Mrs. HENRY (Martha Bechtel) ALTHOUSE 1906-2000

HAGER, BECHTEL, ALTHOUSE, BORSETH, KUGEL

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 7/25/2009 at 14:51:40

Martha Althouse

Funeral services for Mrs. Martha Althouse were held Wednesday, February 16, 2000 at 11 a.m. in St. Paul Lutheran Church at Postville, Iowa. The Rev. T. M. Marks officiated. The organist was Joann Martins. Casketbearers were David Benjegerdes, John Schultz, Paul Benjegerdes, Norman Schultz, Sr., Hartley Enyart, Sr., Leo Morch, Merle Cook, and Conley Linderbaum. The Schutte Funeral and Cremation Service of Postville was in charge of arrangements. Burial was in the Postville Cemetery.

Martha Marie Althouse, the daughter of Edward Bechtel and Henrietta Hager Bechtel, was born May 6, 1906 in Ludlow Township, Allamakee County, Iowa. She passed away Saturday, February 12, 2000 in the Good Samaritan Center at Postville, Iowa. She had reached the age of 93 years, nine months and six days.

She was baptized June 24, 1906 by the Rev. Engelke and confirmed May 25, 1919 by the Rev. Jacob Ratz, both in the Bethlehem Presbyterian Church in Ludlow Township. Martha attended the rural school near her home.

On November 19, 1930 she was married to Henry F. Althouse, Jr. at the Bethlehem Presbyterian Church. To this union two children were born. The couple began farming north of Postville where Martha still lived until she entered the Good Samaritan Center in Postville in February of 1998. She had lived on that same farm for 68 years.

Martha shared the farm work with her husband as well as caring for a large garden, canning and freezing the fruits and vegetables in great quantities for her family's use. She was well known for her banana cream pies which she brought to family gatherings and neighborhood events. Martha liked working with the farm livestock, especially the cows and gave special care to her cats, making sure that they were well cared for each day. She had a special place in her heart for her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Henry, who died in 1987, a daughter, Dorothy Borseth, who died in 1988, three grandsons, Gary Borseth, Wayne Borseth, and Stephen Althouse, and a sister, Helen (Fred) Kugel.

Surviving are a son, Leonard Althouse and his wife, Mary, a son-in-law, Norman Borseth of Decorah, IA, three grandchildren, Ann Borseth of Minneapolis, MN, Randy Althouse and wife, Ellen, of Castalia, IA; and Debra Althouse of Luray, VA and six great grandchildren, Katherine, Benjamin, Christopher, Rebecca, Nicholas, and Breanna Althouse.

Martha was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville and the Women of ELCA.

Postville Herald newspaper clipping from my mother's obituary collection.