Helen Sleeper
| Date of Interment or Death | 09/23/1931 |
|---|---|
| Location | Old Fairview |
| Section | D |
| Block-Lot-Grave | 2-3-5 |
Obituary
Pioneer Woman Passes way on Monday Morning
Funeral Services for Helen T. Sleeper To Be Conducted Wednesday from Congregational Church.
Mrs. Helen T. Sleeper, Richland county pioneer, passed away at the Wahpeton Hospital at 11:30 Monday morning. She had been seriously ill for 10 days and had been ailing for a considerable time. She had been a resident of Richland County since 1879, when she came with her husband, Charles H., to Deville township. Mr. Sleeper has since passed away.
Funeral services are to be held at two o’clock Wednesday afternoon from the Congregational Church. Mrs. Sleeper was an active member of the Order of Eastern Star, a Past Worthy Matron and one of the oldest members, the Red Cross and other organizations, as well as one of the Old Settlers. During the World war she was one of the indefatigable workers in the Red Cross and was awarded the title of “Champion Knitter.”
Mrs. Sleeper, nee Helen T Skillin, was born December 3rd, 1849, at Garland, Maine, and was married December 18, 1873 at Corinth, Maine to Chares T. Sleeper. To this union was born two children, Avis H., a daughter, and a son who died in infancy. With her husband, Mrs. Sleeper came to DeVillo township in pioneer days. Mr. Sleeper died in 1910.
She leaves to mourn her loss, besides her daughter, Mrs. Frank T. Cox, a brother, Warren Skillin, Houlton, Maine, her nieces, Mrs. J H. Sansburn, La Crescent, Minn., Mrs. Lewis J. Crawford, Fargo, N.D. and also nephews and nieces residing in Maine.
The Farmer-Globe will publish a more complete obituary of this splendid pioneer woman in the next issue.
Funeral Services were conducted at the Congregational church here Wednesday afternoon for Mrs. Helen T. Sleeper, pioneer Richland county mother and a recipient of the Red Cross award for services during the World War. Mrs. Sleeper died Monday morning at 11:30 at the Wahpeton hospital. Burial was in Fairview cemetery with the Order of the Eastern Star of which Mrs. Sleeper was a Past Worthy Matron and one of the oldest living members, in charge of the services at the grave. Reverend R. D. Hall officiated at the church. In a brief euliogy, Reverend Hall paid tribute to Mrs. Sleeper and the women who, like her, had done so much for the country and comforted the grief stricken family with well-chosen words from the Divine Scripture.
Helen T. Skillin was born December 3, 1849, at Garland, Maine. She grew to womanhood in Maine and was united in marriage to Charles T. Sleeper, who passed away in 1910, at Corinth, Maine. This union was blessed with two children, a daughter, Avis H., now Mrs. Frank T. Cox, and a son who died in infancy. With her husband, Ms. Sleeper braved the deprivations and hardships of the new Northwest country, and came to DeVillo township, Richland county to make her home in 1879. The couple took up a homestead here and in 1881 they came o Wahpeton, which has been her home since. Mr. Sleeper passed away in 1910, but Mrs. Sleeper retained her interest in community life and had a wide circle of friends.
Shen the World War came, Mrs. Cox responded to the call of her country, becoming an active worker in the Red Cross. She devoted he whole time to knitting for soldiers. She had been a skilled worker with the needle when her family needed her willing hands that they might be protected from the cold. Mrs. Sleeper found that time had not slowed up her fingers and she adopted this slogan, “a sock a day.” The title of champion knitter was awarded her.
Her record was equaled by few women of any age during the war. Her Red Cross service badge was one of her prized possessions.
Mrs. Sleeper was a Past Worthy Matron of the local chapter. Order of Eastern Star, and one of the oldest members.
She leaves besides her daughter, Mrs. Frank Cox, Wahpeton, one brother, Warren Skillin, of Houlton, Maine, and Mrs. J. H. Sansburn of LaCrescent, Minn., and Mrs. Lewis J. Crawford of Fargo, both nieces, and also several nephews and nieces residing in Maine.
Headstone photograph(s)
Location
Old Fairview is located on the southern half of the cemetery grounds.