Kalispell
21 Apr 1909

Dear Lettie:

It was a great disappointment to me that not one of you girls could be with me this week and help me, but I do not blame you dear, and neither would dear Hattie if she knew.

Our darling baby sister passed away at half past 12 a.m. last Saturday the next day after I wrote, it was all very sudden. I did not realize the end was so near and when I told Charlie that day that I had written to you and Rena to come, he thot there was no immediate hurry as she might live for several weeks yet, but I knew differently. I went up and spent the afternoon with her and when I came away at nearly supper time she said she felt better, she had been failing for about a month. On her birthday, the 9th, I gave her a little surprise party at my house & invited in all the old married people and several brot her pretty presents. She seemed to enjoy herself but when she got home that night Charlie said she was very tired. I went up on Sat. and did some Easter baking and combed her hair and fixed up a little. On Sun. she sat up a little while I was up again and ate a little of my pie and pronounced it fine, but I thot she looked very badly and she seemed so quiet and sad for her.

I was there all I could be during the week and she never mentioned she thot she was much worse, but on Thurs. she told a lady that was there she thot she was going to die, but she did not want to "tell her dear sister Ida so" so on Fri. as she did not mention it I thot she had given up the thot of death but wished she would mention it, but as she seemed to feel better I felt a little easier about her and went to bed a little after 10. At 11 Charlie said she began to sink so Merrill came after me, Frank and I both got there as quickly as we could. She was suffering considerable so we sent for a Dr. When he came he said there was no hope, but gave her something to quiet her, but even after he left she was still hopeful, but a little after sunrise she began to sink so she asked if we thot she was dying and Charlie told her she was, so she asked for the children calling Floy first and having her kiss her then Dalin, Glen, Merrill and Harry and to each offering loving tender words of advise - then Charlie, telling him he had been a kind husband doing all he could for her. She had all ready hugged and kissed me telling me I had been a good sister, then after a pause she said, "and all my sisters have been good to me." She rested a minute after kissing Charlie then she said, "I'm happy" then a pause again, then "Ida I shall soon see Fannie and mother." Then she said "Ed, Ed." I think she wanted to say she forgave him, but her strength failed her. She lived for some time after that but did not talk, only to ask us to turn her over in bed and for water, but knowing all of us all the time, at noon I had one of my friends go to my house and get dinner for all, so I sent them all down here except one lady and Charlie, so she died with only us three there. She knew me five minutes before she died. It is hard, Lettie, to see a sister die, and I have been very miserable ever since, but it was a beautiful death and all those that witnessed it said they never saw anything like it.

She was loved by all that knew her here. It was wonderful, her patience and goodness, and I think she has been a help to many. Daniel said as he stood looking at her in her coffin "I guess she was one of the best women that ever lived", and I think so, too.

I had her brought here as soon as she died, and I had my house full, offering help. She was buried in the new silk waist I had just made for her. She wore it just once on her birthday, and the black skirt you fixed-over for her. I combed her hair pretty, and she wore her glasses, she looked so natural and nice, such a sweet face.

The hymns they sang was of my selection. One, "We shall never say goodbye", was sung at my Fannie's funeral, and "Asleep in Jesus" at Fannie Crisler's, you remember. Then Mr. Thompson, our minister, sang a solo Hattie loved so much, "The White Winged Angels". The funeral was the largest ever held here except Fannies and she is buried in the next lot just where she wanted to be, so I have one more grave to tend and one more dear one in Heaven to think of.

It will be very lonesome for me for I dearly loved to see Hattie every day and she was a help and comfort to me being always so cheerful. Will send you a small piece of the tucking we had in the neck and sleeves and the net. We made a pretty jabot trimmed with that fine lace - it looked so pretty, I sent each of the girls a piece. Rena got here just after Hattie died. She is still here, will stay the week out. How I wished, Lettie, I could see you. I could talk so much better than I can write. I sent a telegram for brother Frank, but have not heard from him yet. I must close. With much love,
Ida