Bertha A. Linke, 1845-1931

LINKE

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 2/20/2009 at 18:10:23

MRS. WM. LINKE EARLY SETTLER HERE, CALLED

Came to Estherville in 1884--Charter Member of Immanuel Congregation

Mrs. Bertha Augusta Linke, widow of William Linke, and an early settler of Estherville passed away at her home last Wednesday afternoon [Oct. 28, 1931]. Mrs. Linke was 86 years old and had been in failing health for a number of years. Her daughter Mary and son Paul made their home with her and every care possible was given the frail woman.

Mrs. Linke was born on July 3, 1845 at Grozfreidrich, Brandenburg, Germany. She grew to womanhood there and was confirmed in the Lutheran church. On April first, 1875 she was married to William Linke. In 1882, Mr. Linke came to America and Estherville and two years later sent for his wife and four children. This has been the home of the family in years following. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Linke, one daughter, Bertha, died as a child of two, and a son Frank, passed away at the age of twenty-eight.

Mr. and Mrs. Linke were charter members of the German Lutheran congregation of this community and Mrs. Linke is the last to survive of this group. The worthy couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary together in 1925 but the husband passed away three years later.

Surviving Mrs. Linke are her children, Mrs. William Ziemer of Browns Valley, Minn., Mrs. Frank Ziemer of Fairmont, Mrs. John Rost of Bovey, Minn., Miss Mary and Paul of Estherville, twenty-five grandchildren and twenty-three great grandchildren.

Burial services were held Saturday afternoon from the Immanuel Lutheran church, with the pastor Rev. Otis Lang officiating.

Contributed by: Ruth Hackett. Source: Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa; November 4, 1931.