Stella Eloise Thurston

The Payette Independent
Friday, October 30, 1908

MRS. RALPH THURSTON ANSWERS DEATH CALL

Death is extremely sad at all times but it is seldom that the visit of the white robed angel causes more sorrow than was felt in Payette when the news came of the passing of the spirit of Mrs. Ralph Thurston, who died at the St. Helena sanitarium, California, October 22. Her spirit was taken just as her life was budding into full womanhood, just as she and her husband were preparing themselves for a greater usefullness in the world. For her to be stricken down at what seems such an untimely age cast a cloud of gloom over the large circle of friends she had in Payette.

Stella Eloise Thurston was the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Brainard. She was born at Whatcheer, Iowa, January 28, 1885. Her girlhood was spent in Ogden, Utah, where she leaves many friends whose sympathy and love testify to her sweet and loyal comradeship. She graduated from the Collegiate Institute of Salt Lake and afterward attended Whitman college Wash., and Oberline college, Ohio. In each place she grew in fine Christain character as her education was received, and left the touch of her strong personality upon her friends and associates.

She came to Payette as a young woman, and on August 7, 1906, was united in marriage with Ralph V. Thurston, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Thurston, one of the oldest and most highly respected families of Payette. After their marriage she lived a short time in Utah, then moved to Kimberly, British Columbia, and this last summer went to Berkeley, Cal., where Mr. Thurston was studying.

Her body was brought to Payette Monday of this week and Tuesday afternoon was laid to rest in Riverside cemetery. A simple and beautiful service was held in the Methodist church by Rev. Mr. Turner of the Presbyterian church, of which Mrs. Thurston was an active member. The church was filled with the many friends of the two families who listened to a sermon both comforting and inspiring. Sweet and appropriate music was furnished by her friends.