Our community was saddened by the loss of one of our eldest and most loved residents when death claimed Mrs. R. K. Stevens at her home in Page Sunday, May 18. Death came after an illness of only a few days prior to which she had enjoyed good health.
The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at 2 pm, at the Methodist church in Page with Rev. Leo Carpenter officiating. Interment was made in the Page Cemetery.
Pallbearers were six of her grandsons, Elvin Stevens, Wendell Stevens, Keith Waring, Glen Waring, Gerald Waring and Dale Waring.
A mixed quartet composed of Florence Heiss, Thora Miller, Vernie Hunter and A. B. Carmony sang several beautiful hymns.
All of her children were able to attend but two, Willis who lives in Wisconsin and Alva resides in California.
Louisa Jane Andrews, daughter of Henry F. and Polly Ann Andrews was born in Buchanan county, Iowa December 25, 1859. She passed away at her home in Page, Nebraska at 8:30 am Sunday, May 18, 1941 at the age of 81 years 4 months and 23 days.
She spent her early life in Iowa and on August 31, 1878 was united in marriage to Rosco K. Stevens at Marion, Iowa. The following March Mr. and Mrs. Stevens set out in covered wagon from Point Center, Iowa for the west. After nearly three weeks of traveling they settled upon a claim near what was then known as Walnut, Nebraska, just a short distance east of what we now know as Middlebranch, Nebraska.
A good Christian woman, a member of the Baptist Church, Mrs. Stevens, immediately upon locating in her new home stet about her duties as wife, housekeeper, helpmate and churchwoman. She became very active in her church and for several years served as secretary of the North Central District of the Baptist Association in Nebraska.
The Stevens resided on their homestead until October of 1923 when they moved to Page where they have made their home ever since. Shortly after moving to Page Mrs. Stevens transferred her membership to the Page Methodist Church and took an active part in church affairs until confined to her home by her age.
Mrs. Stevens or Grandma as she was more commonly called was preceded in death by her parents and two daughters, Jessie who died in 1898 and Pearl who passed away in 1902.
There remain behind as she goes into the great beyond, her husband "Rock", 8 children, Harry of Sioux Falls, S.D., Clarence of Page, Mrs. Ethel Waring of Middlebranch, Floyd of Fremont, Willis of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Bryan of Page, Alva of Rockland, California and Raymond of Orchard. Also a sister, Mrs. Alice A. Phelps of Sioux City, Iowa and two brothers Albert Andrews of Clarinda, Iowa and John Andrews of Fremont, Nebraska. She also leaves 30 grandchildren 14 great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and many other relatives and friends.
Mrs. Stevens had a very serious illness about 30 years ago which many never expected her to recover. However her strength did return but she was never as strong afterward. The past few years she has been quite closely confined to her home, but has enjoyed fair health. It was only Monday, May 12 that she was forced to bed by a sudden spell of illness from which she never recovered.