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Submitted: 5/1/09 • Approved: 5/1/09 • Last Updated: 8/14/15 • R8331-G8331-S3
Birth: Jan. 18, 1858
Death: Mar. 2, 1947
Mrs. Alice Shreve Dies At the Age of 89 years
One of Dell Rapids' most beloved citizens and last Gold Star mother of World War I, Mrs. Alice Shreve, passed away here at her home early Sunday morning, March 2nd, following several months of intense suffering. Since late in September she had been confined to her room, but her advanced age with complications proved to be too much for her to overcome and she steadily grew weaker until the end, when she passed quietly away in her sleep. During her illness she was always patient and endured her pain with great courage, until the last few days when she asked her Redeemer to take her home to rest.
Mrs. Shreve was one of Dell Rapids most loved personalities and kind disposition endeared her to the many who knew her. Always her first thought was kindness to others and she never failed to contribute material needs, a beautiful flower, or a cheerful word of kindness to those in distress or need. During the recent war she wrote letters to many of the local boys in camps and did everything possible for their comfort while they were away in service.
On February 18th of this year she observed her 89th birthday anniversary. She was the daughter of Samuel and Fannie January, born at Henry, Ill. She spent her childhood days in Minonk, Ill., where she was educated in the public schools. At the age of 16 she started teaching school, in the first school of her community to boast of factory made desks and seats. On January 12, 1881, she was united in marriage to James Taylor Shreve, at Minonk.
Mr. and Mrs. Shreve moved to Omaha, Nebraska, in 1883, later locating at Alexandria, Neb., where they resided until they moved to Dell Rapids in 1894.
She was preceded in death by her husband, who passed away July 14, 1928, and three sons, Frank, Herbert, and Edson, the latter giving his life in World War I. Surviving are three daughters: Mrs. Minnie Stull of Dell Rapids, Mrs. Fannie Barrick, Winfred, and Edna Shreve, who has remained at home and cared for her mother.
There are three grandchildren: Mrs. Roy Sherman, Libby, Mont.; Glenn E. Barrick, Los Angeles, Calif. and Robert Shreve in this country service, now in Korea. There are also five great grandchildren, Alan, David, and Gail Sherman, Glenn and Barbara Barrick.
Mrs. Shreve has been a life member of the Methodist Church, and as long as her health would permit she was active in the work. She was one of the charter members of the American Legion Auxiliary of the Dell Rapids post, has been interested in other civic organizations and has always been for the betterment of the community in which she lived and loved. She as a great reader and even in recent months she kept herself well informed on all local and national affairs.
Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock at home and at 2:00 at the Methodist Church, in charge of Rev. Ben Johnson, local pastor, with Rev. Wendell Johnson, of Colman, delivering the sermon. Burial was made on the family lot in the Dell Rapids Cemetery.
The esteem in which the deceased was held in the community was evident by the large attendance at the funeral. The George A. Fitzgerald Post American furnished a guard of honor and pall bearers and the Legion Auxiliary attended in a body. Pall bearers were H.T. Dieson, W.F. Voy, M.E. Wicks, Lyman Merry, Henry Merry and E.P. Shively, Flag bearers and guard, Xavier McCarthy, Lawrence Geraets and John Munk.
Friends and relatives from a distance were Mr. and Mrs. John January, Clear Lake, S.D.; Robert Fordham and Mrs. Verda Lewis, Britton; Mrs. M.E. Markham and Mrs. Roy Sherwood of Sioux Falls; George Demaray, Mrs. Ellis Edwards, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Terwilliger, Rev. and Mrs. Jurgensen and daughter Lavine, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Lingbeck, Mrs. Will Charles and son Robert, Mrs. Vergil Redfield and Miss Dora Krog all of Winifred; Mrs. Ida Holdrege, Trent, Mrs. Mary Walters, Mrs. Carl Seefeldt, Mrs. Bert Alverson, Mrs. Art Florian and Mrs. Abby Brown of Chester.
Contributed on 5/1/09 by dellsfig68
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Record #: 8331