Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1929-01-17
OBITUARY

Esther Matilda Gates was born in
her parents to Minnesota at the age
of IA, and located at Ebenezer, Good
hue county, between Roscoe and Wan
amingo. She was married to Michael
Laying Aug. IS, 1860 and there they
pioneered, driving to Red Wing, the
nearest town for supplies, which was
between 25 and 80 miles away. They
lived there during the outbreak of the
Indians and endured many hardships.
Her father, DR.. Gates, held services
in the Roscoe school house or 8
miles away, and they had
Methodist organization there of which
she and her husband were members
and faithful workers, driving with
oxen to services each Sunday. They
lived there till 1877 when they moved
to Roscoe, about 4 miles southeast of
Ebenezer. They lived there until 1899
when Mr.. Laying died. She then
moved to West Concord, where she
lived until 1909 when she went to
Bruno, Pine county, to make her
home with her daughter. Mary. She
was mother of seven children, five
girls and two boys: George Charles
the eldest, who died when ~ years
of age; Wilbur Grant, who died Oct.
2, 1914 at the age of As; Avalena Ann,
who died Sept. 20, 1924, at the age of
60 years; Laura Maria, who died Jan.
IS, 1899, at the age of "a, are the ones
to precede her in death. She leaves
to mourn her departure Mrs. Ada
Shiels of Sandstone, Mrs. w. A. Santo
of Smith Mills, Mrs. Mary L. Stafford
of Bruno, 10 grandchildren and II
great grandchildren Her life has
been full of active service for those
around her till 8 years ago when she
had her first stroke, but not until 5
years ago was she so she had to be
confined to her home. During those
five years her thoughts were as keen
as ever for others, the community,
church and questions of vital interest.
She never let an opportunity pass to
testify for her Lord and Master, who
was so near and dear to her, and she
was an inspiration to many who Wis
without flowers at her side during the
past five years, and she was a lover
of them Those, who loved her never
| forgot to see she had them. Her
greatest joy was to do something for
others and to the very last her
thoughts were for those around her.
She was confined to her bed for five
weeks, after having suffered the sew
enth stroke, and one week before her
death she contracted the flu and on
Sunday bronchial pneumonia set in
and she passed away Tuesday at 1:2O
a. m. Two weeks before she seemed
| to have been struck with death and
although she had not been able to
speak for some time. sang in whispers,
Jesus, Lover of my Soul" and after
the Rev. Fillinger had sung, Face to
Face with Christ, my Savior" at her
request, she was given a clear voice
to speak aloud and repeat, Blessed
Assurance Jesus is Mine. Oh! What
foretaste of Glory Divine! Heir of
Salvation. purchase of God. Born of
! His Spirit, washed in His blood" A
wonderful testimony to listen to, COM
! ing from the lips of one who had been
! in His service her whole life. Fun
eral services were held in the Presby-
terian church at Bruno Wednesday at
2:30. The services were conducted by
! the Rev. Fillinger. He took for his text,
Having a desire to depart and to be
with Christ, which is far better" He
sang, Face to Face with Christ, my
Savior" Mrs. Laura Laying Billman,
her granddaughter, sang Zone Sweetly
! solemn thought comes to me DER and
Ger" and Mrs. Fillinger and Mrs.
Billman sang a duet, "The Upper