Kill, Mary Jane (Zentz) 1847 - 1923

KILL, ZENTZ, OTTO, BEACH, MARISKE

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 12/17/2021 at 11:56:58

Elkade Register, Thur., 08 Mar. 1923.

Mrs. Mary Jane Kill, a pioneer and respected resident of Boardman township passed from time to eternity at her old home at 10:40 Friday evening at the age of 75 years, 9 months and 20 days.

Mary Jane Zentz, daughter of John and Marie (Otto) Zentz, was born in Hollidaysburg, Blair County, Penn., on May 12, 1847, being the oldest of a family of eleven children, eight boys and 3 girls. At an early age, she with her parents, moved to the ill-fated city of Johnstown, Penn. This was her home until eleven years of age, when the family came west by train to Dunleith, Ill., thence up the Mississippi aboard the Gray Eagle to Cassville, Wis. Here the family entered pioneer life in the western territory and here she grew to womanhood and bore her share with the early settlers. On Nov. 18, 1862, she was married to Peter Kill in Glen Haven, Wis., and soon after journeyed to Grundy County, Iowa, seeking a new home in the wild west. In 1865 they came to Clayton County to make their home, residing four years in Read township on land owned by the late Thomas Thompson. In the year 1869 they purchased the old homestead from Edward Reynolds, where they lived until their deaths. To this union were born six children: Mrs. W. S. Beach and Mrs. F. F. Mariske of Waterville, Minn., Lottie, of Minneapolis, John and Cora at home, and Clara M., who passed away Nov. 23, 1897, and the husband Dec. 25, 1905. She is also survived by sixteen grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

When a young girl she was baptized and united with the Lutheran church and its teachings were manifested in her daily life. She loved children, especially boys. It was she who roasted the frozen pig tails which the school boys snapped from the porkers packed in the "old cotten tent," the terminus of the Iowa Eastern R. R. in the early 70's. It was she who warmed and sheltered the wayfarer who waited the coming of the uncertain trains on the old narrow gauge. It was she who never refused food to the hungry tramp that begged at her door. Here is the index of her real self - unselfish, kind hearted and sympathetic.

She has been in failing health for five years and a constant sufferer for more than a year. She was given untiring loving care but to no avail. Her passing marks the close of an energetic, active life. She is mourned by her children, two sisters and one brother.

Funeral services were held Tuesday March 6, at 2:00 o'clock in the afternoon at the old home that she loved so well, conducted by Rev. Warner of the Congregational church, assisted by Miss Ella Wilke and the Mesdames Stemmer and Griebel, who rendered three appropriate duets. The pall bearers were Messrs. Wm. Becker, F. G. Leibrock, Michael Miller, John Bock, Charles Meder and A. A. Dohrer.

Those from away in attendance at the funeral were Mrs. F. F. Mariska, Waterville, Minn., and Lottie, of Minneapolis. Two sisters were ill and unable to attend, and Mrs. W. S. Beach who had recently sustained a fractured arm was also unable to attend. A good woman has been called from her home, from her family and from the community. May she rest in peace.