Groton Independent May 1968 Film AN40.G75 Aberdeen Public Library
Mrs. Mary Luce
Services for Mrs. Mary Luce, 89, of Claremont were held Tuesday, May 21, at 10:30 a.m., at the Claremont Methodist Church, with burial at the Groton Cemetery.
Mrs. Luce died Friday at the Eastern Star Home at Redfield.
She was born May 29, 1878 at Plato, Minn., and was married to Bert Luce, Oct. 13, 1896, at Alexandria, Minn. He died in 1948.
Mrs. Luce lived in Claremont until 1966 when she moved to the home at Redfield.
Survivors include four sons, Ronald and Kenneth of Minneapolis; Clifford of Rocky Mount, Va.; and Buell of Aberdeen; one brother, Fred Sibell, Grand Forks, N. D., seven grandchildren, several great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild.
Mary was the daughter of William Sibell and Kate Kodat. They lived comfortably with a large homestead, abundant land, much hunting and fishing nearby, and big harvest parties. They had many children, a large community, and extended family. Mary grew up this way in Northern Minnesota. Bertrum came through and met her and they got married. They moved to South Dakota. They lived in Claremont, Brown County and Bert was in construction and home building. Together they had four boys Ronald, Clifford, Kenneth, and Buell. He wanted to own land so he bought a homestead claim. Out on the claim, Mary had nothing. She didn't have a refrigerator or freezer so she canned pheasant. She was the best shot- "she could shoot the left eye out of a squirrel from 300 yards" (Don Luce). She was always shooting pheasant and that's what they ate every day; canned pheasant. She never shot one at a time. She would wait until they were lined up and then get two or three with one bullet.
When the flu epidemic hit Dr. Dinsmore and Mary went all over the county nursing sick people. They went in one direction to near Aberdeen and the other about as far but only out in the country. They kept this up until the epidemic was over. Neither of them ever got the flu. She did not get paid, she just worked to support the doctor as his assistant/nurse during such a difficult time. Doc Dinsmore never had a family of his own and remained a very close friend to the Luce's.
Mary moved her young family whom had nothing, out to the claim in South Dakota where they still had nothing. She toiled in that unworked land and had no water or electricity. The children played with the Indian children from nearby. Bertrum was gone for extended periods and she had to make due alone with four children. Finally, after years of failed crops and fear of starvation, she took the children and moved to town and lost the claim. To keep the homestead you had to remain living on it and she couldn't do it. Bertrum never forgave her for losing the land. But it was such inhospitable land that it couldn't support them. However, he saw it as his only chance to own land and make something for his family. Source: Marie Adelmann Luce 2001.
Once they moved to Claremont, they lived on a small farmstead. Their "shower" was a tank they pumped full every morning from the ground. The sun would warm it up all day. Then when they came from the field, they would pull the chain to get wet, pause and lather up, then pull the chain to rinse. When Don stayed there he said it was barely enough water for the three of them. He was 15 the summer he stayed. He put a new roof on for Mary because every time it rained her house got full of water and Bert wouldn't do it. Don would do a little bit every day after working in the field. Took him two months- finally the last week Bert helped him haul shingles up to the roof by tying them on a rope so Don didn't have to come down for them. Don had to get the shingles from the lumber yard- walked to it with a steel-wheeled wheelbarrow and haul them back. When he left Mary gave Don a gift. She gave him the pocket watch Bert had given her as a wedding gift. She had carried it all her adult life. Don kept it in his desk for 60 years. In October 2006 he gave it to Cassandra (with teary eyes) since I am so interested in the family. Someday I will give it to someone interested in the family and his story. (Don Luce; Cassandra Luce)
Mary never owned a refrigerator, had indoor plumbing, or had anything much of material value. But she was always a lovely and kind person. Her daughter-in-law Marie said she was "a saint" and that she "holds the highest place in heaven" due to her many good deeds and selfless acts, lack of any complaining, and positive attitude despite many hardships.
