Marie Gienappe

GIENAPP, KURTH, BENTER, BURRACK, PIERCE

Posted By: Suellen Burrack (email)
Date: 2/13/2005 at 12:36:30

Delaware County Woman To Be 104 years Old Tomorrow,
from the Cedar RApids Gazette
by Robert S. Gearhart.
(Last name usually spelled Gienapp)

Hopkinton, Dec. 24, 1930--Mrs. Marie Gienappe today celebrated her 103rd Christmas day and tomorrow she will celebrate her 104th birday, Two happy days!

When Mrs. Gienappe was born, John Quincy Adams was President of the United States and the building of railroads had not yet begun!

Born in Germany, Mrs. Gienappe lived in that country for fifty-nine years. She has lived in Delaware County, Iowa forty-five years, but she was 59 years old when she came to this country so never mastered the English language.

Another unusual feature in the life of this woman, showing the sterling qualities leading to her longevity, is the fact that although she suffered a broken hip when she was 98 years old, she staged almost a complete recovery and today she gets about remarkably well.

"Spruces Up" for picture.
When this writer called a few days ago at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ben Kurth, a mile and half northwest of Hopkinton, where Mrs. Gienappe makes her home, he asked for permission to take a picture of the vernerable woman. Mrs. Gienappe immediately arose and walked to her bedroom to comb her hair, which was already immaculate! She has lost none of her native desire for neatness, none of her pride in personal appearance. When all was ready, Mrs Gienappe came into the front room, picked out a comfortable chair by the stove, prepared for the "ordeal" with the camera.

As far as known here, there is only one person in Iowa older than Mrs. Gienappe and strangely enough the difference in their ages is only one day. Henry Homewood of Shenandoah is 104 years old today. Mrs. Gienappe's birthday comes tomorrow.

Mrs. Gienappe, as Marie Frderick, was born in Sarnow, Germany. In 1851 she was married to John Gienappe and to this union three children were born; Fred Gienappe, now dead, John Gienappe of Laurel, Neb. and Mrs. Ben C. Kurth, who has made a home for her mother for nearly a half century. In 1881 Mrs. Gienappe's hundand died and two years later she lost her mother, who had reached the age of eighty-four. In the spring of 1884 Mrs. Gienappe and her three children, decided to come to America with a party of the Gienappe family. They arrived in the town of Delaware, Delaware County, Iwa in May 1884. Since that time Mrs. Gienappe has lived with Mr. and Mrs. Kurth near Hopkinton.

In recalling herlife in Germany she said that European weather is evener the year round than her in her adopted state. Although Germany is farther north the Iowa, she does not remember such extreme cold there.

Sight is Poor.
Fond of reading in former days, Mrs. Gienappe has been denied that pleasure for twenty years. when about eighty-five years of age her sight became so poor that reading became impossible. Continued aactivity and good hearing have enabled her to keep her time occupied. Every morning she arises, washes, and combs her own hair. One glance tells a visitor that Mrs. Gienappe is particular about her appearance. She still knows how her dresses should be made, and Mrs. Kurth, under her direction, makes them as ordered.

When the picture was taken Saturday, four generations of the family were in the home; Mrs. Gieanppe and her daughter, Mrs. Kurth, the first, two: Mrs Mary Kurth Benter, the third, and her sons, Kenneth and Irvin Benter, the fourth generation. Mrs Gienappe has thirteen grandchildren and a large number of great grandchildren, many of whom live near Hopkinton. One of hte yongest grandchildren is Alfred Pierce, Jr., of 111 South Thirtieth St. Cedar Rapids, son of Mr. and Mrs. A.B. Pierce.

Always keen and sprightly, Mrs. Gienappe's vivacity seems to be increased by the use of her mother tongue. After she had had her picture taken she was tanked in English and readily underanding, she replied in German: "Danka irh? Irh find willkumon" (You are welcome). And tomorrow her happiness will be complete when she gaily receives those who come to congratualte her on her 104th birthday

Post note: Mrs. Gienapp died January 14, 1931. a year after this was written.