BRANDENBURG, Ernestina (Schwandt) 1853-1929

BRANDENBURG, SCHWANDT, STINGLEY, WILLERT, KNOOP, THIELE, BOONE

Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 10/14/2012 at 19:28:35

Ernestine (Schwandt) Brandenburg – December 16, 1853 – June 15, 1929

Note** Her tombstone has her first name spelled Ernestina and birth year as 1852
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MRS. E. BRANDENBURG PASSES AWAY AT NORA SPRINGS

Mrs. Ernestine Brandenburg, nee Schwandt, was born December 16, 1853, in Stolzenfeldia, near the border of the Province of Brandenburg, Germany, and departed this life Saturday, June 15, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. F. Theile at Nora Springs, age 75 years, 5 months and 29 days.

In early infancy she was brought to the Lord in holy baptism, and during her girlhood days the influence of a Christian home and of Christian training and religious instruction engendered a conscious faith in her Savior.
At the age of fourteen years at her confirmation in the Lutheran church she confessed her faith and promised to remain faithful to her church and to her Lord and Savior, a promise which she has ever tried to live up to.

On December 13, 1878, she joined her life through marriage with that of Mr. Carl Brandenburg, and there resulted a union of mutual helpfulness of more than fifty years. It was last December when she and her husband were permitted to observe their fiftieth anniversary of their marriage and to thank God for the many blessings He had permitted them to enjoy during their long and happy married life.

Six children came to bless their home, of whom one, a son, preceded the mother, in infancy. Some three or four years after their marriage they left the land of their birth and came to America, coming first to Greene, then moving west of Marble Rock to a farm, which became the family home for many years. Twenty years ago they moved to Rockford, where they have since made their home.

Mother Brandenburg was one of the pioneers of this part of the country, who by their diligence and faithfulness have laid the foundations for our present progress. The difficulties and hardships, the privations and inconveniences they had to contend with are often not sufficiently appreciated when we think of the times of our parents and grandparents. We do well in calling some of this to mind as another of those early settlers passes out of our midst.

We do well also to remember her for her simple, humble piety and her firm adherence to the principles of her church and her Christian faith.

Those of her household will thankfully acknowledge that her work and example have properly directed their life’s course and that the wholesome influences that have preceded from her are beyond measure and will still continue after her departure. May we think of her as one whom god used as an instrument for good in accomplishing His purpose. May we not unduly sorrow over her passing away, but rejoice that God has granted her a portion with His saints.

During the last years the weakness of age became manifest, especially after an operation about two years ago. She was, however, still able to be up and about, until about a week ago, when on Monday she was taken to the home of her daughter at Nora Springs. She was entirely submissive to the will of her heavenly Father and ready to depart, praying only for god’s mercy and concerned lest her own would feel too severely the grief over her departure. Quietly and peaceably she fell asleep at 1:30 o’clock on Saturday afternoon, trusting in the merit of her Savior.

She is survived by her husband and by her five daughters, all living within this territory; Mrs. Amelia Stingley; Mrs. Minnie Willert; Mrs. Helena Knoop; Mrs. Leona Thiele and Mrs. Meta Boone, who with eight grandchildren and a host of friends and acquaintances sincerely mourn her passing away.

The funeral was held Monday in the Lutheran church at Rockford, Iowa, conducted by Rev. F. H. Voelker, pastor of the Lutheran Church at Greene. Interment in Riverside Cemetery at Rockford.

The Iowa Recorder, Wednesday June 19, 1929