Obituary: Winnebago County, Wisconsin: Lillie Adella ASHBY ************************************************************************ Submitted by Kathy Grace, December 2004 © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************************************ Winneconne Local August 9, 1917 p.1 A cloud of sorrow came to Winneconne people and surrounding friends of Mrs. Ashby Saturday morning when her death at St. Mary's hospital, Oshkosh, was announced, due to Bright's disease and tumor. Mrs. Lillie Adella Palmer Ashby was born in Clayton, January 29, 1874, where she spent her girlhood days. After graduating from the graded school, she went to Sturgeon Bay to live at the home of her uncle Wm. Brown and attended High school from which place she graduated. Her mind bent toward teaching, the scholars the Gillingham school being her first charge, then Oak Grove and finally at the scholars at the little school house a few miles south of Neenah on the inner urban line had access to her knowledge and kind ways- until Cupid guided her future life to the care of Major Ashby the surviving and sorrowful husband, the ceremony taking place at Clayton January 16, 1896. The young bride accompanied her husband to farm life in Vinland where they lived happily until three years ago when Mrs. Ashby appeared to be unwell, and her husband sold his farm removing to Winneconne to take life easier. They retained one horse, because Mrs. Ashby enjoyed an occasional drive ab out town or in the country. Things went well until a few months ago when- although keeping her troubles from her kind husband, for fear of his worry about her, the good woman had secret thoughts that her end was near. Previous to a few weeks ago arranged matters as though preparing for her death. Then, later, during her severe illness, the dear woman made a memorandum of her last requests, even including the undertaker who buried her father, mother and sister. During the meantime her many friends and relatives had been kept from the knowledge of her condition, because she wished to cause no one any sorrow- but carried her burden alone- deciding her Creator took care of things rightly, although His decisions being difficult for earthly friends and relatives to contemplate. Thus the deceased held steadfastly, calming the sorrow expressed, asking her husband, their adopted daughter and others not to feel bad or worry. She apparently had resigned her mind from this world of short duration; she was withstanding her earthly suffering to gain Heavenly reward. Having this gift not accorded to everyone, she was humbling herself- thinking of others before self- without thought of exaltation. But this was true to Mrs. Ashby's nature- her usual thoughts being kind hearted, a sincere honest mind, always believe others to be likewise. During the time previous to her death, when medical consultations were held she believed her troubles only would end with death and therefore perfect reconciliation was in her mind. Finally, it was decided on Thursday morning before her death to take her to St. Mar y's hospital, Oshkosh, for an operation for a tumor, believing if here heart could stand the operation and the tumor not hardened her dear life might be prolonged. Her husband accompanied her with C.A. Russell driving his car arranging a comfortable position for the sick woman. She stood the trip but upon arrival at the hospital the doctor decided the case was too severe for an operation, the patient then sinking to death slowly. During the night her husband and nurse and Mrs. G.E. King remained on watch, until death ushered her soul home across the Great Divide at eight o'clock Saturday morning. Her body was taken by auto hearse to Winneconne where her friends and relatives banked her casket with beautiful flowers attesting one of the last forms of respect and remembrances. Deceased was a devout member of the First Baptist church. Her social work had her as a valuable member of the Rebekah Lodge and at the time of her death she was treasurer of the Womans' Relief Corps. Previous to the funeral at two o'clock Sunday afternoon about three hundred people gathered at the residence from which place the funeral was held, services being conducted by Rev. Albert, all to pay their last respects to the departed who was held in high esteem by everyone who had the pleasure of her acquaintance, and offer consolation to the surviving husband, who had been preparing things for the future earthly comfort of the departed soul. The array of thirty-five autos with auto hearse in funeral march showed plainly many people had fond recollections within their hearts of the past kindness and friendships for the deceased. The burial took place in the Winneconne cemetery. She leaves to mourn her loss, a husband an adopted Ruth Bohlman Ashby and three brothers, John Palmer of Sheboygan, Alfred Palmer of Clayton and Stephen Palmer of Antigo. More than one hundred friends and relatives from out of the village attended the funeral. Following are the names of friends, relatives and organizations who registered respect of years gone by with floral offerings: The Women's Relief Corps, Winneconne Lodge of Rebecca's, Winneconne Lodge No. 186 A.F.A.M., Mr. and Mrs. John Palmer, The Prayer Circle, Ruby Stanberry, Sect., Mr. and Mrs. F.M. Stowe, Mr. and Mrs. C.P. Hawksworth and family, Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Ulrich and family, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Barber, Mrs. G.W. Durkee and family, Mr. and Mrs. L.M. Palmer and family, F.L. Smith, Mikesville Sunday school class, Mikesville Ladies' Aid Society, The Neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. R.S. Rasmussen, Mr. and Mrs. E.W. Libby and family, F.L., Mr. and Mrs. John Smith, Mrs. W.C. Mayer, Mrs. Cartwright and Willard, Mr. and Mrs. E.M. Brainerd, Mr. and Mrs. R.M. Brainerd, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lemke, Mr. and Mrs. W.M. Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. G.E. King, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Doty, Mr. and Mrs. H.J. Frank, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Babcock, Ashby Brothers, Mr. and Mrs. Prindle.