Alice Roberta "Bertie" Klopp 1881-1895

KLOPP

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 8/18/2010 at 23:24:44

Died – Bertie Klopp, Friday, April 19, 1895, aged 14 years. The funeral took place Sunday afternoon at the family residence on north Seventh street. Services were conducted by Rev. Evans of the Presbyterian church.

Bertie was the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Klopp and was a lovely little girl, intelligent and ambitious, and a general favorite with her numerous little friends who deeply deplore her final departure. Her little form was laid away surrounded by a wilderness of beautiful flowers arranged by sympathetic friends. The funeral was one of the largest ever held in Estherville, attesting in a marked degree the universal regard for the departed and sympathetic feelings for the fond parents and other relatives. All would like to say or do something to comfort the sorrowing family. Many of us have had like experiences and all must drink from the same bitter cup of sorrow. There is one comforting thought that will come to the grief stricken family and friends generally, when the mind reverts to her short life, which was one of purity and noble purposes. She has taken her departure where trouble is unknown and happiness perpetual.

“Lead Kindly Sight” was sung by Mr. Merle Trousdale and Miss Lillian Stanhope, and “Asleep in Jesus” and “Sometime We’ll Understand” by Mesdames Callwell and Delavan. A large concourse of friends attended the services and followed the remains to the cemetery. The floral offerings were abundant and beautiful. The grave was lined with white and decorated with evergreens and flowers. After the coffin had been lowered to its last repose, a chorus of school companions sang a beautiful tribute to their departed friend. The bereaved family has the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community. Bertie was a favorite, beloved by all who knew her, and our comfort in her separation from us is that our loss is her gain. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, April 24, 1895)

Bertie Klopp is Dead
At 2:35 Friday afternoon Bertie Klopp passed from this life. For days she lay in a delirium, but as the end came, that time when earthy and heaven are very close together, she recognized those about her and did what she could to make the parting less sad. Bertie would have been 14 years of age in June. She was a lovely girl – lovely in person and character – the idol of fond parents and the pet and pride of the home circle. Her taking away in the blossoming of a promising life seems hard indeed to understand. Services were held at the house, Rev. Evans saying a few words of consolation and Mmes. Delevan and Callwell singing a comforting hymn. The casket was covered with beautiful floral offering, but none more lovely than she who loved them so well in life. The interment took place at the west side cemetery. There in a grave lined with wild flowers and evergreen branches tenderly gathered by the hands of schoolmates, the body of little Bertie was laid to rest.
“
“ I never stand beside a tomb and see
The seal of death set on some well-loved face,
But that I think, “One more to welcome me
When I shall cross the intervening space
Between this land and that one over there.
One more to make the strange beyond seem fair.”
“And so to me there is no sting to death,
And so the grave has lost hits victory;
It is but crossing, bated breath
And white, set face, a little strip of sea.
To find the loved ones waiting on the shore,
More beautiful, more precious than before.”

(Emmet County Republican, Estherville, IA, April 25, 1895)

Died – On Friday afternoon, April 19, Alice Roberta, aged 13 years, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Klopp

Bertie was well known and a favorite among her companions. Her fatal illness, cerebral meningitis, was of brief duration and for the last ten days of life she was delirious most of the time.

The attendance at the funeral, which occurred Sunday at 3 o’clock p.m. was very large, and a long procession followed the remains to their last resting place. The family has the sincere sympathy of a multitude of friends; and the sudden passing away of one so young reminds us to be prepared for the “one event” that may as unexpectedly come to us all. (Northern Vindicator, Estherville, IA, April 25, 1895)