Boettcher, Wilhelmina Marie (Barske) 1842 - 1934

BOETTCHER, BARSKE, GLESNE, PRATT, SCHNEIDER

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 7/11/2021 at 21:18:53

Clayton County Register, Thur., 19 Apr. 1934.

Sunday night, April 15th, after an illness of ten days, Elkader's next oldest and highly respected citizen, Mrs. Wilhelmina Marie Boettcher, nee Barske, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Anna Glesne, at the rare old age of 91 years, ten months and 27 days.

She was born May 19, 1842, at Stettin, Province Pomern, Germany, where she was also baptized and confirmed. On February 16, 1870, she was united in marriage to Christian Boettcher. In 1872, she came to America and settled on a farm at Communia, Ia., which was their residence for about six years. After that, for several years, they resided on a farm southwest of Elkader and there Mr. Boettcher died November 4, 1887.

In 1890, Mrs. Boettcher, with her family, moved to Elkader, which has been her home ever since, residing with her daughter, Mrs. Anna Glesne, for the past 30 years.

There were eight children in the family - five preceded their mother in death. Those surviving, who may often recall pleasant memories of this noble, optomistic woman, are: Mrs. Minnie Pratt, Minneapolis, Minn.; Richard, St. Paul, Minn. and Mrs. Anna Glesne, Elkader. There also survive six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, one brother, Richard Barske, Elkader; one niece, Mrs. Paul Schneider, Merrill, Wis.; one nephew, William Barske, Antigo, Wis.; one sister-in-law, Mrs. Wm. Barske.

Mrs. Boettcher loved the German language. She was fond of its poetry and many verses are found in her "treasure box." She was a faithful member of the Evangelical church; also of the Frauen Verein and attended services when ever she was able to.

For years she was greatly handicapped, having suffered from broken bones on several occasions. In spite of her extreme lameness, she attended Frauen Verein at one session last summer, particularly to hear her great-grandson play a piano solo at that meeting. Here we see her great interest in life - in the people about her. She loved company and was always interested in affairs of the day. Besides her relatives here and several in Germany, Mrs. Boettcher leaves a host of friends to cherish pleasant memories of her.

Members of the Frauen Verein will recall that she attended the 25th anniversary of this organization's celebration at the church, May 14, 1931.

Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon at 1:30 at the Glesne home and at 2:00 in the Evangelical church, the Rev. P. Kitterer officiating. Interment was made in the East Side cemetery.