Decatur County Journal

January 24, l907

SARAH AMANDA SPURGEN was born at Electa, Hamilton County, Indiana, June

28, l85l. Came to Iowa with her parents June l3, l855. Was married

February 6, l873, to SYLVESTER EMMETT GARDNER, who preceded her to the

spirit land almost 7 years ago. After their marriage they moved to

Kansas for a short time but returned to Iowa and resided north of Leon.

They were the parents of five children; AUSTIN, who died April l4, l877;

ALBERT, BLANCH, ETHEL and ROY, who are present with us today. She and

the other children moved to Mitchell, South Dakota, March, l903; then to

McClure, July, l906, where she passed away January 20, l907.

She became a member of the Christian Church when a girl of about l4

years of age. She remained a member of that church until her death.

Certainly if ever there were those who fulfilled the Scripture: "Pure

religion undefiled before God and the Father is this: To visit the

Father and widow in their affliction and (can't read), himself unspotted

from the world," it was she and her loved companion. Ever ready and

willing, never too busy and never too cautious to do their duty and even

at the risk of exposure to themselves. Certainly the many loving

remembrances which come to show their respect and gratitude speak more

than words can tell.

Funeral services were held at the Christian Church, January 27, at 2:30

p.m. after which loving hands laid her away to await the resurrection

morn when Christ shall call forth her sleeping form to be with Him.

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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert

October ll, 200l

(This was very light and hard to read; I apologize if the dates are

possibly incorrect..)