Allenstein, Katherine (Deckert) 1835 - 1910

ALLENSTEIN, DECKERT, KAMOOS, OPPERMAN, BECK, HELBIG

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 4/12/2020 at 21:59:44

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 01 Dec. 1910. Strawberry Point column.

These lines are tenderly and lovingly dedicated to the memory of Mrs. Katherine Allenstein (nee Deckert and beloved wife of Friedrich Allenstein deceased.) In Bavaria, Germany, Nov. 20, 1835, a little daughter came to gladden the hearts of Daniel Deckert and his adored wife.

She was united in the holy bonds of wedlock to the one with whom she traveled the path of matrimonial bliss. Theirs was a union where love followed along the entire path, until the final summons came which took him whom her heart held dear. And when the the mortal remains of him were laid to rest beside the graves of two children who had preceded long before, she felt her loss keenly. Part of her widowhood was spent on the farm, where they lived so many years together, and at last she decided to move to Strawberry Point, where medical skill was to be obtained more readily, for she was suffering from dropsy.

On Friday evening, Nov. 11, 1910, as the sun shed its last rays upon the earth, the beautiful sunset of her life also, closed the career of that dear mother, for she had closed her eyes in death never to open them again, until the pearly gates were reached.

During her sickness, neither time, nor money, nor labor, nor strength and duties of love were spared by the two daughters, Mrs. Gus Kamoos and Mrs. Ernest Opperman, nor her sons, Henry and Frank, and their families. The oldest living son, August, is now at home here. For more than a year, she had been the constant care of her oldest daughter, Mrs. Gus Kamoos.

The funeral took place on Friday, Nov. 18, from the home of Mr. Kamoos. Rev. Remboldt, of Lamont, preached at the house in English. Rev. Graf, the faithful pastor of the deceased, played the choral at the house and read the funeral text. Then the funeral procession slowly wended its way to Strawberry Point church, where the funeral sermon was preached. The choir rendered music which was greatly appreciated by the family and sympathizing friends. Finally, after once more viewing the beloved face of the mother, sister, grandmother and friend, the casket was closed and the long cortege wended its way to the old settlement cemetery seven miles from the Point. All the children and grandchildren of the deceased were present. Also a brother, George Deckert of Strawberry Point, a niece, Mrs. C. Dietrich Beck and son Clarence, of Elkport, Ia., Mr. and Mrs. Weisse, of Oelwein, and many old friends of several towns and the surrounding country. When the pendulum of her life's clock stopped never to swing again, she was 74 years, 11 months and 11 days old. An only sister, Mrs. E. Helbig, of Dubuque, was prevented by sickness from attending the funeral.