Obituary 1: Printed in the Nov. 8, 1918 Enterprise, Blair, Nebraska

Mrs. Clarence Simpson

Death entered the home of Clarence Simpson, near DeSoto railway station, last Sunday and bore away all that was mortal of wife and mother, following a week’s illness from influenza and pneumonia.

Deceased was the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Shields, born in Blair, and reared to girlhood here where she attended school until her parents removed to Omaha. She was married to Clarence Simpson some 5 years ago and one daughter born to them is bereft of a mother’s tender love and affection.

Funeral service was held on Tuesday and burial made in the Blair cemetery in the Wilkinson family plat where her grandfather, the late Thos. Wilkinson, is resting peacefully, following an honored life.

Obituary 2: Printed in the Dec. 6, 1918 Pilot, Blair, Nebraska

Mrs. Clarence Simpson Taken

Mrs. Clarence Simpson was taken sick with influenza just twelve hours after Stanley Pierce and her death occurred just twelve hours after his, at 2:30 Sunday afternoon. The funeral was held at the F.S. Simpson home in this city at 3:30 yesterday afternoon, being conducted by Rev. D. M. Simpson, of Farnhamville, Ia., uncle of the bereaved husband, who performed the marriage ceremony for them five years ago. Prayer was offered by Rev. W.H. Underwood and Rev. John Kountz, of Omaha, an old friend of the Shields family , made a short talk.

The following beautiful obituary notice was read by Rev. Mr. Simpson. Lucy Shields Simpson was born in Blair, Nebraska, on February 9, 1893 and passed away at 2:30 on Sunday afternoon November 3rd, aged 25 years, 8 months and 24 days.

Lucy Luelia Shields received her primary education in the schools of Blair and was graduated from the Omaha High School in the class of 1912. She and her husband knew each other intimately, having passed their school days together in the grades. Their early friendship ripened into affection with finally led them to the marriage altar, where at the bride’s beautiful home on Poppleton Ave. Omaha on the 27th day of February 1913, they became to each other husband and wife.

The profusion of floral tributes both mutely and meekly attest the self-sacrificing genuineness of her devotion to her home and friends. She might have been alive today but for her determination that others should be.

All that medical science and loving hand could do could not stay the terrible ravages of the disease. Calmly and heroically on the Lord’s day afternoon she turned her face to the great west, and “was not for God took her.”

The immediately bereft are her devoted husband and daughter, Luella Ruth, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Shields and sister, Mildred, of Omaha. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Simpson and family, of Blair, besides scores of relatives and friends, all of whom with aching hearts today bid her adieu “till the morning cometh.”

Among the sympathizing friends, none of whom were nearer to the deceased and her husband, is Mr. Stanley Gossard, who, but two weeks ago, laid to rest his young wife, who, likewise was taken by influenza after only eight days illness.

The burden laid upon her fair body was more than she could bear and “When the sun in all his state illumed the western skies…”

Obituary 3: Printed in the Nov. 7, 1918 Tribune, Blair, Nebraska

Mrs. Clarence Simpson Crosses the Dark River

Following a severe attack of influenza and pneumonia, Mrs. Clarence Simpson died at her home near DeSoto last Sunday after a week’s illness, and the remains were brought to the F.S. Simpson home in Blair, at which place open air services were held Tuesday afternoon and interment made in the Wilkinson family lot in the Blair cemetery. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. D.M. Simpson, of Farnamsville, Iowa, an uncle of the bereaved husband.

Lucy Shields was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herman H. Shields, former residents of Blair, but now living at Omaha, and was born in this city February 9, 1893. She grew to young womanhood here and attended the primary grades of our schools, later moving to Omaha with her parents and graduated from the schools of that city in 1912. She was married to Clarence Simpson on the 27th of February, 1913, and besides the grief stricken husband leaves a little daughter, her parents, and one sister to mourn her untimely end.

She was of an affectionate disposition, bright and winning in her ways so that friendship’s circle was to her a large one. Indeed, it may be said of her that none knew her but to love her. Here she played as a child, developed into beautiful girlhood; here she helped establish a home of her own; her busy life was spent, her battles fought, her faithful service rendered to the world. In this dearest of all places to her she lies down at length to sleep and rest, where her kindred sleep, and where her friends gathered about her dear form with honest tears of bereavement to lay her away tenderly in the narrow house with its curtains of fadeless green. To her the struggle and burden bearing of earth are ended, and we confidently trust that like one who awakes from a troubled dream she has awakened to see life’s endless morning break and knows herself at home with all the vast throng of loved ones, missed from earth, safe about her. Her home instincts were strong here in this fevered world of disappointment. Her affection for friends and kindred was tender and abiding, and to the husband and relatives who are left behind the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community is extended.

FindaGrave memorial 119075817

~~~~Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library, Blair, Nebraska.~~~