Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-10-09
MORTUARY.


| The clasp of each gentle hand,
And the eyes that smiled on earth cary child,
| As entered the better landl
But words are weak when the soul would speak
OF the angel home above
Faint visions alone are to man made known,
| Of that dwelling of light and love.
Again the sickle of death has cut a
swath and removed from our midst a
sweet spirit to It's eternal home. Tho
the loss is in the home Of a neighbor
and friend, it seems nevertheless, near
to many of US who had learned to love
Miss Mary Gerard, as sister Her
angel spirit, loving kindness and never
ending patience, drew to her many
devoted and warm hearted friends
among cur people both young and old.
1t is the common lot of all to die.
| We know that from this fate there is
no escape. 1t is absolutely inevitable.
We may look for it and see its near
approach and yet are never ready to
receive the grim messenger, no matter
at what hour or in what guise he may
appear.
Miss Mary's spirit passed away in
the morning of Wednesday, Oct. 1st,
1884, at 2 o'clock, at her home in
Centralia, at the age of 81 years, Z
months and % days. She was born
in Omro, Wis, Feb, 6, 1853, and at
the age Of 90 was taken sick in her
native city where she began treatment.
Tn 1874 the family was moved to
this city and since that time had been
treated by the ablest physicians In this
city, Oshkosh, Chicago and Minneapo-
lis, but all to no purpose, as she grad
ually failed until her demise. The
immediate cause Of her death was
chronic rheumatism and consumption.
For more than ten years she had been
constant sufferer, and for the last
four years bel pless invalid. Through
her entire trial she maintained that
admirable cheerfulness of spirit and
patience which everyone loves to see.
| Her chief desire was to do good, and
many are the weary and heavy hearts
that have been lightened by her cheer
full words of love and encouragement.
Her daily life so forgetful of self. was
an ever recurring lesson which flowed
from spirit borne Of the Master, and
thus the Shepherd bears away this
loved one leaving the earl y morning
here so cold and desol ale, but as the
gates swung open one more had en-
tered the day break in Heaven.
Kind hands ministered unto her
with equal devotion and self sacrifice,
and every want was cheerfully met by
her noble people who worked incess-
antly to make her comfortable and
happy as possible. Her life was one
increasing struggle with adverse fate,
but was crowned with corresponding
victories, and friendly hands can frame
no more eloquent eulogy than to re-
cord the lesson which her life teaches.
Her last sickness was painful, but she
bore its tedious approach of death
with patience and resignation She
looked death in the face without a
shudder and calmly awaited it's tri-
umph. Thus peacefully she passed
away.
The inal services were held az their
residence Thursday afternoon in the
presence of assembled friends, Rev.
Rowland officiating Her remains
were removed to the Green Bay depot
to be taken to Omro for interment.
Mr.. n Gerard, her father, and Mrs
r. FL. Gerard and daughter Ora Belle
accompanying the remains to said city.
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