's Club of which she was a past president and secretary, also a member of the State Board of Child Welfare of the Iowa State Federation for three years.

She served as secretary for three years for the American Legion Auxiliary; was a member of the Public Library board for a time, and also served on the Pension Board for Wright County. From the time of its organization she was a member of the Eagle Grove Nurses Club and had charge of the Loan Closet which furnishes sick room supplies to our citizens.

Her church, the First Methodist, was a prime interest in Mrs. MacNaughton's daily life; she was one of the Eagle Grove women honored by the Women's Society of Christian Service, and was awarded a lifetime pin.

In the spring of 1959. Mrs. MacNaughton underwent major surgery at St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester, Minnesota, but resumed her work in our schools that fall. She was again taken ill in October of last year, when she had further surgery on the 17th of October, returning home the 4th of November, 1960. Her convalescence was not satisfactory and Grace knew that her illness was of a terminal nature, and on the 9th of November asked to be taken again to a hospital. From that day, until the 24th of February, when she passed to her eternal reward, she was at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Dodge.

Mrs. Grace MacNaughton is survived by one sister, Mrs. Gilbert Ellis of Evansville, Ind., one half brother, Westley A. Boyer of Louisville, Ky., one step-daughter, Mrs. Laura MacNaughton Armbruster of Annapolis, Md., and step-son Merryl E. MacNaughton of Eagle Grove. Other survivors include, seven grandchildren, nine, great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Tribute
By Mrs. R. D. Blue and Mrs. Wm. Fisher

It is impossible in a few words to convey even a small fraction of what the life of Grace MacNaughton has meant to this community.

In her quiet, but compelling way, she accomplished for the needy and the sorrowing, more good than can ever be known.

Her many years as school nurse brought her in close contact with thousands of children and their parents in Eagle Grove. Many children will remember the times she carefully bundled them up and took them home when they were ill and if the mother wasn't home, someone was found to stay until her return.

No one knows how many children she, has clothed and made clean and decent so they could attend church and school. Her heart was kind and loving. She had a compelling desire to help handicapped and crippled children and she knew whom to contact to get the help for them that they so desperately needed. "I am sure they can be re-habiliated," she would say.

One deaf girl was very poor. Her parents did not want to accept charity. The case was brought to the attention of a company who made hearing aids and the girl was provided with an aid made especially for her. She had been antagonistic and was fast becoming a delinquent. After the hearing aid was secured, she said to teacher, "You don't need to shout at me, I can hear now as well as you can." Her school work improved. She became self-supporting instead of a delinquent.

Polio struck! A boy was in a wheel chair, had no desire to help himself. Through individuals and various agencies, Grace was instrumental in securing quite a sum of money to send him to a trade school to learn watch making. Today he is earning a good living and is a respected member of his community. The influence of these rehabilitated lives cannot be measured.

Dozens of children needing eye glasses, dental work, warm clothing, overshoes, etc., have been helped.

Her heart went out to the sorrowing. Boys in the service and their families will always remember how she many times was instrumental in bringing them home through the help of the Red Cross who provided quick financial aid. To a sorrowing wife or mother alone until relatives could come, Grace, would say "Are you going to the hospital alone? It is late, I'll take you, or I will stay with you until your family comes."

Said one woman: "Her concern for others was always paramount. When I was a child, my sister was very ill and my parents had to leave suddenly. Someone was to take care of me. Then I got very sick, Grace took me home with her and put me to bed. She and Dr. MacNaughton took care of me until I was well.

These are but a few instances that characterized our friend. As the years pass the influence of her life spreads like a pebble dropped into the water. As the ever widening circles spread outward, so her influence will continue to be felt.

Many of us cherish in our hearts the memory of the quiet, loyal and loving friend. It was a privilege to know her. We are glad she was our friend. Her heart was gentle and kind.

EAGLE GROVE EAGLE -- Eagle Grove, Iowa
March 2, 1961

source - Paul Wilde