Decatur County Journal

July 8, l909

MARY ELLEN was the third daughter of WILLIAM and ISABEL TURPEN, born

near Pleasanton, Iowa, March 8, l886. She was a bright, intelligent

girl, successful in her studies at school, and at quite an early age

taught in the schools of Decatur County. She was married to JOSEPH S.

ANDERSON, June l7, l906, and together they enjoyed three years of

exceptionally happy married life. They were given two children, the

older one about a year and a half old, the other less than a week, when

she died in the early morning of June 28, l909, at the age of 23 years,

3 months and 20 days.

Two or three days before her death she expressed the conviction that she

was not going to get well, and counseled her husband to carefully rear

the little ones and give them such training as would make them good

children. In the intervals of her suffering she hurried over many of

the old familiar hymns such as, "Open the Pearly Gates," and "God Will

Take Care of You," repeatedly saying how happy she was in the near

prospect of entering the happy land, remarking how easy it was to die.

She had united with the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints, May 5,

l90l, and was earnest and zealous in support of the cause. In various

ways she proved herself a useful member, and for some years had served

as chorister of the local branch of the church. She was exceedingly

amiable and loving in her disposition as well as pure and chaste in all

of her life's relations. In tears of deep grief she leaves behind a

husband with his two motherless babes, a mourning father and mother, two

sisters, MRS. ELSIE HALL and MRS. EMMA MCWILLIAMS, two brothers, FRANCIS

and MARTIN.

Funeral services were conducted at the Saints Church, Pleasanton, June

29, the sermon was by Elder Heman C. Smith, of Lamoni, assisted by

Elders William Anderson and J.F. Garver, of the same place. The respect

and affection in which she was held was attested by the overflowing

house which attended the obsequies. The remains were laid away in the

Hamilton Cemetery to await the resurrection of the just.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert

September l6, 200l