Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Durkee, Mary Esther (VanHouten) April 30, 1911
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Patricia Currigan currigan1932@comcast.net October 17, 2022, 12:20 pm

Lake Odessa Wave-Times  Friday May 5, 1911

MRS.LESTER M.DURKEE DIES AT AGE FOURTY-FOUR

A True Wife, As Affectionate Mother. A Faithful Wife.

Mary Esther VanHouten, second daughter of Delos and Priscilla VanHouten was born 
in Odessa township, August 7, 1866 and lived there, except a few years the 
family resided at Berlin, until her marriage to Lester M. Durkee, March 29,1883. 
The parental home in Berlin Township was their home  until the the following 
December, when they moved to a new farm, in North Odessa now owned by 
D.D.Durkee. Here they saw the fertile acres reclaimed from the forrest, a house 
and large barn erected. The house was burned with its contents later and a new 
one built. About 10 years ago they bought the present home just west of West 
Sebewa where he died April 30,1911, after some years illness from dropsy and 
heart trouble.

Eight children, five sons and three daughters came to the home, three dying in 
infancy, the five now living being Mrs.Nettie M>Knoll of Bellevue, Mrs. Mable C 
Augst of Grand Rapids, Lawrence, Verge and Gaylord at home. These with the 
husband, an aged father, three sisters, two brothers and six grandchildren are 
left to mourn the early going away of the loved one. She was converted during 
the pastorate of Rev, Geo, Odlium and joined the class at Limerick. Ill health 
prevented church attendance later years but her faith in God & love wavered and 
she went home rejoining.

For more than twenty-seven years the writer enjoyed her friendship and when 
during the last days coming to her we were with her for a time on coming to her 
bed one morning, she greeted us with the old smile and said "good morning  
Sister" we almost forgot her condition.

A true wife, an affectionate Mother, a faithful friend, we will miss her voice 
and councel, but in that home to which she has gone she will develop in the 
sunlight of the Savior's love and when we are done with earth she will greet us 
with "Good Morning."-Contributed

Additional Comments:
Lakeside Cem.#4-542

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