The Wadena Pioneer Journal, September 16, 1926

PASSING OF MRS. GEO. E. COONS, SR. –
Resident of County Since 1879 Passed Away Here Monday Evening

Forty-seven years as a resident of Leaf River township and of this city were concluded for Mrs. Geo. E. Coons, Sr., Monday evening when she passed away at her home here after a comparatively brief illness from complications incident to old age. All the hardships and privations endured by the pioneers who undertook to open up the agricultural resources of this country were the lot of Mr. and Mrs. Coons and their children and the pleasures of a work well done have been there as well. Mrs. Coons has lived her full span of life and the end found her ready.
Funeral services were held at her home on the north side at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, Rev. Jansen officiating, and the remains were laid to rest in the Wadena cemetery beside those of her husband who died twenty years ago.
Emily Jane Current was born in Henry County, Indiana, October 29, 1836, and was united in marriage with George E. Coons February 15, 1852. To this union fifteen children were born, seven of whom survive, as follows: Mrs. Nettie Sawtelle, of this city; H.A. Coons, Sandpoint, Idaho; J.S. Coons, Pishaston, Wash.; Emma Kuldschnow, White Earth, N. Dak., Mrs. Bertha Miller, Seattle, Wash.; George J. Coons, of this city.
Mr. and Mrs. Coons moved to Wadena from Brown county in 1879, settling on a homestead in section eighteen, Leaf River Township. There the rough log house was erected and the struggle for agricultural development and an existence begun. Illustrative of some of the trying conditions under which all pioneers operated is the fact that they were frequently forced to wade across Leaf River up to their armpits to get to this city. Mrs. Coons dedicated her life to hard work and when the infirmities of advancing age incapacitated her to some extent, she took up the occupation of quilt making and during the latter part of life made and disposed of about 100 quilts to friends and relatives in various parts of the state. She was a member of the Congregational church.
Mrs. W.J. Barnell, of Eagle Bend, and Jim Current of New Ulm, sister and brother, came up to attend the funeral.
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Wadena DB: E-119