When I was a little girl, my grandmother gave me a ring that belonged to her mother, my great-grandmother, Clara Waldeck Mulder. She told me it was her Eastern Star ring and asked me to take good care of it.
For years I’ve felt that Clara was a bit of a mystery to me as I knew so little of her. Then a few weeks ago, I found a photo of her while I was scanning an album and posted it in Discovering My Great-Grandmother.
The stars must be aligned right because two weeks ago I was scanning another album and found Clara’s obituary! You can see how loved she was by what is written about her.
I think the obituary is readable online, but I want to draw your attention to one particular paragraph:
She was a . . . member of Caledonia O.E.S. No. 97, a Past Matron of Caledonia Chapter, a member of the Past Matrons Association, and has been secretary of the O.E.S. for many years. She was also a member of Golden Star Rebekah Lodge, a Past Noble Grand and a member of the Past Noble Grands Association. An active member of the Caledonia Methodist Church, she served ten years as president of the East Caledonia Ladies Aid Society.
O.E.S. is Order of the Eastern Star. I used to think that Eastern Star was the women’s branch of the Masons, but the Wikipedia article shows that I am wrong. Apparently it is for men and women, although it is affiliated with the Masons. But I must say that the names of the top titles (using the word “matron”) sounds like it was for women. My great-grandfather was a Mason, so it made sense to me that my great-grandmother would be Eastern Star. Also, she was a Past Matron, so I think she was the presiding officer of her chapter at one time.
I read this far and got out the ring that Grandma gave me. I have taken good care of it, but age has taken a toll on the ring. The stone is no longer affixed to the band, and I am not sure if it can be repaired or not. I don’t want to take it in because I don’t want to risk more harm coming to the ring.
Since I had the ring out, I thought my friend Google could show me if the design was a common one or not, but I couldn’t find hide nor hair of the ring in my search for Eastern Star rings.
Then I read a little farther: Golden Star Rebekah Lodge. I didn’t know what that was, but I looked it up. The Rebekahs are a fraternal and service organization affiliated with the Odd Fellows. You can read about it here. So for kicks I looked up images of Rebekah rings. Sure enough, that’s what it is. Grandma must have thought it was Eastern Star because her mom was so entrenched in O.E.S. culture, and the R does look a bit like an E. Maybe the R is a bit worn off, in fact.
Although I am not a “joiner,” I am proud of my great-grandmother for her lifetime of service. It was women like Clara Mulder that made life better for others in the first half of the 20th century.
The Family Kalamazoo 
What a lovely oituary…and how wonderful that you still have her ring.
Thank you, Sue! I wish I could get the ring fixed, but it seems too fragile.
A good jeweller who deals with antiques should be able to repair it… I used to work in that field.
You are so likely correct. It makes me nervous though! 🙂
The cost of delicate, craftsman repairs is probably the worst you need worry about.
You are probably right!
You are right—it is a very loving obituary. What an impressive woman—she went to college so long ago! And all those organizations. The ring is lovely—I am sure you cherish it.
I think she must have been a “force.” And obviously very popular and willing to lead. Thanks, Amy!
I love that you are finding so many treasures. Keep rummaging through and sharing the finds. Your great grandmother was certainly an amazing woman and loved. “It is wonderful to have lived such a life that inspired such expressions of great love when the end came” wow that line in the obit says it all –
I love that line! It’s so cool to find out so much about her suddenly! Loving these old scrapbooks and albums!
What a beautiful ring and certainly a treasure to have… even more so now that you’ve discovered its true history and meaning. I’m sure great grandma is proudly beaming that you’ve preserved it and it’s history to pass along. Now it’s not just a ring, it’s a ring with history!
Thank you, Jeanne. The ring does mean so much more now. I so wish I had known my great-grandmother!
That’s an amazing obituary and a great ‘send off’ for her. Your ring is very interesting. 🙂
Thanks, Val. I think it’s my favorite obituary that I have found so far!
I’m glad you were able to find an obituary and also learn the true meaning of the ring.
Thanks, Eilene! All these years I’ve had this ring I never dreamed I would learn more about it!
It’s funny how we can take a new look at something we thought we’d already thoroughly researched and still find more information. It happens to me so frequently!
Genealogy just keeps giving up its information!
Great research. My grandmother was a member of those and similar groups. No wonder the towns they lived in had such a strong sense of community.
I agree. I don’t think we give those groups enough credit for what they have done for particularly small communities.
How wonderful to have this trespasser, and to find the obituary which not only gives the ring context, but tells you so much about the kind of person your great grandmother was. As an aside. This is the first time i’ve ever heard of anyone outside my family being involved in the Eastern Star. My parents were both very involved and office-holders when they were you get. I’m aftpraid my brothers and I were pretty mocking of the rituals (though even we appreciated the public service aspects). Baby bro and I did take care of the catering for our mother’s installation as a Matron though — man those guys could eat!!!
I’m going to go on the belief that you meant to write treasure! I can see you are traveling, Su ;). Oh, I love hearing about your parents being involved. So was your father Eastern Star? Were there men in it as well as women? Your father wasn’t a Mason?
😂 you are right — and I’m going to blame my poor proof-reading on the iPad and a long day in the car.
Both my parents were involved, and yes, my dad was a Mason too. I’m not quite sure what happened but he seemed to stop going to Masonic meetings and started going to Eastern Star instead. There were lots of men in it; though maybe more women. It’s where he met his second wife.
So fascinating to know this because I believe Great-Grandpa was a Mason and not in Eastern Star, but now it makes me wonder. He was so much older when he died that it’s doubtful his obituary would be as thorough as hers. Hers reads like someone cut down in the prime of life.
I must ask my dad about the organisation, and how it fits in with (or not) the Masons.
I would love to know what he has to say!
So wonderful that you still have the ring. What a treasured heirloom that honors your great-grandmother’s service to others.
I have so much respect for my great-grandmother upon learning all this about her–and it really gives the ring meaning as I can see how much it must have meant to her!
I just love all the wee details in this piece, as well, the way you followed them up to a great conclusion.
Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed my findings!
[…] Clara Mulder, my great-grandmother, passed away on 6 September 1953, as I mentioned on Discovering My Great-Grandmother. I posted her obituary on My Great-Grandmother’s Lifetime of Service. […]
[…] my post My Grandmother’s Lifetime of Service it’s clear that Clara was very devoted to her service groups. I wonder if this dress has […]
[…] I’ve posted quite a bit about Clara. You can read more about Clara at My Great-Grandmother’s Lifetime of Service. […]
This obituary provides such a wealth of information about Clara’s life! It must have been written by someone close to her. My grandmother was a member of the Eastern Star, and my grandfather was a Mason. The Rebekah ring is a real treasure.