Demis Sarah Hansbrough

   General Notes:

Demis was a very strong self-reliant woman, small in stature but someone who could take over in an emergency. I remember during my childhood, while visiting them, it was not uncommon for someone to drive up (they didn't have a telephone) and ask Grandma if she could go help someone in labor, help care for a sick person, or a medicinal remedy for some ailment. This is a natural concoction, none could afford storebought things. I remember one particularly effective ointment which did come from a store though, it had the name "DENVER MUD", and looked exactly like its name. I personally do not know what great healing or medicinal properties this MUD had but it was always in Grandma's possession as long as I can remember. A particularly poignant story I remember (I was about 9 or 10 years old, a long time ago!!!), Glora, Everett Fowler's first wife, had problems during pregnancy and delayed going to the hospital. She had been hemorrhaging. Gloria's mother could not deal with the situation and stay at her daughter's bedside, so Grandma Demis stepped in and sat the hours holding on to Gloria. She did not survive, treatment had been delayed too long. I know this had been very difficult for Grandma but the strong person she was permitted her to ease the final days of a daughter-in-laws life. (Viola Lawrence)

   Marriage Information:

Demis married Thomas Franklin Fowler, son of Alexander Fowler and Lucinda Gray, on 2 Oct 1912 in Pratt, Pratt County, Kansas. (Thomas Franklin Fowler was born on 24 Aug 1884 in Wellsford, Kansas and died in 1982 in Smithland, Woodbury County, Iowa.)

   Marriage Notes:

Everett and Elsie were twins.
They also had a stillborn baby.

Tom and Demis lived in several states, among them Ark., Wash. and Iowa. They lived in several locations in IA., but spent a number of years on a farm between Smithland and Oto, Iowa. They lived several years in retirement in Oto, IA. Their farm land is presently owned by Harold, Eva and EIsie.
Tom and Demis worked hard all their life to provide the needs of their large family. They are good and honest people who have maintained a good sense of humor throughout their life. Our Mother once said, "Sure we had a lot of kids, but we loved every one of them". To know them is to love them and they are truly and deeply loved by all their children, grandchildren and a host of friends. They are at the present time living together in a Nursing Home.
Address: Tom and Demis Fowler
Billy Sunday Nursing Home
6120 Morningaide Nursing Home
Sioux City, Iowa 51106
*By Elsie Newman...January 20, 1980*