Letha May Houck

Times-Republican Thursday February 26, 1920 p. 6

Mrs. Wm A. Hale

Letha May Houck was born at Bedford, Iowa, Jan. 13, 1861, and departed this life, Feb. 17, 1920. She was married to Wm. A. [sbury] Hale, Nov. 24, 1881. Immediately after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Hale moved to Clarinda, Iowa, where they remained for 18 months, moving back to Bedford. With the exception of this short stay in Clarinda, all the life of the deceased was spent in Bedford.

Six children came to bless the new home, thus established. Olive had but tasted life, when the Master took her home at the age of 24 months. Later three of the children were taken down with the diphtheria, and at this time Edith, nine years of age, was taken. In 1915, Edna, who had entered in her 30th year, who had heroically fought for health for several years, passed out of this life.

Mrs. Hale and her family knew what it meant to meet bereavement. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Houck, who made their home with them, left their earthly abiding place, Nov. 1, 1909, and March 1, 1917, respectively.

The husband of the deceased, Mr. Wm. A. [sbury] Hale, died in March, 1910. It was the sustaining grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, which kept Mrs. Hale in her spirit of sweetness during these years. To her the words of the poet had their full meaning:

My Jesus as thou wile:

O may thy will be mine;

Into thy hand of love

I would my all resign.

Through sorrow or through joy,

Conduct we as thy own,

And help me still to say,

“My Lord, thy will be done.”

When a very young lady she identified herself with the Methodist church of Bedford, and was always deeply interested in the church, in the work of the Aid and missionary society, and Sunday school. When her family duties would permit, she was found at her post in the church. In honor of her 59th birthday, she brought her missionary gift to the Sunday school Jan. 16th. Feb. 1, 1920, she was in her place in the church service, this being the last time she was ever away from home.

She leaves three children, Alice, Carolyn and Charles; also a brother, Charles E. Houck of San Francisco, to mourn her departure. The entire neighborhood extend their sympathies to the bereft family.

Short funeral services were conducted by Rev. John F. Arnold from the south porch of the Hale home Thursday afternoon. Interment [was] in South Lawn cemetery.

Thus comes to an end, so far as active service in this life is concerned, the activities of a loving mother, neighbor and friend, but the fruits of her life will go on and multiply in the lives of those left behind and who today are sad because she has gone from among us.