Bross, Mary Ellen (Gilliland), 42

Died 4 May 1916

Mrs. Frank Bross died of acute Bright's disease at the Methodist hospital in Omaha last Thursday, having been taken sick the 15th of February while staying with her mother, Mrs. George Gilliland, in Omaha, following an operation upon her son, Willard. She went to the Lord Lister hospital and after two weeks was able to be taken to her mother's home, where she stayed five weeks. Mr.Bross brought her home Sunday, April 23rd, in the hope that she was improving, but four days later he took her to the Methodist hospital, where she gradually grew worse until the end came last Thursday. Every possible thing was done to help her but nothing availed, death seemed to have a firm hold on her and won. The body was brought up home Friday and the funeral held at their new home, the old Bedal place, across the street south from the Methodist church, at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon, Rev. C.M. Foreman officiating. The attendance was very large and the floral offerings very beautiful and appropriate, showing something of the high esteem in which she was held by all who know her. Mary Ellen Gilliland was born near Ottumwa, Ia., Nov. 9th, 1873, and was therefore 42 years, 5 months and 25 days old at the time of her death. When she was about four years old her parents moved to this county, settling near DeSoto. She was united in marriage to George Franklin Bross on Jan. 1st, 1896, and to this union three children were born, Willard, aged 18, Raymond, 13, Ruth, 7. She also leaves three sisters and five brothers, Mrs. D.W.Kelly, Mrs. Bertha Rohrer, Miss Addie Gilliland, George, Fred and Hosea Gilliland, all of Omaha and Wm. A. Gilliland, of Alpha, Minn.

Mrs. Bross was a faithful member of the Baptist church and of the Rebekah Lodge. She was a member of the Past Noble Grand club, also. The sorrowing relatives have the sympathy of many friends in the loss of such a worthy wife, mother, daughter and friend.

#2-published in Enterprise on 5 May 1916

Mrs. Frank Bross died at the Methodist hospital in Omaha, yesterday, the 4th inst., at one o'clock p.m., after a long illness, a victim of Bright's disease. Her husband and three children survive. The funeral will be held at the Methodist church in this city, next Sunday the 7th inst.

#3-Published in Tribune on 10 May 1916

Miss Mary Ellen Gilliand was born near Ottumwa in Wapello Co., Iowa, Nov. 9, 1973 and died at the Methodist Hospital in Omaha, May 4, 1916, being at the time of her death 42 years 5 months and 25 days of age.

When she was about four years old her parents moved to Nebraska and located on a farm near DeSoto. She was united in marriage to Mr. Frank Bross January 1, 1896. The following spring they moved to Blair, where they have since resided. The deceased united with the Baptist church of Blair on March 12, 1893 and has since lived a consistent Christian life and been a very active church worker. She was also a very loyal member of the Rebekah lodge always being the foremost in all lodge doings.

She was taken ill about the 15th of last February and was taken to the hospital in Omaha where she seemed to improve and was later removed from the hospital to the home of her mother and later to her home in Blair.

The relief, however, was only temporary and the old trouble set in again and in spite of all that the best of medical skill could do she passed away on last Thursday, the victim of acute Bright's disease.

Mrs. Bross was a woman of a sunny disposition and numbered her friends only by her list of acquaintances. She was the real wife and mother in the truest sense of the word.

She leaves to mourn her departure a devoted husband and three children just at the age when a mother's care means so much to them. Besides her immediate family she leaves a mother and three sisters and five brothers to mourn her loss.

The funeral services were held at the residence on Colfax street on last Sunday, May 7, 1916 and the large concourse of friends gathered were mute evidences of the respect in which she was held in the community.

#4 Printed in the Blair Democrat on 11 May 1916

MRS. FRANK BROSS SUCCUMBS TO BRIGHT’S DISEASE Mrs. Frank Bross died at the Methodist hospital in Omaha, at one o’clock p.m. Thursday, May 4, 1916, after an illness of many months. Early last winter Mrs. Bross was attacked with Bright’s Disease and was taken to Omaha for treatment. For a time her condition improved and she was removed to the home of a relative. Two weeks ago Mr. Bross was brought to her home in this city, but after reaching here her condition became critical and she was immediately taken back to the Methodist hospital. Her husband and the immediate members of the family were in constant attendance at the bedside of the patient until the end.

The body arrived in this city on the 3:15 train, Saturday afternoon, where it was met at the station by members of the Welcome Rebekah lodge who formed a double line while the remains were carried to the waiting hearse. Followed by a number of automobiles, the casket was carried to her late home, Colfax and Fifth street.

Mary Ellen Gilliland was born near Ottumwa in Wapello County, Iowa, November 9, 1873 and died at the Methodist hospital in Omaha May 4, 1916, being at the time of her death 42 years, 5 months and 25 days of age.

When she was about four years old, her parents moved to Nebraska and located on a farm near DeSoto. She was united in marriage to Mr. Frank Bross on January 1, 1896. The following spring they moved to Blair where they have since resided.

The deceased united with the Baptist church of Blair, March 12, 1893, and has since lived a consistent Christian life and has been an active worker in the church. She was also a loyal member of the Rebekah lodge of this city.

She leaves to mourn her departure a devoted husband and three children, Willard, age 18, Raymond 13 and Ruth 7. Her father passed away about three years ago but her mother, three sisters and five brothers survive. They are Mrs. W.D. Kelley, Mrs. Bertha Rohrer, Miss Addie Gilliland, Georg, Fred, Hosea Gilliland, all of Omaha, and William A. Gilliland of Alpha, Minnesota.

Rev. Foreman of the Baptist church conducted the funeral services from the home at 2:30 Sunday afternoon, and the remains were laid in their last resting place in the Blair cemetery.

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

Note: Bright's disease is an archaic term for what is now referred to as 'nephritis'. Nephritis is an inflammation of the kidneys, caused by toxins, infection or autoimmune conditions. It is not strictly a single disease, rather a condition with a number of types and causes.--internet sources

Find a Grave # 112125574