Mrs. J. R. Flatt died at her home near Gordonsville Monday evening, January 14, at ten o'clock after an illness of several years during which times he suffered intensely but always with Christian fortitude and with faith and confidence in her Saviour. The funeral services, which were held Wednesday forenoon at the M.E. Church here, were conducted by Rev. W.E. Young, pastor of that church and were attended by a large congregation of friends and neighbors. The remains were interred in Greenwood cemetery beside those of her husband, who died about six years ago.
Louisa Sutherland was born in 1841 in Madison, Dane Co., Wis. In 1869 she united in marriage with John R. Flatt and shortly after that they came to this county, where they lived until God called them to that better land. Mrs. Flatt was the mother of six children, five of whom, Arthur, David, Mrs. F.A. Pierce and Miss Alice still survive. One son, Frank died in infancy.
The following from the Worth County Index speaks highly of the hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Flatt: "Mr. and Mrs. Flatt were early settlers in the Gordonsville neighborhood and for many years their home was a veritable hostelry, where people turned in for any cause, or for no particular cause except that they liked to, and always found wholehearted, bountiful hospitality, and found it without money and without price. They took a lively interest in everything that would tend to promote the welfare of their community, and were active in all social, religious and other work that came to their hands. Their memory will live in many hearts as that of kindly genuine and helpful who within their sphere did what they could to make the world bright and cheerful to others."
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Louise Sutherland claimed her father was Chester Sutherland of Dane county, Wisconsin. In the 1850 census she was living with the Chester Sutherland family but her last name was Rape. Research for other Rape's in Dane county at that time and found other children all living with different families, but no adults by that name. Further research found the children's baptismal records in Pennsylvania showing they were the children of David and Margaret (nee Rockel) Reb/Raph/Rape (each name was used by David).

Sarah Louise Rape was born on 16 March 1840, in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, to David and Margaret (Rockel) Rape, the fifth of six children. On 5 Jul 1840, she was baptized in the Christ U.C.C. "Little Moore" Church of Northampton County, Pennsylvania. Sponsors were Johan Heiny and Barbara. The family emigrated west to Wisconsin leaving the eldest child Adam in Pennsylvania. In October 1849, she and four of her siblings were orphaned, and split up to different homes in Dane County, Wisconsin.

Louise lived with the Sutherland's for about 20 years. She married John R. Flatt on 21 January 1869, in Dane County, Wisconsin, and they went to Freeborn county, Minnesota where they farmed and raised a family.

When Louise was taken in by the Sutherlands she was about nine years old. She helped raise all the Sutherland children. Louise stayed with the Sutherlands until she was 29 and was married. She was never adopted. She was never mentioned in the Sutherland will. She was just hired help, but she used Sutherland as her maiden name.