Died - at her home, 2212 North 21st street, Omaha, Nebraska, Monday, March 13, 1905, Mrs. W. R. Fitch, aged fifty two years and eleven months.

In the death of Mrs. Fitch, one of the pioneer women of Washington county, has passed from earth. Josephine West was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, in which county a part of her young womanhood was spent. When the tide of immigration was moving westward, she came to Nebraska in 1871 and was married in May, 1875 to W. R. Fitch, the ceremony being performed in Blair by Rev. F. M. Wheeler. Mr. and Mrs Fitch shortly after their marriage took up their residence in Arizona precinct, later moving to Tekamah, and still later to Herman, of which place they were residents for eighteen years. To Mr. and Mrs. Fitch were born twelve children, two of whom died in infancy, the remaining ten, together with Mr. Fitch, four brothers and one sister surviving. About twenty years ago Mrs. Fitch was stricken with a dread disease - cancer - the symptoms becoming manifest in her right cheek. Despite all medical effort the cancer, as the years passed, became more virulent, making inroads on the patient’s strength and breaking down a robust constitution. During the past three years Mrs. Fitch has suffered untold agonies. About a year ago Mr. Fitch removed to Omaha so his wife could receive the best attention possible, but in spite all efforts death claimed her, and in the evening of life she passed to the other shore. Funeral services were held from the First Baptist church, of which Mrs. Fitch was a member, in Herman Wednesday afternoon, March 5, the pastor paying a touching tribute to the departed one. The funeral was largely attended and the floral offerings were beautiful and numerous. The bereaved ones have the genuine sympathy of all within their acquaintance.

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

Find a Grave Memorial #58167950