Lucinda J. Riddle-Prather (Merriman)

Funeral services for Mrs. Lucinda J. Prather were held at the Congregational church Saturday afternoon, Rev. Joseph Pope of Billings conducting the service. A special double quartet-Mesdames Signa Bailey, J.E. Roecher, Marvin Sell, and Miss Margaret Crest; Prof. Ryan, Prof, Erickson, C.D. Paulson and Marvin Sell-sang appropriate hymns. The pall bearers were John Anderson, J.A. Post, R.L. Lewis, Norman Hale, F.R. Hickman and P.A. Bruffey, Interment was in Mountain View.

Deceased was 66 years of age and a native of Jackson county, Oregon, where she was united in marriage to Thomas T. Prather in 1872. In 1882 they came to Montana, locating on the Prather ranch seven miles west of the city. On January 16, 1904, Mr. Prather passed away, but Mrs. Prather continued to live at the ranch until the unfortunate death of an only son, W. T. Prather, when she removed to this city to make a permanent home. During the winter she was taken ill with influenza, then pneumonia, and upon recovering sufficiently left with a trained nurse for the west coast but the change did not prove beneficial and Tuesday of last week she passed away.

Five sisters and two brothers, living on the west coast, and a half brother John W. Chapman of Red Lodge, survive.

Of deceased it need only be said that she was one of the grandest and noblest of women, a woman among women a fact thoroughly attested by the beautiful floral offerings and the attendance at the service of the old timers who in this way gave expression to the high esteem in which deceased had been held during the many years of her residence in this community.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jan 8 2017, 1:52:13 UTC