Mrs. Mary Luce
Services for Mrs. Mary Luce, 89, of Claremont were held Tuesday, May 21, at 10:30 a.m., at the Claremont Methodist Church, with burial at the Groton Cemetery.
Mrs. Luce died Friday at the Eastern Star Home at Redfield.
She was born May 29, 1878 at Plato, Minn., and was married to Bert Luce, Oct. 13, 1896, at Alexandria, Minn. He died in 1948.
Mrs. Luce lived in Claremont until 1966 when she moved to the home at Redfield.
Survivors include four sons, Ronald and Kenneth of Minneapolis; Clifford of Rocky Mount, Va.; and Buell of Aberdeen; one brother, Fred Sibell, Grand Forks, N. D., seven grandchildren, several great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild.
Mary was the daughter of William Sibell and Kate Kodat. They lived comfortably with a large homestead, abundant land, much hunting and fishing nearby, and big harvest parties. They had many children, a large community, and extended family. Mary grew up this way in Northern Minnesota. Bertrum came through and met her and they got married. They moved to South Dakota. They lived in Claremont, Brown County and Bert was in construction and home building. Together they had four boys Ronald, Clifford, Kenneth, and Buell. He wanted to own land so he bought a homestead claim. Out on the claim, Mary had nothing. She didn't have a refrigerator or freezer so she canned pheasant. She was the best shot- "she could shoot the left eye out of a squirrel from 300 yards" (Don Luce). She was always shooting pheasant and that's what they ate every day; canned pheasant. She never shot one at a time. She would wait until they were lined up and then get two or three with one bullet.
When the flu epidemic hit Dr. Dinsmore and Mary went all over the county nursing sick people. They went in one direction to near Aberdeen and the other about as far but only out in the country. They kept this up until the epidemic was over. Neither of them ever got the flu. She did not get paid, she just worked to support the doctor as his assistant/nurse during such a difficult time. Doc Dinsmore never had a family of his own and remained a very close friend to the Luce's.
Mary moved her young family whom had nothing, out to the claim in South Dakota where they still had nothing. She toiled in that unworked land and had no water or electricity. The children played with the Indian children from nearby. Bertrum was gone for extended periods and she had to make due alone with four children. Finally, after years of failed crops and fear of starvation, she took the children and moved to town and lost the claim. To keep the homestead you had to remain living on it and she couldn't do it. Bertrum never forgave her for losing the land. But it was such inhospitable land that it couldn't support them. However, he saw it as his only chance to own land and make something for his family. Source: Marie Adelmann Luce 2001.
Once they moved to Claremont, they lived on a small farmstead. Their "shower" was a tank they pumped full every morning from the ground. The sun would warm it up all day. Then when they came from the field, they would pull the chain to get wet, pause and lather up, then pull the chain to rinse. When Don stayed there he said it was barely enough water for the three of them. He was 15 the summer he stayed. He put a new roof on for Mary because every time it rained her house got full of water and Bert wouldn't do it. Don would do a little bit every day after working in the field. Took him two months- finally the last week Bert helped him haul shingles up to the roof by tying them on a rope so Don didn't have to come down for them. Don had to get the shingles from the lumber yard- walked to it with a steel-wheeled wheelbarrow and haul them back. When he left Mary gave Don a gift. She gave him the pocket watch Bert had given her as a wedding gift. She had carried it all her adult life. Don kept it in his desk for 60 years. In October 2006 he gave it to Cassandra (with teary eyes) since I am so interested in the family. Someday I will give it to someone interested in the family and his story. (Don Luce; Cassandra Luce)
Mary never owned a refrigerator, had indoor plumbing, or had anything much of material value. But she was always a lovely and kind person. Her daughter-in-law Marie said she was "a saint" and that she "holds the highest place in heaven" due to her many good deeds and selfless acts, lack of any complaining, and positive attitude despite many hardships.
