DETERS, Henry 1884-1942

DETERS, GEIKEN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 8/5/2010 at 22:12:44

ACCIDENT RESULTS IN DEATH OF H. E. DETERS

Automobile in Which He Was Riding, Struck at R. R. Crossing.

Henry E. Deters was born Nov. 8,1884 in German township, Grundy county, and passed away on Friday morning, Feb. 13, 1942 at the Lutheran hospital, at Hampton, Iowa, at the age of 57 years, 3 months and 5 days. In 1909, he was married to Miss Katie Geiken, and their union was blessed with four children, two sons and two daughters.

He lived practically always in the neighborhood of Ackley, in Franklin, Grundy, Butler and Hardin counties, with the exception of three years, from 1915 to 1917 inclusive, during which time they farmed near Dexter, Minnesota. Until March 1941 they lived on the farm, when they retired and moved to Ackley.

Mr. Deters was engaged in selling the McNess products, having the agency in parts of both Franklin and Butler counties. Thursday, Feb. 12, he was on one of his routes about two miles north of Geneva, Iowa, when in crossing the railroad track, his car was struck by a M. & St. L. freight train, completely demolishing the vehicle. The train crew brought him at once to the hospital in Hampton, where he received immediate emergency care. But the injuries received in the impact were of such a severe nature that he passed away at about 10 o'clock Friday morning.

The departed made confession of his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ in May, 1913, and became a member of the West Friesland Presbyterian church. A little more than a year ago he was elected,and ordained as an elder. He was well versed in the history of many of our churches. He was a kind father and husband and a good neighbor. We shall greatly miss him from our fellowship. The funeral services were conducted by the Pastor Henry Johnson on Monday afternoon, Feb. 16, at the home and in the church, which was filled with many relatives and friends to pay their last respect to the departed. Burial was made in the family lot of the cemetery.

His unexpected and sudden departure is mourned by his grief stricken widow, his children: Mrs. Gertrude Fritz, Mrs. Anna Kruse, Henry and an adopted son Jackie, all of Ackley and Richard of Shell Rock, Iowa, seven grand-children, one brother Rev. Herman Deters of Pershing, Missouri, four sisters, Mrs. Henrietta Harken, Clarksville, Ia., Mrs. Gertrude Harken and Mrs. Hannah Harken, both of Aplington, and Mrs. Florence Mennen, Hampton, Ia.

One sister, Mrs. Alma Geiken and one young brother preceded him in death, his step-father Harm Kuper, three step-brothers and one step-sister, all of Ackley.

-- Ackley World Journal, 26 February 1942, pg 1