Mrs. Anna Slavens passed away suddenly and unexpectedly Friday morning. Mrs. Slavens had been suffering with heart trouble the past year and this fall and winter had suffered several severe attacks. She had been feeling as well as usual Thursday evening and on Friday morning had arisen and was partially dressed, when her daughter, Mrs. A. S. Marquis, with whom she had made her home for the past several years, took her breakfast in to her and found her lying over on the bed where she had fallen when the final summons came.
Mrs. Slavens was a delightful character, whose presence was always greatly appreciated at social and church functions. She was, in her younger days, before her health failed, active in the lodges of the city and the memory of her helpfulness in these orders is cherished by her many friends.
Mrs. Anna Slavens, daughter of Levi Everett and Rebecca Bodley, was born in Ohio on February 18th, 1849. She died at the home of her daughter. Mrs. A. S. Marquis, on Friday morning. February 10, being just eight days less than seventy-nine years of age.
She was one of a family of eleven children, seven boys and four girls; all of whom proceeded her in death.
She came from Ohio to Iowa when yet a child, and with her patents settled on a farm west of Newton. The farm still remains in the family; her nephew, Willis Bodley, living there at the present time.
She came to Colfax in 1878, and after teaching the Union school north of town for a term, she entered into the Millinery business in Colfax, which she carried on for some time.
She was united in marriage with Mr. Jesse Slavens on May 26, 1880, Mr. Slavens preceeding her in death on October 22, 1911.
Six of her brothers were in the service of their country during the Civil War. One of them was a victim of starvation in Libbie prison, one was killed in the battle of Iuka, while another lost a leg in battle.
She was a charter member of the Woman's Relief Corps of Colfax; a charter member of Rose of Sharon Chapter of the order of the East- of the Woman's Club of Colfax and also a member of Chapter BA of the P. E. O. Sisterhood.
She united with the Colfax Presbyterian Church on February 3, 1921, upon the profession of her faith in Christ. Her membership has remained with this church until the time of her death.
God did not grant to Mrs. Slavens the joys of motherhood, but her rich store of maternal affection she lavished upon her two grandsons, with whom the memory of her devotion will linger long, and pervade their lives like the odor of a sweet incense.
She being the last living member of her family, she leaves a number of nieces and nephews only. Those present at the funeral were two nephews; Willis Bodley of Newton and Seth Iliff of Grinnell and two nieces, Mrs. Maud Thompson and Mrs. Cora Clark of Newton.
Besides these she leaves her stepdaughter, Mrs. A. S. Marquis of Colfax, Iowa, with whom she has made her home for a number of years, and who gave her a daughter's devotion and faithful and loving care throughout her declining years; and her two grandsons. Dr. George Marquis of Mitchellville, Iowa and Jess Marquis, a teacher in the public school of Colfax.
With these a host of friends and neighbors, and those who shared with her fraternal ties, unite in their expressions of sorrow and sympathy.
The funeral services were conducted from the Presbyterian Church in Colfax, Iowa, at 2:30 o'clock on Sunday afternoon, February 12, 1928 by Rev. G.E. Chapman, pastor of the church and Rev. E.G. Williams, a former pastor, and now of the Westminster Presbyterian church of Des Moines. Chapter BA of the P. E. O. Sisterhood having charge of the grave service. Interment was made in Oak Hill cemetery.
Colfax (Iowa) Tribune, February 8, 1928.