Holyoke Enterprise, Holyoke, Colorado, 27 Jun 1945 

MRS. VIRGINIA HELLER EARLY SETTLER, DIES 

Funeral services for Mrs. Virginia Heller were held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at the First Baptist Church, with Rev. P.H. Evans in charge. A quartet composed of Mrs. R.N. White, Mrs. Charles Brown, G.L. Bereman and Dr. P.S. Struble sang three numbers. They were accompanied by Mrs. Struble. Six grandsons acted as pallbearers. Interment was in the Holyoke cemetery. A quartet from the Fairfield church sang at the cemetery. 

Virginia Margret Gilmore was born in Pennsylvania, November 26, 1859. While yet a child, her mother died and she was furnished a home by her uncle. Early in life she came West with her uncle to Illinois where they resided for a short time and then moved to Nebraska. 

On April 30, 1876 she was united in marriage to William C. Heller in York, Nebraska. In 1887 Mr. and Mrs. Heller came to Colorado and located two and one half miles east of what is now Holyoke. To this union was born four daughters; Rebecca, now Mrs. Frank Austin of Ovid, Colorado, Ida, now Mrs. Fred Woodhams of Ovid, Colorado, Ethel now Mrs. George Utesler of Holyoke, and Clara, now Mrs. Merideth Bailey of Englewood, Colorado, and one son Roy of Holyoke. They also raised one foster daughter, Hattie Jan who married W.H. Woodhams and died October 4, 1942. 

 On March 4, 1942 Mr. Heller died and the widow made her home with her son Roy. On the 16th of this month, Mrs. Heller had a heart attack and has been confined to her bed at the home of her daughter, Mrs. George Utesler for one week. She died there at 6:15 p.m. June 23, 1945 aged 85 years, 6 months, 27 days. She leaves to mourn her loss the four daughters and one son above mentioned with 35 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild and many friends. She had 9 grandsons and one granddaughter and one great grandson in the service. 

When the deceased located in Colorado, Holyoke was not in existence and there were no railroads from the State line to Sterling. She and her husband endured many hardships and when the First Baptist Church was organized in Holyoke both became charter members. 

Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea Saith the Spirit that may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. 

Virginia Margret (Gilmore) Heller