Elvers, Mary (Dittmer) 1870 - 1923

ELVERS, DITTMER, WINKLER, BRINKHAUS, STEMMER

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 12/20/2021 at 17:19:03

Elkader Register, Thur., 19 Apr. 1923.

The subject of this sketch, Mrs. Mary Elvers, nee Dittmer, was born in Cox Creek Twp., Clayton county, Iowa, on Sept. 23rd, 1870, as the youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Dittmer. The days of her childhood and youth were spent on the home farm until the day of her marriage, which occurred on the 24th day of February, 1892, when she became the wife and companion for life of Mr. Adolph Elvers. The young couple began housekeeping on a farm adjoining the old homestead, but after four years sold the place and moved on a farm near Osborne, which was to be their home for the next 24 years.

Six children were born to this union: Otto, Leo, who died at the age of 14 months, Alvina, Vallie, Arthur and Adolph Junior.

In the year 1905 Mr. and Mrs. Elvers made a trip across the Atlantic for a visit with Mr. Elver's people, very much enjoying the four months sojourn. In December 1920 they sold their farm and moved to Elkader, no doubt with the intention of getting a little more comfort out of life after the many years of steady and hard work on the farm. Mrs. Elvers had always enjoyed comparatively good heath until the eighth day of February of this year, when she suffered considerable pain, caused by some obstruction of the bowels. Other attacks followed until it was finally deemed necessary to perform an operation in order to remove the cause of the trouble. Mrs. Elvers realized the serious nature of her sickness and was therefore willing to submit to an operation, which was performed on Monday, April 9th, at Lenth's Hospital. The family and those familiar with the condition of the patient realized that the chances for recovery were against her, but love would not give up hopes as long as there was life. And there were times when it seemed as though she might yet be spared for those who loved and needed her. All that medical skill and tender care by trained nurses could do, was surely done to prolong, if possible, the precious life; but her God and Creator, in Whom she trusted with a childlike faith, had ordained it otherwise. In His never-failing wisdom He deemed it expedient to call His child home out of this world of sorrow and suffering on Tuesday, April 17th, 1923, at about nine o'clock in the morning at the age of 52 years, 6 months and 24 days. All members of the family and near relatives were at her bedside to bid farewell, not as to a beloved gone forever, but as to a loved one only gone before.

Her departure out of this world is mourned by the husband to whom she had been a faithful companion and helpmate in every sense of the word, and her five children: Otto Elvers and Mrs. Alvina Winkler of Cox Creek Twp., Vallie, who is attending College at Menomonee, Wis., and the twins, Arthur and Adolph Jr., at home. She also leaves three grandchildren, Dale and Kenneth Elvers and Naomi Winkler, other relatives and a host of friends and neighbors.

With Mrs. Elvers the last surviving member of the Peter Dittmer family has passed away. A sister, Mrs. Anna Brinkhaus, died in 1881. In 1891, the father, Peter Dittmer, passed away; Mrs. Lizzie Stemmer, a sister, died October 8th, 1909; Martin Dittmer, a brother, Nov. 14th, 1914, Magdalena Dittmer, the mother, June 4th, 1919, at the age of 95 years; Herman Dittmer, a brother, Feb. 20th, 1923.

She was a member of the Royal Neighbors and Eastern Star; a faithful member of the Evangelical Church and Vice President of the Frauen-Verein. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon, April 20, at 1:30 at the house and 2 o'clock in the Evang. church, with her pastor, C. H. Frane, officiating. Interment will be made in the East Side Cemetery.