----Source: LOYAL TRIBUNE (Loyal, Clark County, Wis.) 08/17/1922

Hillis, Sara E. (8 OCT 1888 - 29 Jul 1922)

A deep gloom was cast over our city and community Saturday evening by the announcement of the unexpected death of Mrs. S. J. Hillis, which occurred at 9:00 following an operation. The news came as a shock and surprise to all as she appeared in her usual health the day previous and upon retiring for the night. About 4 o'clock Saturday morning Dr. Hillis awoke, and glancing at his wife, became alarmed at her appearance and reaching over felt of her pulse, which he found beating rapidly. Mrs. Hillis had been sleeping well during the night and this was the first intimation he had of the serious condition of his wife. It was decided to summon a physician from Minot, and Dr. Wheelon, Dr. Parker and Dr. A. D. McCannel, with two nurses arrived a few hours later. A diagnosis of her symptoms convinced the surgeon that an operation was imperative.

Mrs. Hillis rallied from the operation about 4 o'clock in the afternoon and the anxious relatives at her bedside were much encouraged, but a little later she became semi-conscious and peacefully passed away.

Funeral services were held yesterday morning at 10 o'clock from the residence; Rev. E. E. Keedy of Minot, former pastor of the Congregational Church of this city, officiating, with Rev. Joseph D. Reish, pastor of the Berthold Brethren Church, assisting. Funeral Director E. A. Emanuel was in charge.

The Mesdames R. W. Pence and A. F. McLane of the Presbyterian Choir of Minot, sang "Saved by Grace" and "Sometime We'll Understand," and Rev. C. T. Jensen of Berthold Lutheran Church rendered a solo entitled "My God, My Father, While I Stray."

At the cemetery the Berthold Chapter of the Eastern Star took charge and went through the impressive funeral service of the order.

The pallbearers were Dr. J. W. Smith, E. H. Darling, Arnold Torgerson, E. R. Johnston, Carl Rush, and H. A. Salter, representing the American Legion.

The floral offerings were abundant and beautiful, the contributors being the eastern Star, Masons, Odd Fellows, American Legion, Women's Auxiliary, Berthold Grange, Northwestern Medical Association, City Council and friends.

The out of town relatives and friends who were here to attend the funeral were: Mrs. Mary Hillis and daughter Ella of Toronto, Canada, Mr. and Mrs. John McIntyre of Walford, N.D., H. A. Sampson of Nashua, Mont., Dr. A. D. McCannel, Dr. Parker, Dr. F. E. Wheelon of Minot, Dr. Halvorson of Des Lacs, and Dr. E. W. Hancock of Carpio.

Sara E. Darton was born Oct. 8, 1888, at Loyal, Clark County, Wis.. Later in 1907 she came to Berthold and accepted a position as assistant pharmacist with the Berthold Drug Co., and on April 22, 1908, she was married to Dr. S. J. Hillis, since which time she has made her home in this city.

While Dr. Hillis served with the expeditionary forces in France, Mrs. Hillis interested herself in all wartime activities, taking a lead in Red Cross work and also rendered valuable service during the influenza epidemic. She was also a great worker in the Sunday school and the remarkable attendance at the Congregational Sunday school was largely due to her untiring efforts.

Of the immediate family there is only the husband and the father to mourn the untimely death of a kind and devoted wife and daughter. A niece, Genevieve Calnan, will also feel her loss keenly. The sympathy of the entire community goes out to the bereaved ones in this time of sorrow.

(Aug. 3rd Issue, Berthold Tribune)