MaryKatherine Kauten Schmit (1842-1911)

KAUTEN, SCHMIT, DURIN, HICKEY, GRAFF, SCHAFER, WATRIN

Posted By: Dorothy Gosse (email)
Date: 1/18/2008 at 11:40:25

Mary Katherine Kauten was born in the village of Rommel in Belgium on February 13, 1842. During her childhood she moved with her parents to Candorf in Luxemburg, where her mother died in 1860 leaving her to help her father in the care of a family of six children, she being eldest.

In 1866 the family emigrated to America settling in Dubuque where on November 21, 1866 she was united in marriage to J. P. Schmit in the Catholic church at Dubuque. They continued to reside in Dubuque until June 1869 when they moved to a farm about 5 miles north of Fairbank where they have resided since. In 1880 her father came to spend his last days with her and after giving him all the care that loving daughter could give, he died in April 1880.

She is survived by her husband and nine children; Peter of Graettinger, Iowa, Tony at home, John of Motley, Minnesota, Phillip of Pillanger, Minnesota, Mrs. T. J. Durin, Mrs. P. J. Hickey of Fairbank and Mary, Kate and Lizzie at home. Also by her sisters Mrs. Nick Graff and Mrs. Nick Schafer of Oelwein and two brothers, Peter of Alta Vista and John near Oelwein, she being preceded in death by one sister, Mrs. J. Watrin and two brothers, Corneilus and Dominic.

Mrs. Schmit's health began failing last June and although all that medical skill and loving hands could do, was done, she gradually failed, being confined to her bed five weeks before her death which occurred on February 10, 1911, when she peacefully fell asleep surrounded by her husband and nine children. She was a patient sufferer and died fortified by the last sacraments of the Catholic church and by the strong faith in God by which she had lived.

Her funeral took place on Monday, February 13 from the Immaculate Conception at Fairbank, Rev. Wm. Donahue, pastor officiating. The remains being laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery.

Oelwein Daily Register - February 21, 1911