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Irena “Rena” Bell Dorrance

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Birth	:	21 May 1851 Winterset, Madison County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	25 Apr 1939 Fairmont, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA
Burial	:	Fairmont Cemetery, Fairmont, Fillmore County, USA
Coordinate	:	40.6267014, -97.5674973
Plot	:	Blk 5 Lot 6 Space 3
Description	:	Rena, oldest daughter of Abner and Jane Bell was born May 21, 1851, at Winterset, Ia. She died at Fairmont, April 25, 1939 at the age of 887 years, 11 months and four days. Mrs. Dorrance had the distinction of being the first white child born in Madison county, Ia. Her educational opportunities were much more than the average for young ladies of her day. Not only did she receive public school and academy training in Iowa, but she was among the first students to enroll in the University of Nebraska. Then too, hers was... Read More	Rena, oldest daughter of Abner and Jane Bell was born May 21, 1851, at Winterset, Ia. She died at Fairmont, April 25, 1939 at the age of 887 years, 11 months and four days. Mrs. Dorrance had the distinction of being the first white child born in Madison county, Ia. Her educational opportunities were much more than the average for young ladies of her day. Not only did she receive public school and academy training in Iowa, but she was among the first students to enroll in the University of Nebraska. Then too, hers was the unusual experience of reading law to her father, a lawyer by profession, who was handicapped by blindness. With such splendid preparation, it was natural that she should follow the teaching profession. Her teaching experience started when she was but sixteen years of age and continued until after she was married several years. Mrs. Dorrance taught in both Iowa and Nebraska, including the towns of Murray and Osceola, Iowa and Waverly and Fairmont, Nebraska. Her educational work was largely in the primary grades and she possessed unusual ability in this field. On July 1, 1880, she was married to William S. Dorrance at Fairmont. They established their home here and it has continued to be her home, except for some years spent in Geneva, until her death. Mr. Dorrance passed away Sept. 18, 1920. Their marriage was blessed by the birth of four children: Paul, who died in infancy, Floyd V. of San Francisco, Cal., W. Ross of Fairmont and Mrs. Joy Podoll of Winside, Nebr. The deceased was a member of the Fairmont and Geneva Methodist Episcopal churches for over fifty years. She served as a most capable primary teacher in the Sunday school here and as Ladies Aid president at Geneva. Her activity in the church continued until failing health made it impossible for her to attend. But she was interested in the progress of the church of her choice until the last. Mrs. Dorrance was a member of the Sunset Club and retained her interest in this organization even after failing health prevented her from attending their gatherings. Auntie Dorrance, as she was familiarly known, had a host of friends. She dearly loved their visits and entertained them charmingly with her spirited and witty conversation. They feel that her death is a real loss, and join with her relatives in the sorrow of her passing. The surviving relatives besides the aforementioned children are a sister, Mrs. Mable Huston in Mont.; a brother, Ralph Bell and a sister Mrs. Elizabeth Miller, both of Patterson, Iowa. There are also three grandchildren. Funeral services were held from the Fairmont Methodist Episcopal church at 2:30 o'clock p.m., Thursday, April 27, her pastor Rev. Robert L. Embree officiating. Interment was made in the family plot in the Fairmont cemetery. Other relatives in attendance were: Mrs. Elizabeth Miller, sister; Ralph Bell, brother; Mrs. Hazel Claig, niece and Carl Brown, Nephew of Winterset, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Christ Christensen of Friend; Mrs. Irvin Berton and son, Bob; Charles A. Wells, Wilber Williams and Mr. and Mrs. William G. Spahr of Lincoln; G.H. Gibson of Omaha; Mr. and Mrs. Cloyd Spahr and Mrs. Lucile Rivers of Seward; and Mrs. Owen Lovejoy of Bladen. Also numerous relatives and friends from other points in Fillmore county. Fillmore Chronicle (Fairmont) May 4th, 1939 page 3. ------------------------------------ Rena was the first white child born in Madison Co. Iowa. Lot owner: William Dorrance

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Irena “Rena” Bell Dorrance's memorial?
Irena “Rena” Bell Dorrance's memorial is located at: Fairmont Cemetery, Fairmont, Fillmore County, USA.
When did Irena “Rena” Bell Dorrance death?
Irena “Rena” Bell Dorrance death on 25 Apr 1939 in Fairmont, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Irena “Rena” Bell Dorrance's memorial?
Latitude: 40.6267014
Longitude: -97.5674973

Family Members:

Parent

Abner Bell Jr.

(1829 - 1921)

Mary Jane Crossley Bell

(1830 - 1904)

Spouse

William Shepherd Dorrance

(1846 - 1920)

Siblings

Sarah Jane Bell Gillogly

(1854 - 1939)

John Charles Bell

(1856 - 1878)

Josephine Bell Darnes

(1862 - 1937)

Elizabeth Bell Miller

(1867 - 1945)

Ernest Elwood Bell

(1870 - 1871)

Ralph J Bell

(1872 - 1945)

Mabel C Bell Huston

(1878 - 1947)

Children

Paul Dorrance

(1884 - 1884)

Willie Ross Dorrance

(1888 - 1962)

(unknow - unknow)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Fairmont Cemetery
Fairmont, Fillmore County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6267014, -97.5674973

2. Fairmont Catholic Cemetery
Fairmont, Fillmore County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6394005, -97.5689011

3. Roe Cemetery
Fairmont, Fillmore County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6912000, -97.5955000

4. Horton Cemetery
Exeter, Fillmore County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6911011, -97.5025024

5. Geneva Cemetery
Geneva, Fillmore County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5359900, -97.6064900

6. Pleasant Ridge Cemetery
McCool Junction, York County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7271996, -97.5511017

7. Exeter Cemetery
Exeter, Fillmore County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6521988, -97.4364014

8. Grafton Cemetery
Grafton, Fillmore County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6157990, -97.7106018

9. Holy Cross Cemetery
Grafton, Fillmore County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6150017, -97.7108002

10. Saint Josephs Cemetery
Geneva, Fillmore County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5184200, -97.6145000

11. Greenwood Cemetery
McCool Junction, York County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7282982, -97.6444016

12. McCool Junction Cemetery
McCool Junction, York County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7557983, -97.6063995

13. Holoch Cemetery
York County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7630997, -97.5207977

14. Lushton Cemetery
Lushton, York County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7125100, -97.7317100

15. Blue Valley Cemetery
York County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7571983, -97.4535980

16. Gilmore Cemetery
York County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7705994, -97.4847031

17. Chelsea Cemetery
Fillmore County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4808006, -97.4882965

18. Turkey Creek Cemetery
Friend, Saline County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6042700, -97.3502200

19. Tvrz Cemetery
Friend, Saline County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5679700, -97.3618700

20. Bohemian Brethren Cemetery
Milligan, Fillmore County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5098300, -97.4058300

21. Kasak Cemetery
Friend, Saline County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5393000, -97.3683000

22. Mennonite Cemetery
Lushton, York County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7560997, -97.7391968

23. Saint Marys Cemetery
Shickley, Fillmore County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4816700, -97.7295400

24. Zion Lutheran Cemetery
Fillmore County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4668999, -97.7097015