“How pleasing in the sight of God is the death of one of his saints.” Text chosen by the Rev. T.J. Enzler of Oelwein in conducting the funeral services of Mrs. T. J. Durnan, during the absence of her pastor, Rev. Halpin.
The words bespeak the life and death of Mrs. T. J. Durnan, formerly Annie Schmit. Born April 13, 1875, and who resigned her soul unto her maker on June 12, 1929.
She was united in marriage to Thos. J. Durnan on August 17, 1904. To this union were born four children; Philip, James, Harry and Nellie. She leaves to mourn these four children, her husband, four brothers and four sisters.
Although her body is consigned to the grave, and her soul to the life everlasting; the influence which her life has cast, was marked by the many friends, that filled to its doors, the Immaculate Conception church at Fairbank on Friday June 14, to pay their last tribute of respect and love.
She was always a silent admirer of children and was loved by all children with whom she came in contact. During her last illness some of her most enjoyable moments were those when the children came to see her. Many of whom, could not see her due to her failing strength.
In her severe sufferings, she would often calm herself in speaking of the children of her neighborhood and of times pleasantly spent in her home; attributes to her name of “True Home Mother.”
Boys always found a welcome in her home and were understood by her as an example to many of us.
It was her wish to be attended by her relatives during her last severe illness; which was faithfully carried out by her own family, especially; also the families of her brothers and sisters.
During the terrible pain, which the dreaded disease of cancer carries with it; she was ever comforted by her belief in the teachings of the Catholic church, of which she was a faithful member from infancy. During attacks of the most severe pain, she would breathe the words: “Jesus crucified; have mercy on me.” In these words she always found strength to bear her pain.
She was brought from St. Mary’s hospital at Rochester on Feb. 11, where she had an operation on Jan. 14, to the home of her brother, A. J. Schmit at Oran, because blockaded roads made it impossible to be taken to her home, and she was never able to be moved again.
She was never a day without seeing some of her family, and when the nights became wakeful, it was her wish to be attended by one of her immediate family, and one other relative, who watched continuously through the long night hours in token of sincere affection.
It had always been her wish that her deathbed would be attended by her husband and four children; also by her four brothers and four sisters (between whom she was the connecting link). On Friday June 7, she realized that her soul was soon to take its flight to her God. She asked that she might have the last rights of her religion, which she was granted by Rev. T. J. Enzler. Then after a last farewell to her family, she was filled with a holy longing to meet her creator.
Still she lingered in this longing for several days, in the meantime, two brothers from a distance came home. She was able to take her last farewell with them. During all of this her own family stayed constantly with her and on Tuesday evening, prayed with her while her soul peacefully departed to its eternal home.
She was of a quiet disposition but silently won the admiration of all who came in contact with her, especially those who were in religious or medical attendance during the last weeks of her sufferings.
Her great appreciation for the slightest act done for her will never be forgotten by those who cared for her, and the ready smile with which she greeted all who attended to her was a mark of her appreciation.
The surviving brothers and sisters are; Peter P. Schmit, New Richmond, Wis.; Anthony J. Schmit of Oran; John M. Schmit, Motley, Minn.; Philip F. Schmit of Fairbank; Teresa B. Hickory; Katie B. Kane; Misses Mary and Lizzie Schmit of Oran. Besides these she leaves many nephews and nieces to whom she was very dear; also other relatives and friends.
Relatives who attended the funeral were Mr. Lawrence Testin and family, Mrs. Kate Testin and family of Joliet, Ill,; J. J. Durnan and wife, also J. P. Durnan and daughter of Fulda, Minn,; Peter Graff of Akron, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Brennan and son of Waterloo.
Transcribed by Eric E. Durnan, the obituary of Anna Schmit Durnan, wife of Thomas J. Durnan taken from the Oelwein Daily Register, Monday, June 24th, 1929 edition.
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