Groton Independent May 1968 Film AN40.G75 Aberdeen Public Library
Mrs. Mary Luce
Services for Mrs. Mary Luce, 89, of Claremont were held Tuesday, May 21, at 10:30 a.m., at the Claremont Methodist Church, with burial at the Groton Cemetery.
Mrs. Luce died Friday at the Eastern Star Home at Redfield.
She was born May 29, 1878 at Plato, Minn., and was married to Bert Luce, Oct. 13, 1896, at Alexandria, Minn. He died in 1948.
Mrs. Luce lived in Claremont until 1966 when she moved to the home at Redfield.
Survivors include four sons, Ronald and Kenneth of Minneapolis; Clifford of Rocky Mount, Va.; and Buell of Aberdeen; one brother, Fred Sibell, Grand Forks, N. D., seven grandchildren, several great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild.
Mary was the daughter of William Sibell and Kate Kodat. They lived comfortably with a large homestead, abundant land, much hunting and fishing nearby, and big harvest parties. They had many children, a large community, and extended family. Mary grew up this way in Northern Minnesota. Bertrum came through and met her and they got married. They moved to South Dakota. They lived in Claremont, Brown County and Bert was in construction and home building. Together they had four boys Ronald, Clifford, Kenneth, and Buell. He wanted to own land so he bought a homestead claim. Out on the claim, Mary had nothing. She didn't have a refrigerator or freezer so she canned pheasant. She was the best shot- "she could shoot the left eye out of a squirrel from 300 yards" (Don Luce). She was always shooting pheasant and that's what they ate every day; canned pheasant. She never shot one at a time. She would wait until they were lined up and then get two or three with one bullet.
When the flu epidemic hit Dr. Dinsmore and Mary went all over the county nursing sick people. They went in one direction to near Aberdeen and the other about as far but only out in the country. They kept this up until the epidemic was over. Neither of them ever got the flu. She did not get paid, she just worked to support the doctor as his assistant/nurse during such a difficult time. Doc Dinsmore never had a family of his own and remained a very close friend to the Luce's.
Mary moved her young family whom had nothing, out to the claim in South Dakota where they still had nothing. She toiled in that unworked land and had no water or electricity. The children played with the Indian children from nearby. Bertrum was gone for extended periods and she had to make due alone with four children. Finally, after years of failed crops and fear of starvation, she took the children and moved to town and lost the claim. To keep the homestead you had to remain living on it and she couldn't do it. Bertrum never forgave her for losing the land. But it was such inhospitable land that it couldn't support them. However, he saw it as his only chance to own land and make something for his family. Source: Marie Adelmann Luce 2001.
Once they moved to Claremont, they lived on a small farmstead. Their "shower" was a tank they pumped full every morning from the ground. The sun would warm it up all day. Then when they came from the field, they would pull the chain to get wet, pause and lather up, then pull the chain to rinse. When Don stayed there he said it was barely enough water for the three of them. He was 15 the summer he stayed. He put a new roof on for Mary because every time it rained her house got full of water and Bert wouldn't do it. Don would do a little bit every day after working in the field. Took him two months- finally the last week Bert helped him haul shingles up to the roof by tying them on a rope so Don didn't have to come down for them. Don had to get the shingles from the lumber yard- walked to it with a steel-wheeled wheelbarrow and haul them back. When he left Mary gave Don a gift. She gave him the pocket watch Bert had given her as a wedding gift. She had carried it all her adult life. Don kept it in his desk for 60 years. In October 2006 he gave it to Cassandra (with teary eyes) since I am so interested in the family. Someday I will give it to someone interested in the family and his story. (Don Luce; Cassandra Luce)
Mary never owned a refrigerator, had indoor plumbing, or had anything much of material value. But she was always a lovely and kind person. Her daughter-in-law Marie said she was "a saint" and that she "holds the highest place in heaven" due to her many good deeds and selfless acts, lack of any complaining, and positive attitude despite many hardships.
