Sarah Irene Redfield (Buckland)

Mrs. C. C. Redfield passed away at about 4 a.m. last Friday following a second paralytic stroke. It was believed the fall some ten days previous was the result of a slight stroke, the second one laid her very low and end came quickly and peacefully. The funeral service was held at the Congregational Church at 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon. Rev. A. F. Newell officiating. The room was full of her friends, for it was never said of anyone more truly “none knew her but to love her.” Interment was by the side of her husband, whose death occurred December 29, 1913. She is survived by an only son, Elbert Buckland Redfield, of this city, two grandsons, Clifford, of Omaha, and Robert of Cheyenne, Wyo., one great-grandson, Eugene Redfield, of Omaha. Mrs. Redfield was the last of a family of four, three brothers, she being the only sister. Sarah Irene Buckland was born at Windsor, Conn., October 10th, 1847, so was almost 79 years of age. She was the only daughter of Julius and Lucy Buckland and her early years were spent in her native state. On December 6th, 1866, she was united to Carlos Clifford Redfield at Warehouse Point, Conn. With their young son the Redfield’s came west in 1870, settling on land in Shelby County, Iowa, near Harlan, where they lived for 42 years, coming to this city where their son was located, in 1912. Just a year later Mr. Redfield passed to the Great Beyond from heart trouble. Mrs. Redfield has lived alone since that time, making friends as the days and years went by, for she had a heart of love that never seemed to be exhausted. People loved her, as was said of the Master, “because she first loved them.” And that was the secret of the love and esteem in which so many held her, her friends felt that she really cared for them. She was deeply appreciative of every little thing done for her so the doing of it was a pleasure, and her neighborly kindnesses, generosity and hospitality were known to all. She became a member of the Congregational Church almost in her childhood in Connecticut and became a charter member of the Congregational Church at Harlan, Ia., formed in 1871, in which church she was an earnest, active honored member until her removal to this city. She at once put her letter into the Blair Congregational Church and during the past thirteen years, though becoming more feeble with the years, was actively identified with every good faithful in her attendance at Sunday School and the regular church service. Her sweet and beautiful Christian life and unselfish character greatly endeared her, not only to her church associates, but to the entire community. It seems so easy and natural to say of her, “of such is the Kingdom of God.” Her passing was so sudden, less than two weeks from her usual activities, that her many friends were wrung with sorrow and with tears almost a markedly as those nearer to her by the ties of blood. Seldom does the passing of friends cause such manifest sorrow for each one felt he had “loved and lost awhile.” The memory of such a life and of such unselfish love will not be soon forgotten by all who knew her. Among those present at the funeral service from a distance were six old time friends from Harlan, Ia., Mr. and Mrs. E. S. White, Mr. and Mrs. O. F. Graves, Mrs. O. P. Wyland, and Mrs. B. B. Griffith. They represented the Harlan Congregational Church and the Harlan Chapter of the P. E. O. Sisterhood of which Mrs. Redfield was the third charter member.

Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clipping on file at the Blair Public Library.