Surnames: RABENSTEIN

----Source: CLARK COUNTY REPUBLICAN & PRESS (Neillsville, Wis.) 05/27/1909

Rabenstein, Madonna (18 May 1899 - 26 Oct 1908)

Early Monday morning Oct. 26, 1908, Madonna, the youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. C. Rabenstein, died in the hospital at Marshfield, where she was operated upon the day before for appendicitis. The news of her death came as a sad surprise to all the family’s friends and neighbors. While she had not been at school the week previous her illness was considered quite trifling. She appeared to suffer but little and insisting that she did not need to stay in bed, she would be up and about the room at times, playing her favorite pieces on the piano and acting with her usual gaiety. On Saturday symptoms of appendicitis developed rapidly and accompanied by her parents and local physicians she was taken to Marshfield on the midnight train and operated upon as soon as possible after arrival. It was too late, as septic poisoning had set in from which she died early the next morning. That evening the sorrowing parents, with a number of friends who went over as soon as the news reached here, returned with the remains. She was a child of unusual beauty and promise and was the idol of her parents’ hearts. Never have we seen more sincere expression of sympathy from every side, even the children came singly and in groups to look at the dead face of their little friend as she lay there almost as one asleep.

Madonna was born May 18, 1899. Being much younger than her brothers and sisters she had always been the household pet, and while developing an intelligence and keen sense of humor beyond her years, she retained her childish sweetness of character and disposition. Even at the dark portal of death the surgeons delayed their work a little and smiled as she told them a funny story she had heard at the expense of their profession.

While words and acts of kindness and sympathy have come to the father and mother abundantly, we know full well that these cannot now fill the aching void in the hearts and home left desolate. Only when the softening haze of time shall have touched their grief, May the memory of their little girl’s sweet affection and love come to them as a consolation and even as a joy.

The funeral services will be held at the home this afternoon at two o’clock, Rev. H.A. Risser officiating.