Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 121, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 May 1913 — WED AT COFFIN OF MOTHER [ARTICLE]

WED AT COFFIN OF MOTHER

Chicago Couple Carry Out Woman’s Last Dying Wish—Funeral a Wedding Trip. Chicago.—The most urgent request of the late Mrs. Peter Peterson. 1422 East Seventieth' street, to her son. Christ Peterson, during her final years was that he get married before her death. "If not before 1 die, then at least before I am buried,” she told him. The son was in no hurry, and not thinking there was any likelihood of his mother dying soon, he kept, putting it off. Perhaps one factor in the postponement was the hesitating attitude of the girl of his choice. Miss Hannah Jensen, 8818 Adams avenue. But on last Saturday Mrs. Peterson while visiting a neighbor was stricken with apoplexy. Young Peterson remembered the last wish his mother had expressed. He telephoned Miss Jensfen and obtained her consent, then telephoned the license clerk and discovered it was too late to get a marriage license. The Rev. William Steinmeyer, pastor of the Zion Lutheran church, was asked to officiate. On Tuesday the minister was telephoned again and asked to appear a few minutee before the time set for the funeral service. He was escorted

into the room where the casket lay. At the head of the coffin in deep mourning stood young Peterson and Miss Jensen hand in hand. Some one whispered the circumstances to the shocked clergyman, and after he had regained his composure he marched forward, forgot the funeral service temporarily, and united the couple in marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson took their places with the other mourners and the funeral proceeded. They went to the cemetery, watched the burial, and returned to the house. That was their only wedding trip, Peterson said philosophically.