Surnames: Briggs, Cunningham, Kendall, Cleaves, Smith, Nelsen, Goeltz, Loos, Christofferson, Zillmann, Holtzhausen, Jackson, Payne, Draeger. Dallmann, Bane, Hoffmann, Neitzel, Sanguel, Laabs, Riplinger

----Source: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Clark County, Wis.) 08/05/1948

Briggs, E. Maude (21 Oct. 1877 - 1 Aug. 1948)

The many friends, in and around Colby, of Mrs. E. Maude Briggs, were grieved to hear of her passing Sunday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. E. Cunningham, in Freeport, Ill. In spite of many years spent confined to her wheel chair and bed, news of her death came as a surprise to all.

Mrs. Briggs was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Kendall, both of whom preceded her in death. A dearly beloved brother, Lewis E. Kendall, also preceded her in death.

She was born at Montello, Wis., Oct. 21, 1877, and died August 1, 1948 at the age of 70 years, 9 months and 10 days. While an infant, she moved with her family to Packwaukee, Wis., where she lived for a number of years, until her marriage to Otis R. Briggs on Oct. 11, 1898. Some time after her marriage she moved to Colby where, for a period of years she was actively engaged with her husband in a retail business.

As long as Mrs. Briggs was able, she took part in numerous affairs of the community. She was active in the Eastern Star, having had the honor of being a Past Worthy Matron in that organization. She was also active in the Rebeccas, the Women’s Relief Corps, the Mother’s Club, and the Parent Teachers Association.

At the age of 52 she was stricken with paralysis and for the past 18 years has been unable to take an active part in these affairs; nevertheless, she has maintained a keen interest in all of them.

After the death of her dear husband in Nov. 1944, she remained in Colby until 2 ½ years ago, at which time she went to Freeport, Ill., to make her home with her daughter, Berneita.

In spite of her illness, Mrs. Briggs has always maintained a very cheerful spirit which helped to further endear her to her many friends, and which even gave her encouragement to sometimes disheartened individuals. She loved life and she loved people. Her visits from friends and the many letters and cards they sent her when she was away from Colby were always a treasure-house of joy to her.

She leaves to mourn her passing her only daughter, Mrs. Ed Cunningham of Freeport, Ill., a sister, Mrs. R. L. Cleaves of Holcombe, Wis., her son in law, Ed Cunningham; brother in law, Ray Cleaves; and her only grandchild, Bill Cunningham.

Funeral services will be held at the Lulloff Funeral Home this Thursday afternoon at 2:30. The Rev. F. J. Smith will officiate. The members of the Abbotsford Chapter 185 of the O.E.S. will conduct the Eastern Star services. Vocal selection will be rendered by Mr. C. A. Nelsen, accompanied by his son, Clarence.

----Source: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Clark County, Wis.) 08/12/1948

Funeral services for Mrs. E. Maude Briggs, whose death was chronicled last week, were held Thursday afternoon at the Lulloff Funeral Home, Rev. F. J. Smith officiating, and internment was made in the Colby (Colby, Clark Co. Wis.) Cemetery. Pall bearers were Frank Goeltz, C. A. Nelsen, E. D. Loos, Dr. H. H. Christofferson, Ed Zillmann and Carl Holtzhausen. Flowers were in charge of Mrs. Frank Jackson, Mrs. W. W. Payne, Mrs. Ed Zillmann, Mrs. Paul Draeger, Mrs. S. L. Loos, Mrs. E. D. Loos, Mrs. Victor Dallmann, Mrs. Howard Bane, Mrs. Charles Hoffmann, Mrs. Laurence Neitzel, Mrs. Sanguel, Mrs. A. G. Laabs, Mrs. Verna Riplinger and Mrs. Frank Goeltz.