Maria Wakefield
| Date of Interment or Death | 03/30/1908 |
|---|---|
| Location | Old Fairview |
| Section | C |
| Block-Lot-Grave | 3-7-2 |
Obituary
Maria Wakefield-1908
DEATH OF MRS. O. J. WAKEFIELD Maria E. Cline was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, Aug. 31, 1874, where she received her education and taught school. She was married to Mr. O. J. Wakefield in 1880 and came to Wisconsin with her husband, residing there three years. They then moved to Morris, Minn., and after ten years removed to Dwight, N.D. In 1894, Mr. and Mrs. Wakefield came to our own little city of Wahpeton in which place they have since made their home. Mrs. Wakefield’s death occurred Thursday, March 26. At her bedside was her devoted husband and a few friends. She had been an invalid many years, suffering intensely at times, and during the past few months of her life suffered continuously, but she bore all with a heroism and fortitude rarely seen.
The funeral service was on March30th, Rev. E. D. Gallagher, pastor of the Congregational church, and Rev. G. B. Barnes, their former pastor and friend for years, officiating. A few friends gathered at the home on Sixth Street, and after prayer by Rev. Barnes and the singing of “Lead, Kindly Light” and “Cast Thy Burden on the Lord” accompanied the sorrowing relatives to the other home, the Congregational church.
Here a large company had gathered to pay their last token of love and respect to Mrs. Wakefield, and show their sympathy for her husband. Several features of the service were in accordance with Mrs. Wakefield’s expressed wishes. Beautiful floral offerings decked the coffin and surrounded the altar, testifying to the devotion of many
loving hearts. Schubert’s “Farewell” was sung; scriptures was read and prayer offered by Rev. Gallagher; Mrs. Meckstroth sang “My Ain Countree,” a favorite solo; the touching funeral address was given by Rev. Barnes, after which the choir sang “He Giveth His Beloved Sleep.” The body was then taken to Fairview cemetery, still surrounded by friends whose hearts had been hers from the time they first knew her.
Mrs. Wakefield was attended during all the years of invalidism by a husband whose self forget fullness and devotion was a constant help to her in her brave struggle for life. Besides Mr. Wakefield, their only son, Herbert, whose work as civil engineer in the government employ at Pine Bluff, Ark., prevented his home-coming, and two nieces Mrs. Malchow of Denver., and Mrs. Parso, Windom, Minn., mourn her death. Those from out of the city who attended her funeral were Miss Hulbert, a cousin of Mrs. Wakefield’s and Mrs. Geo. Darling, Morris, Minn., Mrs. Chas. Parso, Windom, Minn., and Mr. Mrs. Ira Brown, Fergus Falls, Minn.
Mrs. Wakefield actively and fearlessly identified herself with interests that stood for the advancement of the community in which she lived. She and her husband united with the Congregational church in Wahpeton in 1884, and from that time have been actively connected with every movement for the advance of the cause for Christ, freely giving their services and their financial support in all departments of church work.
Headstone photograph(s)
Location
Old Fairview is located on the southern half of the cemetery grounds.