Blech, Emma Ottilie 1864 - 1899

BLECH, SCHMIDT

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/5/2021 at 20:31:23

Elkader Register, Thur., 15 June 1899. Garnavillo Department column.

Mrs. Emma Ottilie Blech, wife of Dr. G. Blech, died early Saturday morning of apoplexy of the brain. She was born May 19th, 1864, near Weissenhoehe, West Prussia. Her parents died when she was a child and in 1880, in company with her brother, Theo. Schmidt, she emigrated to the United States, settling at Oshkosh, Wis. In 1892 she went to Chicago and worked as a nurse until May 7th, 1896, at which time she was married to Dr. G. Blech. The fruit of this happy union were two little girls aged two years, two and one-half months, and seven weeks, respectively. Deceased enjoyed good health especially since she had been confined, and her sudden death was a hard blow to her husband and her other surviving relatives. Her quiet and modest way of living and her exemplary qualifications as wife and mother had won her many friends, who, with the heart-broken husband, deeply regret her unexpected and sudden departure.

The remains were laid to rest on Monday afternoon, Rev. Fritschel, of Elkport, officiating. Her brother and family, now located at Rock Island, Ill., were present at the funeral.

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Added by S. Ferrall 1/2/2021:

There is conflict re: her burial place.
-The obituary seems to indicate she's buried in one of the Garnavillo cemeteries (either the city or old cemetery)
-Ancestry .com databases "U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969" and "Iowa Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990" both give burial in Garnavillo.
-Clayton County Register of Deaths, Vol A, gives burial in Garnavillo.

However, a memorial on find-a-grave gives burial for both Emma Ottilie & her husband Gotthilf Blech in the Guttenburg City cemetery where their daughter Paula O. Blech, RN was buried many years later. The Death Certificate for Gotthilf Otto Blech gives his burial in Guttenberg. Interested researchers should verify that her burial is other than in Garnavillo. It is also possible that her remains were originally buried in Garnavillo and later reinterred at Guttenberg.