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Note: Both are buried at Flying Shot Cemetery, Lake Saskatoon, which is near Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada They went north from North Dakota, in 1910 by Oxen team, over what was known at that time as the "Long Trail", from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, which was the end of track, for the railroad at that time. Grandmother was a firm believer in Jesus Christ, and was baptized through a hole in the ice on theWisconsin, River when she was 16, and that was by immersion !!!!! From the Grande Prairie newspaper - Alberta, Canada Pioneer Woman of Grande Prairie District Called by Grim Reaper - 1939 -Came to this country in 1911 and played her part in the life of the Community - lived a wonderful Christian life - many attend funeral services On Monday, August 28, another old timer of the Grande Prairie district answered the last call when Minerva Ann South, beloved wife of John M. South, passed peacefully away at her home in Grande Prairie. The funeral services were held in McLaurin Baptist Church, Grande Prairie, on Thursday afternoon, August 31, Captain Waller and Mrs. Waller of the Salvation Army, assisted by Rev. T. D. Jones of Christ Church (Anglican), officiating. Hymns sung were: "Shall We Gather At The River?" and "There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood". Rev. Mr. Jones said: "We have met together this afternoon to pay our respects to one who has been very dear to you. In her life Mrs. South shed a radiance of Christian living about her." Referring to her death, the speaker said it is a journey that must be made alone. Continuing, Mr. Jones said that he spoke on the authority of the Bible when he said that Mrs. South passed on to eternal happiness. In poor health for many years, it seemed a load too heavy to bear, and while the parting is deeply regretted, non who had known her for these many years would have her back. Captain and Mrs. Waller then sang with great expression, "We Shall Know Each Other Better". Captain Waller said that, being a newcomer, he did not know Mrs. South, but he had heard many wonderful things about her Christian life. Burial took place in Grande Prairie Cemetery. Pallbearers were J. E. Thomson, W. J. Thomson, Mr. Dunbar, Dr. Akin, C. Ireland, and A. Westendorf. "To the heart aglow for Thee, and valley of the shadow is like sunrise on the sea; her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also and he praises her." Born at Waupaca,Wisconsin, on December 28, 1859, the second child of Kelsey and Eliza Ballard, Mrs. South spent the early years of her life there. When it is considered that she was a direct descendant of those early pioneers who stepped aboard the Mayflower and left England to escape religious persecution, one knows that almost the first words she learned were simple prayers, and her faith in God was so well founded and so sure that on her sixteenth birthday she was baptized through a hole on the ice in theWisconsin, River. In this faith she lived all her life. On March 30, 1880, she was united in marriage to John M. South. Shortly after their marriage they moved to what is now Minnesota, and later to North Dakota, . So she began her life as a pioneer. To the union were born eight children, five girls and three boys. Two sons and one daughter pre-deceased her. The remaining children are: Mrs. S. McAusland (Blanche) and Mrs. F. R. Smith (Minerva), Grande Prairie; Mrs. John Bennett (Bernese [Bonn]), Goodsoil, Sask.; Mrs. William Rolph Price (Rena), Klickitat, Washington; and Claude M. South, Cass Lake , Minnesota, . In 1904, the family moved to Melfort, Sask., where they resided until 1910, when they moved to Edmonton. In February, 1911, they started over the long trail for the Peace River country with S. McAusland, arriving at their destination on April 1, after an adventurous trip, and it was only a matter of weeks until Rev. A. Forbes held services in their home. Mrs. South immediately identified herself with Christian work, if not in her own church, then with any other that needed her help. Swiftly the years sped on, bringing their joys and sorrows, until war broke out in 1914. September, 1915, she saw her son and son-in-law sign up for active service overseas. It was characteristic of this daughter of a Civil War veteran that she bid them go, "And God be with you and keep you." In 1932 Mrs. South was stricken with arthritis, but she would not give up and kept on her feet until January, 1933, when she fainted and was taken to her bed unconscious. For many months she suffered untold agony, and it seemed as though she must pass on at any moment. During her illness she kept her faith in God, and her sweet, sunny disposition remained the same. The death of her son, Floyd J., in 1934 was a heavy blow. Three years ago she joined her husband at Grande Prairie where they have since resided. Although unable to walk or leave her home, she made many new friends and her influence reached farther than she ever dreamed. A paralytic stroke brought her beautiful and useful life to a close. Her husband and two daughters were with her when the end came, also Mrs. Frank Crummy and Mrs. Cal. Campbell. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Card of Thanks We wish to thank all those who during the long illness of our dear wife and mother have helped her to bear her cross and cared for her, also those who since her death have been so kind and for the many beautiful flowers. John M. South Mr. and Mrs. Fred R. Smith Mrs. S. McAusland Mrs Rena Cynthia Price
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