Mary Fleskes, 1841-1930

FLESKES, BRUCH, WERIMONTWIEDERIN, AUGUSTINE, THIELKE

Posted By: Wendy Safford
Date: 12/18/2015 at 10:59:02

Mrs. Mary Fleskes Dies Yesterday At Home Of Daughter

Pioneer Carroll County Resident Passes Away After Several Year's Illness

Mrs. Mary Fleskes, one of the pioneers of Carroll county, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Nick Wernimont, Tuesday morning, June 24, 1930 , at 5 o’ clock. Mrs. Fleskes had been bedfast since August, 1929 and for twenty years was in poor health.

Mary Anna Bruch was born in Germany April 23, 1884, and when three years old came with her parents, Mr. And Mrs. Sebastian Bruch to the United states. They located at Mansfield, Ohio. When the daughter was ten years old the family moved to New Vienna, Iowa. It was here she was married at the age of seventeen to Alois Wiederin. Following their marriage Mr. And Mrs. Wiederin lived at New Vienna two years before locating in St. Louis, where Mr. Wiederin was employed in a factory. Deciding to take up farming as an occupation, they moved to Keokuk, and in 1870 came to Carroll County, locating on a farm five miles north of Carroll. Mr. Wiederin died on this farm in 1872.

Mrs. Wiederin and her six children remained on this farm for nine years after Mr. Wiederin’s death. These were trying times for the grief-stricken young widow, but she forged ahead to make the home a pleasant one and improve the land. On April 2, 1881 she married Theodore Fleskes, and moved to Mount Carmel, where they lived until 1904. At that time they located at Muensier, Canada, where they farmed for six years. They then returned to Carroll County and settled on a farm five miles north of Carroll, where Mr. Fleskes died in November, 1920. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Fleskes made her home with her son, August Wiederin, for three years, and since that time has lived with her daughter, Mrs. Nick Wernimont.

Eight children were born to Mr. And Mrs. Wiederin: Joseph, who died 13 years ago; George Wiederin, Riverton, Wyo.; Mrs. Anna Augustine, Breda; August Wiederin; Mrs. Elizabeth Thielke; and Mrs. Nick Wernimont, Carroll. Two children, Agatha and Jacob, died in infancy.

One Son, Francis, was born to Mr. And Mrs. Fleskes, who died when two years old.

Surviving besides the five children are two brothers John Bruch, Portland, Ore.; and Anton Bruch, Lusk, Wyo. The late Sebastian Bruch of Carroll was also a brother of the deceased.

Fifty-one grandchildren, sixty-six great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren also survive.

Mrs. Fleskes was a devout Catholic and a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. She was also a member of the Christian Mothers Society of the church.

She was a woman of gentle and kindly ways, who lived a life of strong purpose and selflessness. She was sympathetic and friendly, and was happy when she could assist a neighbor or friend. Her life was lived according to the doctrines of her church, and in her failing days she felt no fear. During her illness, which was a trying one, as the disease was of an insidious nature, she was tenderly cared for by her daughter, Mrs. Wernimont, who patiently and willingly did all in her power to lessen the suffering on her mother and make her days as comfortable as possible.

Funeral services will be held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church Thursday morning at 9 o’ clock, Rev. Fr. Roth officiating, Burial will be made in the Mount Carmel Cemetery.

(Note: hand written: 88 yr, married at 17, stepchildren not mentioned, eight were of first marriage)

Submitted By: Wendy Safford
Daughter of Glenna Fleskes Safford