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Matilda Mae “Tillie” Watts Wendt

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Birth	:	4 Feb 1860 Clayton County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	26 Nov 1908 Akron, Plymouth County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Riverside Cemetery, Akron, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate	:	42.8367004, -96.5453033
Description	:	WENDT—At her home in Akron, Iowa, Thursday, November 26, 1908, at 10:45, a.m., Mrs. Paul Wendt, aged 48 years, 9 months and 23 days. A shade of sadness came into the homes of this community, in the midst of Thanksgiving festivities, when this fact became known. The feeling of sorrow, however, was not unmixed with a certain sense of thankfulness that she had found the only possible relief after nine weeks of the most intense suffering. Matilda Mae Watts was born February 4, 1860, in Clayton county, Iowa. At the age of eleven years she suffered... Read More	WENDT—At her home in Akron, Iowa, Thursday, November 26, 1908, at 10:45, a.m., Mrs. Paul Wendt, aged 48 years, 9 months and 23 days. A shade of sadness came into the homes of this community, in the midst of Thanksgiving festivities, when this fact became known. The feeling of sorrow, however, was not unmixed with a certain sense of thankfulness that she had found the only possible relief after nine weeks of the most intense suffering. Matilda Mae Watts was born February 4, 1860, in Clayton county, Iowa. At the age of eleven years she suffered an attack of spinal meningitis, which continued seventeen months, leaving her permanently crippled. She received a common school education and taught school one term. In the fall of 1879 she came to Akron and resided in the home of her sister, Mrs. W. E. Jones. When her sister's family removed to Canton, clayton county, Iowa, about a year later she accompanied them. However she had become much attached to Akron during her brief stay and two years afterward she returned here and took a position in Mrs. A. H. Smith's millinery. She resided with Mr. and Mrs. Smith and when here, continued to make her home with them until her marriage. Early in life she developed an artistic aptitude and became skilled in painting. To perfect her talent in this line she went to Fayette, Iowa, a short time after coming here, and took a special collegiate art course. Returning to Akron, she took up the vocation of instructor in painting, which was much to her taste and in which she was very successful. Later there came a demand for the product of her skillful brush, until there are many homes in Akron and the surrounding towns and country that treasure one or more beautiful oil paintings from her cosy home-studio. Her work was highly commended by artists of established reputation. The event of great happiness in her life was her marriage to Paul Wendt, which took place September 17, 1891, at Morningside, Sioux City, Rev. M. W. Darling officiating. They at once established a home here that evolved into a model of all that sacred term implies—where happiness, devotion, patience, forbearance and Christian fellowship reigned supreme. The care and solicitude of this husband for his invalid wife, at home or in her wheeled chair on the street, and her implicit trust in him was a familiar sight, but always touching, even to pathos. In her younger days, after her illness, she was able to walk considerable with the aid of crutches, but in the course of time the spinal difficulty grew upon her and caused her to take to the invalid's chair. For the past ten or twelve years she had been an almost constant suffer, at times in severest pain, yet there are none who heard her complain of her lot, and only in the last days, when there was no home for relief, did she pray for surcease from suffering. She departed this life as she had so beautifully lived it, firm and steadfast in the Christian faith. Many are they who have found her home a haven in time of trouble or perplexity, when a word of advice or encouragement from this always cheerful little woman would set matters right. Her mission was to spread sunshine and do good for others, and her influence was far-reaching and beneficent. With such noble characteristics possessed by one, her departure brings to each one blessed by her acquaintanceship a keen sense of personal loss and causes the entire community to mourn. Besides her husband so deeply bereaved there survive five sisters and two brothers; Mrs. John Horisky, of Norfolk, Nebraska; Mrs. W. E. Jones, of Hudson, S. D.; Mrs. Al Campbell, of Earlham, Iowa; Mrs. Norman White, of Montevideo, Minnesota; Mrs. L. Siglen, of North McGregor, Iowa;Thos. Watts, of Waterloo, Iowa, and William Watts, of Marathon, Iowa. To all the relatives the community offers its sincerest condolence. Deceased made all the arrangements for her funeral, which were followed to the slightest detail. the services were held in the M. E. church, of which she was a member, on Saturday afternoon, beginning at 1 o'clock. The entire seating capacity of the church was occupied, her fellow-members of the Eastern Star order attending in a body. Rev. George C. Fort, of Fort Dodge, Iowa, pastor here from 1894 to 1896, paid a truly magnificent tribute to the life and works of Tillie, as she was affectionately called by friends. He cited her saintly virtues, her kindness, helpfulness, patience and devotion as combining a sermon more eloquent than his mind could frame or his lips utter, even after a close personal acquaintance of fourteen years. One of her favorite passages of Scripture, the Twenty-third Psalm, was read, and favorite hymns were sung by a mixed quartet, Mrs. J. H. Kerr, Miss Estalene Rhodes, G. G. Douglass and Dr. Wooton. The floral offerings were most beautiful. At the grave the ceremonies were in charge of the local Eastern Star, where the last sad rites were impressively conducted. The pallbearers were H. W. Fields, E. H. Youngstrom, B. F. Wintersteen, J. F. March, A. N. Williams and J. C. Beck. Relatives from out of town present at the funeral were: Thos. Watts and daughter, Miss Agatha, of Waterloo, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cable and Miss Ethelyn Ferris, of Hudson, S. D. Most of the other relatives had recently visited her here. Miss Mae Campbell, a niece, was her constant attendant during her last illness, as was also Mrs. A. H. Smith. Akron Register Tribune Thursday, December 3, 1908 Akron, Iowa

