ATHENSTADT, Emma 1871-1927

ATHENSTADT

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 4/13/2015 at 08:21:08

Mrs. Athenstadt Died Tuesday Morning

This community was shocked Tuesday morning when they learned of the death of Mrs. Athenstadt, wife of Rev. Athenstadt, pastor of the Lutheran church here. Death came quite suddenly about five o'clock in the morning. Mrs. Athenstadt had been ill since Christmas from heart trouble and she was confined to her bed much of the time. While her health seemed to be failing gradually, her condition was not believed to be of a serious enough nature to cause immediate alarm to the family and friends.

Mrs. Athenstadt would have been 56 years old had she lived until next August. The family came to Holland about five years ago, shortly following an extended visit to their old home in Germany. Prior to their trip to Germany the family lived for many years at Clayton, Iowa, where Rev. Athenstadt served as pastor. During the time she resided here Mrs. Athenstadt won the respect and love of those with whom she came in contact in her home life and her church work. The undivided sympathy of the entire community goes out to the bereaved husband and daughter.

Funeral services will be held at the Lutheran church in Holland Thursday afternoon. Burial will be in the Holland cemetery.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 24 March 1927, pg 3

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Obituary of Mrs. Rev. Athenstadt

Emma Athenstadt, nee Miller, was born Aug. 27, 1871, in Berlin, Germany. At the age of 10 years she lost her mother and at 16 her father. She with her brother and sister were taken in by relatives and educated.

Feeling a desire to become a deaconess and with the consent of her guardian, she entered the Paul Gerhardt Deaconess Institution in Berlin and in which for nearly nine years she devoted her talents and strength to the sick orphan children. In 1902 she went to South Africa where she was joined in marriage to Rev. Athenstadt, who was a mission. This union was blessed with one daughter, Ursula, who is in Coe college at present.

For a number of years she aided her husband in his missionary duties and then came to this country and took charge of a church in Clayton Center, Iowa. Visiting the country of their birth for a while, they returned to this country and took charge of the church in Holland.

About four months previous to her death her health failed due to a complication of ailments, especially heart trouble. Regardless of all medical care, death called her on the morning of March 22 at the age of 55 years and 6 months. Mrs. Athenstadt was a woman of many attainments and with her modesty of character and beauty of soul she won the respect of all who knew her.

Funeral services were conducted from the home and church March 24th, Rev. J. E. Drake officiating. He preached the sermon from Phil. 1,24. He was assisted by other neighboring minister. A large number attended.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 31 March 1927, pg 3