Duerst, Geo. 1837 - 1917

DUERST, BREDER, DEYO, BARKOW, WHEELER, SLOAN, BOEDECKER

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 10/3/2021 at 17:51:27

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 26 July 1917. Strawberry Point columns.

Mr. Geo. Duerst was born April 8, 1837, at Steppach, Bavaria. Having finished the course in religious instruction, he was confirmed in the church of his home town. At the age of 15 he immigrated to America and landed in Pittsburgh on the 26th day of May, 1852, where he was engaged as a tinner. Three years later he came to Dubuque, at that time the door to Iowa. In 1858 he came to this country being one of the first settlers in our town. For eight years he was engaged in a general merchandise and hardware business and afterwards traveled for a wholesale house at Dubuque. In 1855, he was married at Dubuque to Miss Anna Mary Breder, whose union was blessed by nine children, three of which, however, preceded their father to the better land in infancy. Those surviving are Mrs. Mary Deyo, Strawberry Point; Mrs. Elizabeth Barkow, Long Beach, Cal.; Mrs. Rosine Wheeler, Strawberry Point; Mrs. Christine Sloan, Lowden, Iowa; John and Julius Duerst, Strawberry Point. On September 10, 1899, his beloved wife was taken from his side. In 1910 he entered into a second marriage with Mary Caroline Boedecker, of Dubuque, and with her he moved to Dubuque in 1912. After the death of his second wife, he returned to Strawberry Point. This was in June 1912 and he lived with his children until he departed from this life. Mr. Duerst was a true and faithful member of the Lutheran church. As soon as he came to Dubuque, in 1855, he joined the Lutheran Congregation at that place. Coming to this community, he was a very active member of the congregation at St. Sebald for 20 years. Not only did he take the greatest interest in his local church, but also in the welfare of the Lutheran church in general, especially the Iowa Synod. He always rejoiced in attending the services at that place even if the weather was inclement. In 1878 this congregation was organized, he became a charter member of the same, in fact it was in a large measure due to his efforts at that time a Lutheran church was established at this place of which he for many years was a leading member. Mr. Duerst had to suffer from a chronic disease for almost 30 years but he bore this burden as a Christian and when he was finally laid on his death bed, he was willing to follow the call of his master. For almost eight years he was confined to his bed. He departed from this life Wednesday morning, July 18, 1917, at 1:15, at the age of eighty years, 3 months and fifteen days. Funeral services occurred at the Lutheran church, Friday, at 2:00 o'clock, conducted by his former pastor, Rev. Graf, now of Dixon, Ill., who spoke in German, and by his present pastor, Rev. Fritschel, in English.