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Matilda Mae “Tillie” Watts Wendt's memorial?
Matilda Mae “Tillie” Watts Wendt's memorial is located at: Riverside Cemetery, Akron, Plymouth County, USA.
When did Matilda Mae “Tillie” Watts Wendt death?
Matilda Mae “Tillie” Watts Wendt death on 26 Nov 1908 in Akron, Plymouth County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Matilda Mae “Tillie” Watts Wendt's memorial?
Latitude: 42.8367004
Longitude: -96.5453033

Family Members:

Parent

William Watts

(1813 - 1895)

Jamina Trott Watts

(1818 - 1894)

Spouse

Paul Augustus Wendt

(1866 - 1933)

Siblings

Elizabeth M. Horiskey

(1844 - 1929)

Martha M Watts Jones

(1847 - 1946)

Mary Jane “Jennie” Watts Siglin

(1849 - 1944)

William John Watts

(1857 - 1934)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Riverside Cemetery
Akron, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8367004, -96.5453033

2. Saint Patricks Cemetery
Akron, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8232300, -96.5374800

3. Mount Hope Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8885994, -96.5667038

4. Union Creek Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8911018, -96.5863037

5. Gores Bluff Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8035069, -96.6260468

6. Westfield Township Cemetery
Westfield, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7510986, -96.5914001

7. Richland Cemetery
Richland, Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7682991, -96.6624985

8. Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Spink, Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8741000, -96.6876000

9. Big Springs Cemetery
Big Springs, Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9379000, -96.6090000

10. Old Big Springs Cemetery
Big Springs, Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9455986, -96.5868988

11. Saint Johns Lutheran Church Cemetery
Ruble, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8372000, -96.3799000

12. Mills Family Cemetery
Westfield, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7188460, -96.6019280

13. First Brule Creek Cemetery
Elk Point, Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7943993, -96.7069016

14. Pleasant Hill Cemetery Old
Spink, Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8588462, -96.7215592

15. Brule Creek Cemetery
Spink Township, Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8346510, -96.7324350

16. Pleasant Valley Cemetery
Adaville, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7494011, -96.4005966

17. Saint Paul Cemetery
Elk Point, Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7641983, -96.7061005

18. Union County Poor Farm Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7649210, -96.7077580

19. Nora Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9314003, -96.7061005

20. Plymouth Presbyterian Cemetery
Brunsville, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8208760, -96.3318410

21. Ahlsborg Lutheran Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8228000, -96.7612000

22. Saint Joseph Cemetery
Johnson Township, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7416992, -96.3707962

23. Peace Lutheran Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9805984, -96.6481018

24. Saint Johns Cemetery
Craig, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8939018, -96.3225021