Minerva (Grady) Koons
Sterling, Kansas, 28 December 1917

   Mrs. S.W. Koons - Another of the pioneer residents of Sterling was summoned to her eternal reward when Mrs. Minerva Jane Koons, the wife of S.W. Koons, passed away Tuesday at noon at her home in this city. She had been in failing health for the last four years suffering from a complication of diseases, but her condition had been regarded as critical only since last Saturday. Mrs. Koons returned a little more than two weeks ago from Forgan, Okla., where she had spent several weeks with her daughter, Mrs. Callie Coldwater, in the hope that the change of climate might bring her relief. Her condition, however, grew worse until death brought relief from suffering.
   Mrs. Koons, who was age sixty-seven years, four months and fourteen days at the time of her death, was born in Star county, Ohio, August 11, 1850. Her maiden name was Minerva Grady. Her girlhood was spent in Ohio, where her marriage to Simon W. Koons took place December 1, 1870. The couple made their home in Ohio for seven years and in 1877 came to Kansas and located near Sterling. They reached this place Thanksgiving night, November 29, 1877, and made their home on a farm seven miles northwest of Sterling until 1909, when they moved to this city where they have since resided.
   In her girlhood Mrs. Koons united with the German Reformed church but after coming to this city she transferred her membership to the Methodist church in this city. She was a woman of noble Christian character and beloved by all who knew her. Knowing that death was near she made every preparation for the end and selected the text and hymns which she wished to have used at her funeral services.
   She was a member of the Grace Rebekah lodge of this city and was active in the lodge work so long as her health would permit.
   Mrs. Koons is survived by her husband and by six children: Dr. F.W. Koons, of Nickerson; Mrs. Nola Burroughs, of near Alden; Mrs. Callie Coldwater, of Forgan, Okla.; Guy G. Koons, of Alden; Mrs. Lelia Wagner, of Lyons; and Clarence B. Koons, of Little River. She also leaves sixteen grand children. One brother and two sisters also survive her. They are D.W. Grady, of Alden; Mrs. E.M. Black, of Hutchinson; and Mrs. Dema Senf, of Murdock.
   Funeral services were held at the Methodist church Thursday afternoon at half past two o'clock and were attended by a number of relatives and friends who gathered to pay a final tribute of love to her memory. The services were conducted by Rev. E.F. Buck, the pastor of the Methodist church who founded his discourse upon the text selected by Mrs. Koons.