Barbara Ritchie Jahn (1858-1939)

JAHN, RITCHIE, LUTHMER, MESSERER, FRIDLEY

Posted By: Dorothy Gosse (email)
Date: 11/5/2001 at 19:30:59

Mrs. Barbara Jahn Died at Sumner (22 Sept 1858 - 22 May 1939)

The mother of Mrs. A. J. Luthmer, Robert, Harve and Fred Ritchie of Oelwein and Charles, of Monticello, died Monday at her home in Sumner and was buried there Thursday. The Sumner Gazette has the following obituary in this week's issue.

After several years of failing health, Mrs. Barbara Jahn, 80, a resident of this community the most of her life, passed peacefully away at her home on Columbia Avenue on Monday.

Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Evangelical Church with Rev. M. E. Shank in charge and interment was made in Murphy Cemetery.

Barbara Marie Messerer, daughter of Peter and Margaret Messerer was born at Aurora, Illinois September 22, 1858. Her parents came to Iowa while she was yet a young child, locating on a farm in Fremont township. Here she grew to womanhood.

She was united in marriage to Thomas Ritchie March 30, 1883 and established their home in Westgate, where her husband was engaged in business. To them were born six children, four sons and two daughters. Her husband predeceased her April 22, 1903, as also one daughter, Viola, at an early age.

On September 1, 190?, she was united in marriage to August Jahn of Sumner, making this their home where she has lived to the time of her death. Mr. Jahn preceded her in death June 1, 1930.

As a young girl she was converted and united with the Union Evangelical church. After her marriage to Mr. Ritchie, she with him joined the Murphy Church of the United Brethren in Christ. After her remarriage and removal to Sumner she, with her husband united with the Evangelical church.

The surviving members of her family are; Robert, Clara, wife of A. J. Luthmer, Harve and Fred all of Oelwein, and Charles of Monticello; seven grandchildren, six step sons, Carl and Emil of California, August of Idaho, Theodore of South Dakota, Otto of Naperville, Ill., Adolph of Emmetsburg; two brothers, Michael and George and one sister, Lydia, wife of George Fridley, all of Sumner.

from Oelwein Daily Register - May 1939