Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1910-02-09
LOVING MOTHER SUMMONED.
Mrs. II. +. Gibson Passes Away at
Her Home in This City Last
Friday Evening.

Although she had been failing for
some time, she was up and about
the home and only took to her bed
the Monday before she passed away.
In the passing of this estimable
lady the community loses one of its
grandest types of pure, noble, I'M
selfish wife, mother, neighbor and
friend. To those who knew her best
and were near and dear, her loss
is indeed most keenly felt. We are
pleased to print below the beautiful
eulogy on her life by her pastor,
Rev. Willett, who officiated at her
funeral and who knew her in his
boyhood days.
The funeral services were held at
the home Monday at 900 o'clock,
and Mrs. Gibson's remains were
placed in the receiving vault in
Phelps cemetery.
Sarah Ellen Trimble was born in
Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in the year
1884. Her father, for over. twenty
five years was an Elder in the First
Presbyterian Church of Carlisle:
and some few years ago book, call
ed I'm Old Bellaire," appeared, in
which Mrs. Gibson was very much
interested. Under other names, of
course, 1T contained accounts of
people with whom she was we'll ac-
Quainted over fifty and sixty years
ago. She was particularly interest
ed in old characters who were prom
inent in the Ladies Seminary from
which she graduated. 1t was a sort
of renewal of her experiences in
girlish days.
Shortly after her graduation, in
the year 1851, she was married to
Robert +. Gibson, of Bedford, Penn
| sylvania. Shortly after the mar
riage she removed to Akron, Ohio;
and from Akron, after a residence
of seven years, they came to DEBORAH
in August, 1858. And here, for
over fifty-one years, they have been
identified with this community; and
those who have been most thorough
ly identified with her, and whose
iiSAhoi 100 anu lltCo gu UdCh u Tile
earlier times in the history of this
city, are those who naturally feel
as though they knew her the best,
and are most touched at the thought
of her departure.
Blessed" one has said, :" is that
country which has no history" And
| do not know but that we can hand
over this blessing to the hidden life
of the individual; and it was this
quality of life, the Christian, that
most characterized her, for she was
naturally quiet, and she was most
interested in her husband and her
four hildren,-Harold, Robert
Fred, Ellen and May-the eldest
and youngest remaining to morun
her loss, and the other two have
gone on before her.
/ think it is well when those who
know us best, can speak most heart
lily in our praise and that, in all
sincerity, and / have heard many
warm utterances from those most in,
innate with her-husband, daughter
and son; and that which was true of
these was true of her neighbors and
old friends who knew her best, for
hers was life of sterling worth,
of great unselfish Christian faith
which manifested itself in a life of
service.
For over fifty-one years she has
been connected with the Congrega-
tional church in this city, and, dur
ing the years of her strength, was
always in her place in the services
or the Sanctuary. She will be great
ly missed by those in the church
who have known her so we'll through
all these years. Her faith was
strong and effective one, manifesting
itself more particularly in the |
moulding OF her life.
Since her departure here, a little |
hymn-a little bit of verse-first at
tlacted note, which she had filed |
away, in which there were words
OF praise concerning some of the
old hymns-hymns in which she has
joined so frequently during the
years. All these old hymns, / think,
speak well the attitude of her heart |
and mind towards her coming de-
parture. One
When ] can read my title clear
To mansions in the skies,
| bid farewell to every fear,
And wipe my weeping eyes.
Should earth against my soul en-
gage,
And fiery darts be hurled,
Then / can smile at Satan's rage
And face a frowning world.
Let cares like wild deluge come,
And storms Of sorrow fall,
May | but safely reach my home,
My God, my Heaven, my all.
There shall l battle my weary soul
In seas of heavenly rest;
And not wave of trouble roll
Against my peaceful breast.
One other:-
On Jordan's rugged banks / stand,
And cast wistful eye
To Canaan's fair and happy land.
Where my possessions lie.
Oh. the transporting, rapturous
scene,
That rises to my sight;
Sweet fields arrayed in living green
And rivers of delight!