Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-11-05

|
On Friday night, October 29th, there
passed away one of the most loved and
respected citizens of Rocky Ford-Mrs.
Annie Burke Elser.
| Annie Burke, daughter of Henry S.
and Dorinda Burke, was born at Green's
burg, Ind, Jan. l6, 1860. In 1863 her
fathers family removed to Harlan,
Iowa, where she grew to womanhood.
At the age of fourteen she united with
the Methodist Episcopal church. Oct.
13. 1878, she was married to John j.
Elser. In the spring of 1889 the fam
lily came to Rocky Ford where her hus-
band died in 1896.
| Her children, Leroy B. of this city,
Mrs. ]. l.. Smith of Washington. KAN,
Mrs. II. l.. Garner of Sioux Falls, So.
Oak, Mrs. E. G. Rex and j.. Bert of
Rocky Ford, survive her, also brother
Rev. w. F. Burke of Newkirk, Okla,
and two sisters, Mrs. w. II. Ramsey of
Minneapolis, Mimi, and Mrs. c. M.
Robins of Rocky Ford.
Funeral services were held in the
Methodist church. They were conducted
by Rev. Nathan II. Lee. Prayer was
offered by DIR. Mayo, who had conducted
MIR. Elsers funeral services. The SER
mon, beautiful eulogy of IA noble
character, was preached by DR.. War
ner. The lessons read were the nine
tieth Psalm and Corinthians l5:35.
A quartet composed of Mrs. Brig
ham and Mrs. johnson. DIR. Stout and
W. l.. Wishard sang Lift Your GlaG
Voices in Triumph on High" and 80!
God, Our Help in Ages Past" Mrs.
Brigham also sang a solo, There is a
Land Mine Eyes Hath Seen, the
words of which were written by Gurdon
Robins, brother of C. NJ Robins.
All of the children, with the excep-
tion of Bert, were present. DIR. l..
Smith of Washington, Kans., and Mr..
and Mrs. Wicks OF Pueblo, We're here
from distance. The large number of
other relatives and friends in attend
ance evidenced the profound respect
and esteem of the community for Mrs.
Elser and her family.
She was laid to rest in Valley View
cemetery OH Tuesday afternoon, Nov.
End.
In the passing Of Mrs. Elser the com
munity suffers the loss of one whose
life has been full of activity and use
fulness. Since coming to the town
twenty-seven years ago, she has been
identified with every movement for
social betterment, and her heart and
home have been open to all calls for
encouragement and help. Many a
shut-in has been refreshed by the
presence of her CHEEKY smile, her open
face and sunny eyes. She has surely
helped to Move this dark world near
er to the sum- None went to her for
consolation and counsel but came away
inspired by her good cheer and advice.
She was a splendid worker in the
temperance cause, member of the
Women of Woodcraft, a member OF
Chapter r., p. E. o., where her pres
ence in the circle was always Just as
If another candle had been lit.
The missionary society of her church
has found her leader and a worker
whose place will be difficult to fill.
Her class OF men in Sunday School
will long remember the many helpful
lessons learned of her who never found
the morning too stormy nor other
work too pressing to be on duty.
The memory of happy family re-
union three months ago will always be
cherished dearly by the children of this
noble mother.
Her devotion to her home and child.
rem, her love and service for her church
and her zeal and interest in her schoo
) have won for her more than an ordi.
} nary place in the memory of all whose
! lives touched hers.
Seventeen years ago her work in Oui
schools began and continued, with the
exception of a year in the La Junta
schools, up to just month ago, wher
she answered the last summons OF
the school bell.
Her strong personality has left its
mark on the hundreds of children who
: have loved and learned of her.
| Her great desire was that she might
, be useful to the very end of her life
and she was rewarded with the grant
ing of that wish.
Now she has ''passed through the
valley of the shadow, and has reached
: the sunlight of the hills, We shall miss
her, but
:, "They never quite leave us,
Our friends who have passed
Through the shadows of death
D To the sunlight above;
1 a thousand bright memories
Anchor them fast
To the places they blessed
IL With their presence and love. B. 7.