Cleo "Marie" (LAIRD) GRIGG

LAIRD, GRIGG, SWANK, EURITT, GARTIN

Posted By: Sharon R. Becker (email)
Date: 11/22/2008 at 20:36:44

The Mount Ayr Record-News, 1925

OBITUARY - MRS. MARIE LAIRD GRIGG.

Cleo Marie LAIRD, daughter of William C. and Mattie LAIRD, was born near Kellerton, Iowa, August 1, 1896, and departed this life February 8, 1925, at the Oakdale Sanitarium, Iowa, aged 28 years, six months and seven days. She spent the most of her short life in preparation for service. She graduated from the eigth grade in the country school at eleven years of age and then entered the Mount Ayr high school, where she took the normal training course and graduated with honor, being congratulated and notified by the State examination board that she had received the next highest average grade in the state, being excelled only by a girl from Manning, Iowa. She then taught for two years in country schools, after which she entered the State University at Iowa City, where she pursued her studies for one and one-half years. At this time humanity, and especially our own country, was calling loudly for help and service and, true to her aspirations, she answered the call by enlisting for service in June, 1918, and enrolled in the army nurses' training school from which she graduated in June, 1921, and was discharged from the army service December 13, 1921. She served in Camp Grant, Ft. Sheridan and Letterman Army Hospitals and also took affiliation work at the children's hospital and lying-in hospital, chicago, and the Leland Stanford hospital in California, and, although neither shattered by shot nor shell, she as truly gave her life for her country as any martyr.

She was united in marriage to George GRIGG, of San Francisco, California, December 15, 1921. To this union was born one daughter, Gertrude Dee.

In childhood she united with the Salem Evangelical church and when she entered school in Mount Ayr she then united with the Church of Christ. She lived a consistent christian life. Although a great sufferer, for the last three years, she bore all with fortitude and patience, was ever cheerful and hopeful, and above all had great faith in God. She was anxious to live for her family's sake and also to be able to use hard-earned efficiency for the good of humanity.

Besides her husband and little babe, she leaves a sorrowing father and mother, one brother, Leo LAIRD of Mount Ayr; for sisters, Mrs. Fern SWANK of Shannon City, Mrs. Bernice EURITT and Dale of Mount Ayr, and Mrs. Faye GARTIN of Des Moines, and many other relatives and hosts of friends, for all who knew her loved her.

It is hard to say farewell, but we have another beckoning hand on the other shore. She is free from pain and suffering and safe in the arms of Jesus.

The funeral services were conducted by her former pastor, Rev. S. C. McKINLEY of Russel, Iowa, assisted by Rev. Jay KIRKENDALL, pastor of the Methodist Church, at the Methodist church in Mount Ayr yesterday afternoon at two O'clock. A quartet from the the Church of Christ furnished the music. The American Legion and the Legion Auxiliary attended in a body and members of the Legion acted as pall bearers, while members of the Auxiliary were flower bearers.

Card of Thanks.

Word cannot express our sincere thanks to the neighbors and friends who in so many ways extended favors and helped to lighten the burden in this our great sorrow. We also desire to express our thanks for the many beautiful floral offerings.

GEO. D. GRIGG AND BABY.
W. C. LAIRD AND FAMILY.

NOTE: Cleo Marie (LAIRD) GRIGG was interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. BECKER, 2008