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Father's Birthplace: Illinois
Mother's Birthplace: Norway
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Find A Grave Memorial# 61779825
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November 16, 1962

Obituary

Services For Maude Dennis Saturday

Final rites are to be accorded at 2 p.m. Saturday from the local Federated Church for Mrs. Maude Austin Dennis, 79, prominently known in Sycamore and throughout the county and a highly regarded resident of this community for many years. She passed away Wednesday noon at the Sycamore Municipal Hospital, following an extended illness. The Rev. Donald S. Bourne will officiate and interment will take place in the Elmwood Cemetery.
Friends may call at the Coultrip Funeral Home from 2 to 4 p.m. this Friday and from 7 to 9 this evening, to pay their final respects.
Mrs. Dennis, long active in DeKalb County politics, women's Clubs activities and church work, merited the distinction of being the first lady bailiff to serve for courts of DeKalb County, being appointed in 1939 by Judge William J Fulton and Sheriff William Eunnells. This was the highlight of her political career, and she served most efficiently in that capacity until May of 1959, when ill health forced her to resign.
Mrs. Dennis was especially active in Republican party activities since women gained the right to vote. She organized and was the first president of the DeKalb County Republican Women's Club.
In the 1920's while residing on a farm near DeKalb, Mrs. Dennis founded the DeKalb County Farm Woman's Club and was president of the club, which remained active in DeKalb County until the Home Bureau was organized and took over its activities.
During the same period, Mrs. Dennis and several others established a Farmers' Market in DeKalb area for farmers and their wives to sell produce and baked goods, this being long before fruit and vegetable markets were established.
Mrs. Dennis was also very active in both the Congregational Church at DeKalb and the Sycamore Federated Church, having served as Sunday School superintendent in the Federated Church, and also taught there for a number of years. At one time she was president of the DeKalb County Council of Religious Education.
Despite her many activities, she always took great interest in her home and family.
She was an ardent lover of flowers and devoted many pleasant hours in cultivating them. Especially of rare beauty were her roses, which commanded the admiration from local people as well as many out-of-town visitors. Mrs. Dennis had been active in both DeKalb and Sycamore Garden Clubs. She also was a faithful and longtime member of the Potter women's Relief Corps.
Born in Sycamore, March 6, 1883, she was the daughter of William and Margaret Phelps Austin. She was educated in the Sycamore schools and was graduated from the local high school in 1901, later attending Normal School in DeKalb, which is now known as Northern Illinois University. On August 26, 1903, she was united in marriage to Robert Gurden Dennis of Sycamore. They farmed for a number of years near DeKalb area, moving to Sycamore 28 years ago.
Left to mourn her demise are her three devoted children, Mrs. Alvin (Margaret) Tomlinson of Boston, Mass., Robert Austin Dennis of Sycamore and Mrs. Theodore (Audrey) Soli of Genoa; five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; and two brothers, William Austin of Rockton and Charles Austin of Mountain Home, Ark.
She was preceded in death by her husband on Dec. 6, 1958, also by her parents, four sisters and one granddaughter, Janet Dennis.
A memorial fund is being established for Mrs. Dennis, and contributions may be left with George Dutton at the National Bank and Trust Company in Sycamore.
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November 21, 1962

Obituary

Final Services Held For Mrs. Maude Dennis

Beautifully impressive were the final rites accorded Saturday afternoon from the Federated Church, with the Rev. Donald S. Bourne officiating, for Mrs. R. G. (Maude) Dennis, of Sycamore, distinguished resident of DeKalb County, and for many years active in Republican party circles, who passed away Wednesday noon at the Sycamore Muncipal Hospital. Her favorite passages of scripture were read by Rev. Bourne, and her favorite songs, "Somewhere a Voice is Calling" and "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere," were effectively sung by George Dean.
The numerous lovely floral tributes evidenced the love and high esteem of hosts of friends for the deceased, whose life was so fully lived in the interest and welfare of her home, family, community, county and state.
Many out-of-town people traveled to Sycamore to pay their final respects, coming from Waukesha, Wis.; Chicago, Oak Park, Rockford, Lombard, Kings, Rockton, DeKalb, Genoa and other nearby towns.
Her older daughter, Margaret, and husband, the Alvin Tomlinsons, motored here from Boston, Mass., and are remaining for several days at the family home. There were many nieces, nephews and cousins in attendance at the funeral, also Mrs. Dennis' brother, William Austin and son, Norman and daughter, Betty from Rockton.
Serving as pallbearers were Judge Ross E. Millet, Sheriff Arthur Anderosn, Gene Diesz, Ralph Joiner, and Victor Johnson.
Members of the Potter Women's Relief Corps carried flowers.
Assisting at the family home in the serving of the noon luncheon Saturday and the lunch following the graveside services, were members of the Potter women's Relief Corps and members of the Della Rebekah Lodge in Genoa.