Mary Ann Stratemeyer 1846-1902

STRATEMEYER, SCHROEDER, BECKMAN

Posted By: Georgea Clinton (email)
Date: 5/6/2011 at 08:56:18

Dec 24, 1902 - Carroll Herald - The Christmas joy of the many friends of Mrs. M.A. Stratemeyer has been clouded with sadness by the news of her death early Saturday morning. The fact that she was ill was scarcely known before it was announced that the grim Reaper had cut off her earthly life. She was taken sick Thursday morning, and though she suffered intensely all day Friday, no great alarm was felt by her friends until she grew suddenly worse about midnight. From one o'clock Saturday morning she was unconscious and after suffering untold agonies for six hours she fell quietly asleep at seven o'clock, at the dawn of the new day. Both of her sons, Rialto and Homer, and a brother, B.F. Schroeder and wife, from Emmetsburg were by her side when she passed through the valley.

Mary A. Schroeder was born 50 years ago at New Bremen, Ohio, and came with her parents to this state when she was three years old. She was married in September, to G.H. Stratemeyer, and in 1876 they came to this place where the home of the family has been ever since. Of five sons, only two, Rialto and Homer, both of this city, are living. The husband and father died in 1879, leaving the widow and her boys to fight life's battles alone these 23 years.

When 14 years of age Mrs. Stratemeyer was confirmed in the Lutheran church and since then her beautiful Christian character has been that which has won for her so many friends, and the great love of those who knew her most intimately. During the years she spent in Carroll she was a member of the Presbyterian church, and it was there where next to her own home, her loss will be felt keenest, and where her influence was last exerted. Her life was in close touch with the young people of her church in their possibilities she had infinite faith, and for them never failing patience and love. The young lives who were privileged to touch with hers will always be better and nobler for having known her, and in the Sabbath school and the Christian Endeavor society, a place has been left vacant in the hearts of the young folks that they will be loath to yield to any other.

Life does not yield its richest, sweetest fruition until the keen frosts of sorrow and loss have ripened the fruit, and it seems written in enduring letters that no human shall be free from suffering and pain. Thus was that her life was nobler and her capacity to help those who too had burdens was increased.

Her husband and three boys left her, and within the last two years a sister, brother and her father, yet she quietly lifted her burdens out of others way and gave good measure to all those who needed help. But her work will live after her, reflected in the lives of others and always hearing the imprint of heaven. Though the Christmas carol of her loved ones be blended with the song of sorrow, yet it may but help to realize the meaning of the Christmas message of hope and peace. The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon in the Presbyterian church, Rev. Jordan preachng the sermon from the words: "She hath done what she could."

There were present at the funeral from Emmetsburg, her sisters, Mrs. H.0. Beckman and Miss Mahala W. Schroeder; her brothers, J.C. and W.R. Schroeder, and B.F. Schroeder and wife. The stricken family has the heart felt sympathy of the community in this, the hour of their great bereavement.