Kuempel, Marie "Grandma" 1821 - 1898

KUEMPEL, RUEGNITZ

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 5/13/2022 at 20:42:44

Elkader Register, Thur., 15 Sept. 1898. Clayton column.

The funeral of Grandma Kuempel, who died Sept. 5th, 1898, took place last Wednesday afternoon, and was attended by scores of her friends from far and near. Her remains were laid to rest in the family lot in the Clayton cemetery. The floral offerings were many and the grave was robbed of its grimness by a lining of flowers and evergreens. Rev. Seifert delivered a beautiful sermon at the grave commending her spirit to the God who gave it.

Deceased was born in Oestring Baden, Germany, May 27, 1821. She resided with her parents until 1847 when she emigrated to America, going via New Orleans, thence up the Mississippi river landing at Galena, Ill., in the same year. She was married Sept. 22nd, 1849, in that city, to Christian H. Kuempel, where she resided with her husband till the spring of 1855, when she came to Clayton in which place she continued to reside till the date of her death. Eight children came to bless this happy union, of which five survive with the father. They are John C., Mrs. Carolina Ruegnitz, Henry, George and Edward.

We cannot find words that would rightly express our sorrow and sympathy for the beloved ones that survive to mourn the loss of "Mother", who suffered all most her life time for those that she loved and when our Almighty Father summoned her home with the words "Well Done, Mother, Come", she quietly and peacefully slumbered into the eternal rest so richly deserved by her. Enough cannot be said of the good deeds done by her. The sick would await her coming as they would the good Samaritan, her kind words cheered the afflicted and brought courage to the well. Her relatives and friends will surely miss her for her many virtues and as we stood by the grave and looked for the last time upon the loved ones, O, what an ordeal. Only those who have had experience can extend real sympathy at such a time. Our heartfelt sympathy is with those who mourn.

Dearest Mother, thou hast left us,
We, thy loss most deeply feel,
But tis God who hath bereft us,
And He can all our sorrows heal.

O, silent grave to thee we trust
This precious part of earthly dust.
Guard it safe, O sacred tomb,
Until we, her children, ask for room.

(Note: WPA records indicate Marie Kuempel, 1821 - 03 Sept. 1898, buried in Clayton cemetery. See also the IGPP photo of the gravestone.)