Another loved one and friend has been called home. It is not as though it were without hope for now, at this Christmas tide, we are coming to see a fuller meaning of our hope. Christ gives us this hope.

Nancy Dennis Burkman, daughter of William and Nancy Gillespi, was born at Laredo, Linn County, Mo., November 11, 1872, and went on to her reward December 18, 1945, being aged 73 years, 1 month and 7 days.

She grew to womanhood at the home of her birth, and on June 26, 1888, united in marriage to Thomas Dennis at Haseville, Mo. three children came to bless this home, one daughter dying in infancy. Mr. Dennis passed away April 29, 1931. In August of 1938, she married Frank Burkman, with whom she lived but a few months.

On March 13, 1896, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis came to Fairmont, Nebr. Through these years that they lived here, have been those years of grasshoppers, drouth, blizzard and good crops. All these they have experienced. It is wonderful what faith and hope can do to one during these periods of adversity. We of today can little understand what our earlier forbears endured throughout their privations and hardships. Yet, this one thing is clear, it tested their faith in God. It developed hardy and strong character. It created real neighborliness. It made a nation of which we are all proud. It made home a place of love and care and she wanted always to be at home. Even in these last days, her wish was always to be at home. She would not allow her chickens to be sold before they took her to the hospital. She was coming back to take care of them.

She, with her family, united with Grace Methodist church shortly after coming to Fairmont and had remained faithful in her trust.

In passing, she leaves behind two daughters, Mrs. Ida Albro of Fairmont and Mrs. Geniza M. Eggleston of Sacramento, Calif.; one sister, Mrs. Ida Rentfrow of Loup City; two brothers, John Gillespie of Havelock and Charles Gillespie of Grand Island; 17 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, as well as a host of friends.

Funeral services were held at Grace Methodist church in Fairmont Thursday afternoon, December 20, at two o'clock, Rev. Fishel and Rev. Richards officiating. The singers were Mrs. W.R. Dorrance, Mrs. Rufus Dado, Oliver Moul and Alden McFadden, with Mrs. A.A. Ashby as organist. Pallbearers were six grandsons, Gilbert Albro, Francis Albro, Dennis Albro, Federal Bridgman, Edmund Ackerman and Hubert McClellan. Interment was in the family plot in the Fairmont cemetery.

Fillmore Chronicle (Fairmont) December 27th, 1945 page 2.

--------------------------------
Daughter of William H. and Nancy (Young) Gillespie.
Sister of Andrew Jackson "Andy" Gillespie.
Married Thomas J. Dennis on June 26, 1888.
Married Frank Burkman.
Lot owner: George Dennis