Doris Gerken 1831-1910

GERKEN, PETERSEN

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 12/24/2016 at 10:03:01

6 May 1910 - The Lowden News

Doris Petersen was born at Hadersleben, Province Schleswig, Germany on July 1st, 1831. She came to New York in 1852, and on January 22nd, 1853 she was married in New York to Carl Gerken. To this happy union was born one daughter, who, however, died while yet quite young. In about 1858 Mr. and Mrs. Gerken came to Iowa and located on the farm northeast of Lowden, where they resided until Mr. Gerken's death, which occurred on March 21st, 1878. During her thirty-two years of widowhood, Mrs. Gerken resided at Lowden, first with her aged parents after whose demise Mrs. Gerken lived alone, associating, however, closely with several of her near relatives, who were also her neighbors.

Mrs. Gerkin was a good and kind old lady, always friendly and pleasant, while she was yet able to be about. She took sick last fall, and suffered a great deal of pain. She was effected with rheumatism, and later other complications set in, emaciating her body greatly. She carried the burdens of sickness and pain quietly and hopefully, looking faithfully to the beautiful home beyond, where all pain and sorrows end. She died Sunday, May 1st, at the age of 78 years and 10 months. Four brothers and four sisters and a large number of other near relatives survive to mourn her demise.

The relatives from the distance, who attended the funeral, were Julius Petersen and daughter, Miss Clara, and Herman Petersen of Chicago, also Mr. and Mrs. Wm. F. Hahn of Davenport and Mrs. F. L. Milton of Stanwood.

Funeral occurred Tuesday with services at the home. Rev. Werning officiated. The pallbearers were Wm. Klipp, H. Hinrichs, Chas. Dehne, Joe Gehrls, Chas. Kreinbring and John Kreinbring, and they layed Mrs. Gerken to rest in the family lot on the Lowden cemetery. Friede Ihrer Asche.