Esther Caroline (Ives) Luce (1834-1906)

FOOTE, IVES, LUCE RADLEY

Posted By: Eileen Reed
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:46

After a lingering sickness covering a period of several months, Mrs. J. B. Luce passed peacefully to the great Beyond at about six thirty Tuesday evening. At times during her sickness, she would rally but old age finally gave up the struggle and the soul went home to its Maker. Two daughters, Mrs. Foote and Mrs. Radley, were at the bedside of their mother in her last moments. Her death was not unexpected and came as an ending to a life of good, cheerful Christian characteristics.

Mrs. Luce came to Goldfield twenty-two years ago and during that time has won the hearts of her friends and neighbors by her gentle manner and ways. Kind hearted and cheerful always, she was liked by everyone, and her loss will be mourned by the whole community.

Esther Caroline Ives was born in Whiting, Vermont, in 1834. In 1864 she moved with her parents to Pavilion, Ill., where she resided until 1856, removing to Earlville, Illinois. In 1849 she made a confession of saving faith in Christ and on May 20th ot the same year was baptised into the church at Pavilion, where she was a faithful member for seven years. On November 12th, 1850, she was united in marriage to Mr. J. B. Luce. This worthy couple walked side by side and bore each others burdens and shared each others joys in the pilgrimage of life for nearly fifty-six years. Six years after marriage she removed with her husband to Earlville, Illinois, where she united with the Baptist church by letter. Here she spent the best years of her life in active Christian service. In 1874 she came with her family to Goldfield, Iowa, where she continued to reside until her death, which occurred October 9th, 1906. She was the mother of four children, one of whom died in infancy and the other three, Mr. I. G. Luce of Earlville, Ill., Mrs. J. A. Radley of Valeria, Iowa, and Mrs. F. C. Foote of Iowa Falls, lowa, were all present at the funeral. Besides her husband, three children and nine grandchildren, three sisters and a large circle of friends are left to mourn her departure.

The funeral services were held in the Baptist church Thursday afternoon at two thirty, Rev, Zellhoefer of Eagle Grove preaching the sermon, Rev. Eaton a former pastor, assisting. The remains were laid to rest in Glenwood cemetery. A large concourse of sympathizing friends followed the body to its last resting place.

F. O. Foote, Miss Jessie and Alfred of Iowa Falls, J. A. Radley and Miss Mae of Valeria were relatives from a distance in attendance of the funeral besides those mentioned.

The Goldfield Chronicle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
Friday, October 12, 1906
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The funeral of Mrs. Luce was held on Thursday at the Baptist church and was largely attended by sympathizing friends, A good woman, and a true friend. After years of suffering has gone to her rest. Her three surviving children were all present. Mr. I. G. Luce of Earlville, Mrs. F. C. Foote of Iowa Falls and Mrs. J. A. Radley of Valeria, Iowa, with several of her grandchildren. Rev. Zellhoefer of Eagle, a friend of the family for some years officiated assisted by Revs. Eaton and Whistler.

The Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, October 18, 1906
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Mrs. J. B. Luce, who had been a patient sufferer for a long time entered into her long rest on the evening of October 9 at her home here. She was seventy-two years of age. She had not been outside of her house for over two years. The funeral was held at the Baptist church, on Thursday afternoon of which organization she had long been a valued member, Rev. Zellhoefer, of Eagle Grove, preaching the funeral, he being an old friends of the family, Rev. J. G. Eaton and Rev. J. M. Whistler, the present pastor, assisting. The music was tenderly appropriate. Mrs. Luce had been a Christian ever since her fifteenth birthday. A husband, one son and two daughters and several other relatives and friends mourn her departure. A large crowd was present at the services and few dry eyes were in the audience as they remembered the many kind acts and many helpful suggestions that she had performed during her life. The daughters, Mrs. Foote, of Iowa Falls, and Mrs. Radley, of Valeria, and their husbands and children were present at the funeral. Miss Mae Radley has been here for some time with her grandparents assisting them. Miss Jessie Foote, another granddaughter, has also been very helpful in the long illness of her grandmother. Interment was made in the Goldfield cemetery. –Goldfield

The Times-Gazette --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
Friday, October 19, 1906