01 February 2013

Obituary--Miss Gertrude Lubbers

Every once in a while, an obituary that I find is quite unusual.  The reasons are always different, but there is something that really catches my eye. It is also a "two-fer" with two articles about the situation, one before and one after the death.  
Given the font and the fact that the articles are dated two days apart I feel fairly certain they are from the Muskegon Chronicle which was at that time a daily paper.  No specific date is shown on the clippings, just the year 1936.
First the pre-death article:

Mistress Ill, Dogs Bar Physician
Force Fremont Medic Through Window of Home
Fremont, July 1925.--(Special)--Loyalty of dogs to their masters or mistresses in time of need is invariably told with much praise for the understanding canines, but last week two such faithful animals owned by Miss Gertrude Lubbers of Fremont misunderstood and nearly caused serious trouble both to owner and Dr. Willis Geerlings.
Miss Lubbers called Dr. Geerlings to her home, where she resides alone, because of illness.  Before he could reach the house she had lapsed into unconsciousness in her chair.  When he entered the room one dog was lying on its mistress' lap and the other beside the chair. 
Neither dog would allow Dr. Geerlings to approach, in fact they forced him to take to an adjoining room where he slammed the door and left through a window.  He called Chief of Police Al Luchies who with a dog net captured the animals and allowed the doctor to treat his patient.
Miss Lubbers has been removed to the local hospital where she is seriously ill.  Chief Luchies is caring for the dogs who still resent the approach of anyone.

While that article tells of the heroic effort of Dr. Geerlings to help his patient, it has a hopeful tone.  Two days later though came this article.

Mistress Expires, Her Dogs Die, Too
Fremont Woman Willed Death of Two Pets

Fremont, July 27.--(Special)--The death Saturday of Miss Gertrude Lubbers, 46 years old, an emplooyee of the Fremont Canning company the past 33 years, also brought about the death of her two faithful dogs which threatened for a time to prevent a doctor from treating their mistress who became seriously ill at her home about a week ago.
It was Miss Lubbers' last wish that her dogs also die should she fair to recover from her illness, and she requested hospital attendants to tell Police Chief Al Luchies to dispose of the dogs.  Mrs Lubbers died with her wish fulfilled.
Recent Miss Lubbers called Dr. Willis Geerlings to her home but before he could reach her, she had become unconscious in her chair.  When the doctore entered the home, ne of the dogs was ling on its mistress; lap and the other beside her chair.  The animals would not let the doctor come near Miss Lubbers and he was able to treat her only after Chief Luchies had been called and captured the dogs.  Miss Lubbers was later removed to the hospital where she died.
Miss Lubbers was born in the vicinity of Fremont and had always lived here.  Her long record of employment with the canning company started when she was but 13 ears old.  She had worked until shortly before her ilness.
Surviving are two brothers, Albert of Muskegon and Henry of Fremont.  Funeral services ere to be held today from the reformed church of which she was a member, with Rev. H. C. Jacobs the pastor, in charge.  Burial was made in Maple Grove here.

It is sad that she had to have her dogs die too, but from their behavior it was probably the best.  Especially after that last sentence in the first article.  I am left to wonder if they were also buried with her.  
Hmmmm.


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