Becker, Caroline (Stemmer) 1852 - 1925

BECKER, STEMMER, GLYNN, MALL, WERTLEY

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 10/24/2020 at 01:30:10

Elkader Register, Thur., 01 Oct. 1925.

Mrs. Caroline Becker, a well-known and highly respected resident of Elkader, passed away at her home at 8:30 o'clock in the morning on Tuesday, September 29th, 1925, at the age of 73 years, 5 months and 12 days.

Caroline, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mathis Stemmer, was born April 17, 1852, at Soelling, Baden, Germany. When eight years old she came with her parents to America; the ship on which they took passage landed in New York on May 26th, 1860. They resumed their journey and came to Clayton County, Iowa, finding their first home in the Community House in the Colony. Later the family purchased a farm near by. Perhaps very few of the present generation fully realize the privation and hardships those pioneer settlers had to endure. The daughter, Caroline, yet a child, worked out in order to help support the family.

When sixteen years of age, on August 5th, 1868, she was married to John W. Becker, in Elkader, which was to be the home of the young couple for the next five years. Then they decided to try farm life, and moved on a farm about two miles southwest of Elkader, where they remained four years, then returning to town for good. Their home was blessed with four children, two sons and two daughters. While in town Mr. Becker operated the Elkader bottling works, ably assisted by his faithful and energetic life's companion. A deep shadow was cast over the family, when on July 5th, 1906, the husband and father was called by a sudden death; a stroke of apoplexy being the cause. Up to the year 1913 Mrs. Becker with her daughter, Carrie, occupied the rooms of the Drug Store, where they kept house for their son and brother, William, and his daughter, Mildred, for about ten years, then moving into their newly built house. In the mean-time Mrs. Becker had had several serious operations. Having a strong constitution and a remarkable will-power she rallied each time, but at the same time she felt and realized that the strength and vitality of former days was gradually leaving her. Other complications set in, and for some years she suffered more or less. Tenderly and patiently she was cared for by her children, especially by her daughter, Carrie, who responded so willingly time and again, to assist her sister in the care of mother. And if ever there was a mother who received the most tender and loving care, it was surely Mrs. Becker.

Suffering intensely of late, it was deemed advisable to perform an operation, in order to give relief and, if possible, prolong the life of a dear mother. The operation was performed Monday afternoon. Those were the moments and hours of suspense between fear and hope. What would be the result ? Life lingered within the frail body during the following night until 8:30 o'clock in the morning, when the heart of a loving mother ceased to beat.

Her departure is mourned by two sons and two daughters: John F. and William Becker, of Elkader, Iowa, Carrie, at home, and Mrs. Wm. H. Glynn, of Parkston, S.D.

She also leaves four grandchildren, one brother, J. C. Stemmer, of Elkader, two sisters, Mrs. Katherine Mall, of Belle Plain, Iowa, and Mrs. Julia Wertley, of Elkader, Iowa, other relatives, and many friends and neighbors.

She was a faithful member of the Evangelical Church, a charter member of the Frauen-Verein, and also a member of the O.E.S., taking an interest and active part in the various church activities as long as she was able to do so. Her place is vacant; and she will be missed in the home and family, in the church and community.

Funeral services were conducted Thursday afternoon, at 1:30 at the late home and at 2:00 o'clock at the Evangelical church, Rev. C. H. Franke officiating. Burial was in East Side cemetery.