Obit: Pickett, Agnes (1873-1935)

Contributor: Kathleen Englebretson, tmkeeps@tznet.com

Surnames: Pickett, Parrette, Bohn, Birrell, Johnston, Richey, Setferth,Kuney, Vanderhoof, Heal, Sole

---Source: Marshfield News-Herald, 28 July 1934

Pickett, Agnes Ann (27 October 1873-26 July 1934)


Spencer, Jul 28---Funeral rites were held here this afternoon for Mrs.
Agnes Ann Pickett, 59 a member of one of the pioneer families of Spencer
and a former teacher and postmaster here, who died Thursday night at the
home of a daughter, Mrs. Faith Bohn, in Shell Lake. Uremic poisoning was
given as the immediate cause of death, but Mrs. Pickett had been in poor
health for many years.

Services at the Methodist Episcopal church were conducted by the Rev.
John Birrell of Marshfield, pastor of the Spencer congregation, and
burial was made in the family lot in the Spencer cemetery.
Mrs. Pickett, whose maiden name was Agnes Parrette, was born October
27, 1874, near Spencer on what is known as the Parrette farm, and spent
all but the last few years of her life in this community. At the age of
15 she began teaching in rural schools, and continued until her marriage
to Eli K. Pickett, who was killed in a saw mill accident at Romeo in
March, 1904.

After rearing her family of five children Mrs. Pickett resumed her
teaching activities, and besides her work in rural school also held a
position in the Spencer high school. She was appointed postmaster here
in 1917 and resigned in 1922, on account of poor health. Her sister,
Mrs. Maud Johnston, was named her successor and held the office until a
few weeks.

Following her resignation, Mrs. Pickett continued to live here for a
time, leaving later for Manitowoc, where she made her home with a
daughter, Merle, teacher in that city. In 1930 she accompanied a Gold
Stars Mother Pilgrimage to the battlefields of France, where her son,
Lieutenant Lee F. Pickett, was killed in action shortly before the
armistice was signed. The American Legion post at Spencer is named in
his honor.

Surviving besides Mrs. Bohn and Miss Merle Pickett, is another
daughter, Mrs. Helen Richey, Sheboygan. The family circle further
included Ruth, who died at the age of 19 in 1915.

Mrs. Pickett also leaves a brother Ray L. Parrette, Spencer, and the
following sisters: Mrs. Idamay Setferth, Beaver Dam; Mrs. Jennie C.
Kuney, Boston; Mrs. Maude Johnston, Spencer; Mrs. Marion T. Vanderhoof,
Chippewa Falls; Mrs. Jeanne Heal, Shawano, and Mrs. Louisa Sole,
Platteville.

Among the organizations with which Mrs. Pickett was identified here
are the Methodist Episcopal church, the legion auxiliary and the
W.C.T.U. and she continued her church activities in Manitowoc after
going there. She was also interested in all civic affairs until before
her death.