The Daily Oklahoman
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
July 15, 1909
page 10

OBITUARY

Mrs. Rowena Kirkpatrick, wife of A. J. Kirkpatrick, died at the home of her sister, Mrs. Judge. B. M. Dilley, 214 West Fourth street, Friday morning, July 13th, at 3:10 o'clock am of tumors, from which she had bee a sufferer for some time. Her maiden name was Rowena Harvey and she was born in Keokuk, Ia., where she grow (sic) to womanhood. 

In December 1897, she with her family moved to Hamilton, Mo., where she resided until the death of her mother in 1894, when she and her father came to Oklahoma City, to make their home. Her father, W. C. Harvey, was a dry goods merchant in Keokuk and also in Hamilton, Mo. She was of Quaker descent, and her mother, whose maiden name was Fisher, belonged to the family of that name whose lineage was an honorable one in the state of Indiana.

At the time of her coming to Oklahoma City, Judge Dilicy was register of the United States land office at this city, and it was not long until she became chief clerk. This position she also held under the administration of Anton H. Classen as receiver, and Seymour S. Price as register. In this position she was both faithful and competent, treating all with equal fairness.

On January 1, 1898, she was married to A. J. Kirkpatrick, president and manager of the Model Drug and Jewelry company on West Grand avenue. She proved to be an excellent wife and a loving and careful mother to Miss Alice, the young daughter of Mr. Kirkpatrick by a former wife. On June 4, 1905, she became the mother of a bright baby boy, who, though he can never know the infinite love and touch of a true mother's hand, yet will have kind nursing and care, to guide his little feet and young mind in the paths of rectitude and right. She had always been a devoted christian girl and woman; was a faithful member of the Presbyterian church and charitable in gifts to the needy as well as in criticisms of the weaknesses of those about her. She wanted people to do right and reap the joyous reward, that, in her faith she believed would follow.

As an evidence of the simplicity of her faith, and the glory of her expectations, after the battle was over, she had that baby boy baptized, or christened the night before her death, by Rev. Graham of the Presbyterian church of this city, in the presence of family and friends there assembled, and as each kneeled and bowed heads around her couch, the couch of death to her - it seemed that there was a "rustle of Kings" in the room.

She passed away calmly and peacefully with a smile on her face and her baby embraced in her arms. Blessed life! Happy death. 

Those of her family who survive her, other than her husband and immediate household, are her sister, Mrs. L. deSteigner of Okmulgee (who with her husband, was present a short while before she died,) Mrs. Dr. Holroyd of Chicago, and Mrs. B.M. Dilley of this city, also many nieces and nephews, who all sincerely mourn her loss. And He said, Come up higher, and this one obeyed call.

The funeral will take place today from 214 West Fourth Street, at 3 pm.

Submitted by Madeleine Rielley, February 2003.