Departed this life January 4, l89l, at 2 o'clock and 23 minutes in the
morning at her residence in Center Township, Decatur County, Iowa, MRS.
HELEN D. GARDNER, wife of MR. JOHN M. GARDNER.

MRS. GARDNER was born in Stark County, Ohio, August l0, l833.  She was
the daughter of MR. SAMUEL and MRS. ALICE DAWSON.  She was married to
MR. JOHN M. GARDNER, October l, l854, and they came to Decatur County,
Iowa, May 22, l857.  MRS. GARDNER was baptized March 5, l863, by ELDER
FISK, of the Christian Church.

MRS. GARDNER was the mother of four children, two of whom departed this
life before their dear mother, namely: LEWIS B. and GEORGE D. GARDNER,
and were followed by their dear mother January 4, l89l, leaving two
children, SARAH ALICE and JOHN M.B. GARDNER, her husband, two
grandchildren, two sisters and one brother to mourn their loss.  That
MRS. GARDNER was a true helpmeet none will doubt who were acquainted
with the family.  Industrious, economical and faithful as a wife,
affectionate as a mother and kind as a neighbor, ever ready to help when
disease or death invaded the home of her neighbors.

The funeral services were held at the residence of her bereaved husband,
conducted by the writer, assisted by BROTHERS HOHANSHELT and GRANDSTAFF
and the kind neighbors on the 5th day of January, l89l, when three
beautiful hymns--Nos. 20, 36l and 207 of the Gospel Hymn Book--were
sung, No. 207 being her favorite hymn.  Suitable passages of the Bible
were read--the l4th chapter of Job, beginning with that sublime but
melancholy picture of the frailty of man, and the latter part of the
l5th chapter of I Corrinthians, where the glory of the quickened,
resurrected, incorruptible, celestial bodies of the Saints is so
beautifully set forth.  Also other selections of scriptures were read
and prayers offered and remarks made thought to be proper for the
occasion.  After which the body was conveyed to the Leon Cemetery
attended by the friends and kind neighbors and placed in the vault built
of marble and English cement; there to await the time when God shall
call the sleeping dust from its repose.  See Job, l4th chapter, l5th
verse.  Thou shalt call and I will answer thee; thou wilt have a desire
to the work of thine hands.
                                     THOMAS WALLER
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