Bio: Harvey, Mrs. Wells F. ‘Lululee’ (Tribute - 1966)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Harvey,

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) 3/10/1966

Harvey, Mrs. Wells F. ‘Lululee’ (Tribute - 1966)

(Editor’s note: A reunion occasioned by sorrow - their first in 35 full years - of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Wells F. Harvey was brought about in Winter Haven, Fla., by the death there February 21 of Mrs. Harvey at the age of 86.)

(The following feature concerning Mrs. Harvey’s life and labors appeared in the Winter Haven News-Chief, daily newspaper, and was written by Mr. Harvey, who is publisher of the Clark County Press. Also appearing here is a tribute to the late Mrs. Harvey written by Kurt Listeman of Neillsville, which was read on radio station WCCN shortly after word of the death reached Neillsville.)

The six children of Mrs. Wells F. Harvey, meeting together for the first time in 35 years, recalled the origin of their unbroken status. They were the entire issue of Mrs. Harvey. She bore six children and brought them all to maturity. The two oldest are near sixty; the youngest is forty-five.

The unbroken status of the six, and the survival of their father, was due to the service of the mother and wife, who was a family specialist. She was quietly religious and taught Sunday school classes briefly. But the family was her life. She was the patrolman, who knew where her little people were and what they were doing. She was the practical nurse, who kept little ills from becoming big ones.  She was the dietitian, who knowing that genius might possibly bloom on a starvation diet was certain that the capacity of her normal family depended upon meat and potatoes and their like. Adding to her responsibilities was the special diet for her dyspeptic husband, which received her personal attention for more than 50 years.

In this accomplishment, Mrs. Harvey, who seemed the mild rather than the commanding sort, was an efficient executive. When the children were small she had the help of a housekeeper, a laundry woman, a seamstress and a baby sitter who usually shared the family table.  At the table were seldom fewer than nine; sometimes as many as twelve.  All of the helpers were led by Mrs. Harvey to feel that they were part of her important undertaking.

That Mrs. Harvey’s task was congenial and within her capability is evidences by her age at death, eighty-six.

The four boys lingered briefly after the funeral and then departed to their widely separated responsibilities. The daughters are remaining longer, helping their Father. (WFH)

In Memoriam - Lululee Harvey

Today we lament the passing of Lululee Harvey, wife of Wells F. Harvey and mother of Robert Harvey, long resident in our community.

Weary after four score and six years of eventful activity, a worthy woman laid her tired head on the pillow of finality and as gently as she had lived drooped into worldly silence - to cross the dividing line between now and forever, over which the loved one so peacefully just as the crimson of dawn fittingly presented itself as if to illumine the long journey west.

Mother Harvey was one of those exemplary pioneers whose characteristics stand forth as a beacon light to inspire those who follow: integrity, kindness, benevolence, compassion, piety.

The sterling endowment of this superior personage must forever be revered by those who today live in the sunshine achieved by her goodness. Her reward lies in the pride felt in giving to the world six children of equal integrity so ideally exemplified in the morals of their noble mother and father.

And now the tireless hands move no more in useful effort, the sweet lips no longer speak, no loving eyes smile kindly upon us.  The faithful guardian is at rest.

Were everyone for whom she did a friendly service to lay a rose bud on her grave, she would sleep a long, long time beneath a wilderness of flowers.

This fragment of acknowledgement is laid on the altar of a noble being that sleeps blessed by God and Man. - Kurt Listeman