The Edgar Sun (Edgar, NE) Fri, Sep 29, 1933 - pg. 1

Mrs. Joseph Alkire
Nancy Ellen Jordan was born in the state of Illinois n September 15, 1845 and departed this life at Elm Creek, Nebraska September 21, 1933 at the age of 88 years and six days.

She was a daughter of Cyrus and Rhoena Jordan and one of a family of fourteen children. When she was but a few years old the family moved from Illinois to the state of Iowa where the girl grew to womanhood.

On March 9, 1865, she was married to Joseph Alkire, who had recently been discharged from the services of his country in the Civil War. The young couple settled in Iowa for a number of years and later, in the spring of 1872, came to Nebraska where they took up a homestead in Fillmore County. Here they established their home, raised their family and shared with others the dangers and hardships of early pioneer life.

In 1893 the family moved to a farm near Edgar, Nebraska, and continued farming in the vicinity of Edgar until their children were grown and had all gone out to establish homes of their own. Finding themselves alone, once more, in the natural course of human events, Mr. and Mrs. Alkire left the farm and established their home in Edgar where they lived happily together until the demise of Mr. Alkire in the year 1923.

Following the departure of Mr. Alkire, his widow continued her residence in Edgar, living alone for several years during which time she had the misfortune upon two different occasions to fall and break her leg. Thereafter, about two years ago last June, she was persuaded to give up her home in Edgar and to go to live with her son, Frank, at Elm Creek.

This was her last home upon earth.

Mr. and Mrs. Alkire were the parents of nine children of whom one, William Chester, died in infancy. Those surviving are; Jesse E. Alkire, Overton, Nebraska; Alva L. Alkire, Pine Bluffs, Wyoming; Rhoena Gunn, Mechanicsville, Iowa; James C. Alkire, Hamilton, Montana; Franklin D. Alkire, Elm Creek, Nebraska; Agnes Smock, Edgar, Nebraska; Walter E. Alkire, Sioux City, Iowa and Riley Alkire, Edgar, Nebraska.

These together with thirty-one grandchildren, fifty-nine great grandchildren and many other relatives and friends mourn the loss of the departed.

Of all of her own brothers and sisters only three survive Mrs. Alkire. They are Mrs. George Basey, Edgar, Nebraska; Mrs. Susan Richardson, Sigourney, Iowa and Charles Jordan, Hebron, Nebraska. Another brother, A. C. Jordan was laid to rest at Lyons, Kansas, only a few days ago.

Mrs. Alkire lived an energetic and industrious life. She was a loving mother and a faithful wife and was thoroughly devoted to her family. She was a good neighbor and a loyal friend.

At the age of fourteen years Nancy Alkire became a member of the Christian Church in which she served her Lord faithfully for many years and in which she retained her membership until the end. She died, even as she had lived in the Faith. She "came to her grave in a full age like as a shock of grain cometh in his season" and "as one who draweth the drapery of his couch about him and lieth down to peaceful sleep," she quietly passed over unto the land beyond. May God deal graciously and mercifully with her undying soul.

Funeral services were held at the Edgar Christian Church Saturday, September 23, at 2:00 p.m. conducted by Rev B. H. Schrader. Interment was made in the Edgar Cemetery.
Contributor: Jan Plambeck (46975511) • [email protected]