Diers, Margaret (Schneider) 1849 - 1917

DIERS, SCHNIEDER, SCHNEIDER, MILLER, HAGENSICK, MEYER, ROEPKEN, BRANDT

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 9/19/2021 at 12:38:11

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 08 Feb. 1917.

Mrs. F. W. Diers Called.

Mrs. F. W. Diers died at her home near Garnavillo last Friday, after an illness of about ten days. She was the mother of Mrs. Wm. Miller, our local doctor, Henry Diers, managing the home farm, Mrs. J. L. Hagensick and a daughter Alma, living at home. Her husband survives her.

Mrs. Diers' funeral was held at Clayton Center, Tuesday, at 11 a.m., services being at both home and church, Rev. Athenstadt officiating. Her remains were buried in the new cemetery there.

Those relatives from a distance who were at the funeral were Fred Schneider, a brother, of Hallam, Neb.; Mr. and Mrs. Herman Meyer, of Roca, Neb.; John Roepken, of Hallam, and John Meyer, also of Hallam. Two other brothers of Mrs. Diers were unable to be present on account of sickness. The others were here for the double purpose of attending of funeral of Mrs. Diers and Henry Brandt.

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Mrs. F. W. Diers.

Mrs. Margaret Diers was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dietrich Schneider, her birth occurring March 6th, 1849, in the town of Zetel, the duchy of Oldenburg, in Germany. She was confirmed in Neuenburg in the Fatherland on April 19th, 1863.

Inspired by the same zeal which has prompted millions to leave the countries across the sea - for the wide acres, the manifold advantages and the wonderful opportunities of our American commonwealth - the deceased emigrated to the United States in 1869 with her parents and sisters, choosing Read township, in Clayton County, as their point of destination.

On December 13th, 1872, the deceased was united in marriage to Frederich Wilhelm Diers. The statement that their married life was peaceful and unusually happy is more than justifiable. The months and years passed away in sweet accord and perfect harmony: there was nothing to mar the melody and tranquility of their life. Some ten years ago Mr. and Mrs. Diers sold their beautiful Centre Valley stock farm to their son Henry, the present proprietor, to spend the declining years of life in the enjoyment of the fruits of their labors, ever acting as counsellors for and being a source of inspiration to their children. The deceased was, in fact, the ideal friend and companion of her loved ones, sharing their joys or sorrows and ever ready to aid them in all ways possible. Her home life abounded in the beauty of love and companionship and the constant desire to help those less fortunate than herself. Of this many of her friends in this neighborhood will bear ample testimony.

In the death of Mrs. Diers this community has lost one of the older and well-beloved residents, whose life has been a helpful one and whose influence was for good. With malice toward none, kind and cheerful under all circumstances, true to friends and principals, believing in honor and uprightness in all things, speaking always the best of all and finding merit in every one, her life was one to better those who knew her. In short, her existence was an exemplification of personified Christianity.

Throughout her life the deceased kept in active touch with her church work. She was ever interested in its welfare and participated in all its affairs when her health permitted her to do so. In her death the church sustains a loss which cannot be measured.

From earliest childhood Mrs. Diers enjoyed comparatively good health, excepting the last few years, when she became affected with asthma. During the last weeks she failed rapidly and eight days ago, fully aware that her dissolution was at hand, she called her children to her bedside, admonishing them to faith and love. It was a mother's true care which altereth and fadeth not, but liveth forever, even beyond the grave. On Friday afternoon, February 2nd, 1917, the soul took flight, returning to its maker.

So ended a useful life. Henceforth, the fragrant delights of spring, the open roads of summer, the mellow beneficence of autumn, the irresistible fascinations of this wonderful world will no longer charm her. She is safe in the arms of Jesus. Peace to her soul.

She is survived by her husband and her four children, Henry H. Diers, Mrs. W. A. Miller, Mrs. Louis Hagensick and Miss Alma Diers, and seven grandchildren, two children having preceded her in death. Three brothers and two sisters, living in Nebraska, also mourn her departure. The funeral was held on Tuesday, Rev. Athenstaedt officiating. Interment in the new cemetery.

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Added by Ken Johnson, 11/10/2024:

The headstones of her father and brothers all spell her birth surname as Schnieder. Photos of their headstones are available at FindaGrave