Person:Mathilda Holly (1)

Mrs. Ben F. Lestina Dies Suddenly

Was Ill Only Two Days When Summoned

Matilda Holly Lestina, daughter of John and Mary Holly, was born October 6, 1895, and departed this life on February 22, 1940, at the age of 44 years, 4 months and 16 days. She had suddenly taken ill at her home on Tuesday, Feb. 20th, and was rushed to Mercy Hospital at Dubuque, where she passed away two days later.

She was born on a farm near Beulah, Iowa, and spent her entire life in that community and received her education in the rural schools of Giard township.

As Matilda Holly, she was united in marriage with Ben F. Lestina on November 7, 1916. They made their first home on the farm now owned by Joe Kadlec. After two years, they moved to their present home, where she lived to the time of her death.

She leaves to mourn her departure her husband and two children, Gerald and Jean, both at home; her mother, Mrs. John Holly, and twelve brothers and sisters, Frank, John, Albert, Jacob, Vencil and Elmer Holly, all residing in and near Monona, Joe Holly of Farmersburg, and George Holly of Sumner, Mrs. Mary Fibikar of Boone, Mrs. Rose Schroeder and Mrs. Anna Montgomery of Monona, and Mrs. Kate Johnson of Marquette. Her father and two sisters preceded her in death.

Funeral services were held on Monday, Feb. 26, 1940, at St. Patrick's Church in Monona. Requiem High Mass was celebrated by Rev. Luke Donlon, assisted by the church choir. Remains were laid to rest in St. Patrick's Cemetery.

The pallbearers for Mrs. Lestina were her seven brothers, Frank, John, Elmer, George, Jake, Vencil Holly and Will Schroder, a brother-in-law.

Spiritual bouquets and floral offerings were many and beautiful.

Out of town relatives were Mr. and Mrs. John Johnson, Marquette; Mrs. Mary Fibikar of Boone; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Fibikar of Dows; Mr. and Mrs. George Holly of Sumner; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Lestina, Ossian; Mr. and Mrs. John Montgomery of McGregor; Mrs. Mary Blietz, Prairie du Chien; Mr. Leonard Marovitz of Bassett.

Mrs. Ben Lestina

Monona, Ia. -- Funeral services for Mrs. Ben Lestina, 44, who died at Mercy Hospital in Dubuque, were held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church here with the Rev. Luke Donlon, pastor, officiating at the requiem high mass.

Burial was in the adjoining cemetery. Her eight brothers were pallbearers.

As Tillie Holly, she was born at Beulah on Oct. 6, 1895, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Holly. She attended school at Beulah and on Nov. 7, 1919, she was married here to Ben Lestina.

Surviving are her husband; two children, Gerald and Jeanne; her mother, Mrs. John Holly; and 12 brothers and sisters, Frank, John, Albert, Jacob, Vencilof, Elmer Holly, Mrs. Ann Montgomery and Mrs. Rose Schroeder, all of Monona; George of Sumner, Mrs. Kate Johnson of Marquette, Mrs. Mary Fibikar of Boone and Joseph of Farmersburg.

Her father and two sisters preceded her in death.