Rooney Family Tree

Obituary:

Grace Martin Passed Away In Alexandria

The many friends of Grace E. Martin, long time resident and business woman of Sedan, were deeply sorrowed to hear of her death on September 20, 1949, at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital in Alexandria. She had been hospitalized since April 2, 1949 when she suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. He condition gradually weakened until she peacefully passed away.

Grace Evangeline Wamsley was born on Sept. 2, 1880 in Reno Township, Pope county, and was 69 years of age at the time of her death. She was the oldest of eight children born to her parents, Edwin J. and Julia Mitchell Wamsley. When she was about ten years of age her family moved to Leven Township near the village of Villard. There she resided until 1900 and then again moved with her parents to Stearns county, a few miles north of Brooten. She taught in the public schools of Stearns county for two years, and then on January 3, 1902 was married to William E. Martin of Bangor Township.

Shortly after their marriage, William and Grace Martin established their home in Sedan and they became active in local village, school and church affairs. Six children were born to them, two daughters, Mildred and Dorothy, both of whom died in infancy, and four sons who still survive. They are Melvin S. Martin, Warsaw, New York; Lyle of Alexandria; Robert of Faribault; and Richard of Kansas City, Missouri.

In 1912 William and Grace Martin went into the mercantile business in Sedan and operated a general store there. They sold the business in 1919 but continued to live in Sedan until 1921 when the family moved to Villard. In 1923 they returned to Sedan and resumed their old business at the same old stand.

On June 15, 1927 William Martin passed away and Grace Martin continued to operate the business thereafter with the help of her growing sons. As her sons grew up and made their way out into the world, she declined to retire to an easier life but continued to operate her business alone and to preserve her family home at Sedan. After operating the business single handed for a number of years, illness finally forced her to dispose of her business and home at Sedan in the summer of 1948. She then made her home with her sons until her final illness overtook her.

On Sept 5, 1946 a severe windstorm hit the village of Sedan and she narrowly escaped when a bulk station was blown across the street and hurtled into the front of her store building where she was alone at the time. Even this harrowing experience failed to influence her to retire and she rebuilt her store and she continued to do business and make her home in the community which she loved so well.

Grace E. Martin was treasurer of the village of Sedan from 1932 to 1948 and discharged her duties in a commendable manner.

Also surviving besides the four sons are their wives, five grandsons and four granddaughters. One sister Mrs. Jim Egan, and four brothers, George, Otto, Ben and Giles Wamsley also survive.

Requiem Mass was sung for the deceased by Father Thomas Shadeg at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Sedan on Friday, September 23, 1949. A large group of friends and relatives gathered to pay their last respects to a dear departed friend. She was laid to rest alongside her beloved husband in the Catholic cemetery at Sedan.

Serving as pallbearers were the following: Melvin Brosvig, Tommy Mitchell, Gene Landwehr, Jack Casey, Don Mitchell and Russell Egan.

A large number of floral and spiritual offerings were made, bespeaking a testimony of love, devotion and esteem for a departed friend.

After conclusion of the services at the cemetery, the ladies of the parish served a dinner in the church basement for the friends and relatives.

Among those attending the funeral from a distance were the following: Melvin S. Martin and son, Charlie, of Warsaw, New York; Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Martin of Faribault, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Richard E. Martin and son, Johnnie, of Kansas City, Missouri; Mr. and Mrs. Geo. W. Wamsley of Charlo, Montana and their son, Gene, of Helena, Montana; Otto Wamsley of Billings, Montana; Bem Wamsley of Wolf Point, Montana; Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Egan and Miss Mabel Rooney of St. Paul; Mr. and Mrs. Giles Wamsley of San Diego, Calif; Mrs. Margaret Wirtzzeld and son, LeRoy of Underwood, N.D.; Mrs. Lilly Chamberlain of Taconite, Minn.; Miss Anne Mitchell, Minneapolis; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Freese, Alberta, Minn.; and Mr. and Mrs. Tom Tintes, Eden Valley, Minn.