Mrs. Mary Luce
Services for Mrs. Mary Luce, 89, of Claremont were held Tuesday, May 21, at 10:30 a.m., at the Claremont Methodist Church, with burial at the Groton Cemetery.
Mrs. Luce died Friday at the Eastern Star Home at Redfield.
She was born May 29, 1878 at Plato, Minn., and was married to Bert Luce, Oct. 13, 1896, at Alexandria, Minn. He died in 1948.
Mrs. Luce lived in Claremont until 1966 when she moved to the home at Redfield.
Survivors include four sons, Ronald and Kenneth of Minneapolis; Clifford of Rocky Mount, Va.; and Buell of Aberdeen; one brother, Fred Sibell, Grand Forks, N. D., seven grandchildren, several great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild.
Mary was the daughter of William Sibell and Kate Kodat. They lived comfortably with a large homestead, abundant land, much hunting and fishing nearby, and big harvest parties. They had many children, a large community, and extended family. Mary grew up this way in Northern Minnesota. Bertrum came through and met her and they got married. They moved to South Dakota. They lived in Claremont, Brown County and Bert was in construction and home building. Together they had four boys Ronald, Clifford, Kenneth, and Buell. He wanted to own land so he bought a homestead claim. Out on the claim, Mary had nothing. She didn't have a refrigerator or freezer so she canned pheasant. She was the best shot- "she could shoot the left eye out of a squirrel from 300 yards" (Don Luce). She was always shooting pheasant and that's what they ate every day; canned pheasant. She never shot one at a time. She would wait until they were lined up and then get two or three with one bullet.
When the flu epidemic hit Dr. Dinsmore and Mary went all over the county nursing sick people. They went in one direction to near Aberdeen and the other about as far but only out in the country. They kept this up until the epidemic was over. Neither of them ever got the flu. She did not get paid, she just worked to support the doctor as his assistant/nurse during such a difficult time. Doc Dinsmore never had a family of his own and remained a very close friend to the Luce's.
Mary moved her young family whom had nothing, out to the claim in South Dakota where they still had nothing. She toiled in that unworked land and had no water or electricity. The children played with the Indian children from nearby. Bertrum was gone for extended periods and she had to make due alone with four children. Finally, after years of failed crops and fear of starvation, she took the children and moved to town and lost the claim. To keep the homestead you had to remain living on it and she couldn't do it. Bertrum never forgave her for losing the land. But it was such inhospitable land that it couldn't support them. However, he saw it as his only chance to own land and make something for his family. Source: Marie Adelmann Luce 2001.
Once they moved to Claremont, they lived on a small farmstead. Their "shower" was a tank they pumped full every morning from the ground. The sun would warm it up all day. Then when they came from the field, they would pull the chain to get wet, pause and lather up, then pull the chain to rinse. When Don stayed there he said it was barely enough water for the three of them. He was 15 the summer he stayed. He put a new roof on for Mary because every time it rained her house got full of water and Bert wouldn't do it. Don would do a little bit every day after working in the field. Took him two months- finally the last week Bert helped him haul shingles up to the roof by tying them on a rope so Don didn't have to come down for them. Don had to get the shingles from the lumber yard- walked to it with a steel-wheeled wheelbarrow and haul them back. When he left Mary gave Don a gift. She gave him the pocket watch Bert had given her as a wedding gift. She had carried it all her adult life. Don kept it in his desk for 60 years. In October 2006 he gave it to Cassandra (with teary eyes) since I am so interested in the family. Someday I will give it to someone interested in the family and his story. (Don Luce; Cassandra Luce)
Mary never owned a refrigerator, had indoor plumbing, or had anything much of material value. But she was always a lovely and kind person. Her daughter-in-law Marie said she was "a saint" and that she "holds the highest place in heaven" due to her many good deeds and selfless acts, lack of any complaining, and positive attitude despite many hardships.
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