Myrtle Gertrude Bolser was born at Little Prairie, Walworth County, Wis., December 16, 1871. Of the six children of William and Mary Christopher Bolser, four grew to maturity. Myrtle was the youngest of these. The three survivors are Clara (Mrs. Horace Stillman) of Albion, Wis.; Mahlon Bolser of Madison, Wis., Seymour Bolser of Rialto, Calif.
The family lived for several years at Palmyra, then at Albion. Myrtle was married to William Benjamin Maxson January 4, 1894. Their four children, Charles, Rolland, Dorothy and Katharine, all survive to cherish the memory of a devoted mother.
She joined the Seventh day Adventist church when a girl. She was a member of the Christian Endeavor Society of the S. D. B. church when living in Albion. In 1895, soon after the birth of her first child, she became a member of the Milton Seventh Day Baptist church, her husband having entered by baptism a few months previous. She was not demonstrative, but she had a deep religious nature. She was lovingly loyal to her God, her church, her home, her friends and any cause to which she committed herself.
From a child she was very conscientious. She wanted to do what was right. She was kind and obedient, never giving her parents any trouble, and yet she was so modest that when a girl she wept because she thought she was not good enough to be saved. She came to know the Heavenly Father who delights to be gracious, who saves us fully when we lay hold of Christ by faith, and whose promise we fully trust. She kept her modesty, but she had peace and joy in her Redeemer.
She was a home lover. Her home was her kingdom. She was sweet and unselfish, putting the welfare of others before her own. 'She made home pleasent.' What is home but the place where the wife and mother is? Her winsome personality made the home atmosphere delightful. That personality is not lost, but the spirit will still dwell there to guide and inspire the members of the household.
She was a good musician, but had not had much opportunity to cultivate her gifts. This was a great regret to her, and she planned to go on with her lessons after her marriage, but never seemed to find the time. She had a keen appreciation of music. She would listen to practicing for hours without getting tired. She seemed to enjoy in her children the advantages which she herself had not had.
She was never rugged. Her ambition was greater than her strength. Her health began to give way six or seven years ago, neither operations nor medical treatment availed to restore her. She passed away on the morning of July 22, 1917.
Death need not be feared for a Christian. It is a cutting loose from the old moorings. 'For we know that our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.' We need not mourn for the 'Guests of God.' Paul said that he had a desire to 'depart and be with Christ, which is far better.'
It is for those whom she has left behind to fulfill her prayers for them, to complete her life, and be glad for this is not to be a time of saddness but of gladness and uplift.
Funeral services were conducted at the home and at the S. D. B. church, Milton, on the afternoon of July 25, by her pastor, Rev. Lester C. Randolph. Text, Psalm 116:15. A quartet sang 'In Emmanuel's Land,' 'Face to Face,' and 'The Sweet Bye and Bye.'
Among those present from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. Horace Stillman of Albion; George Stillman of Eagle; Mr. and Mrs. George Garbett, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Garbett and Mrs John Bolser of Palmyra; Mr. and Mrs. Mahlon Bolser of Madson; Mr. and Mrs. Truman Blake of Fort Atkinson.
