SAATHOFF, Hilke 1840-1930

SAATHOFF, GROOTE

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 4/24/2015 at 11:45:55

Died On Ninetieth Birthday

Mrs. John Saathoff Passed Away Thursday Night

Mrs. John Saathoff died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. E. H. Dirks, in Grundy Center Thursday night. Old age was the cause. Death came on Mrs. Saathoff's ninetieth birthday anniversary.

Mrs. Saathoff had been a continuous resident of Grundy county for 62 years, coming here from Shannon, Ill., in 1868. Since the death of her husband eleven years ago, she made her home with her daughter, Mrs. E. H. Dirks.

Mrs. Hilke Saathoff, nee Groote, was born in Critum, Germany, on Feb. 20, 1840. She was united in marriage with John Saathoff in 1866. Leaving their old fatherland, they came to this country in 1866 and settled near Shannon, Ill. Remaining there two years, they came to Colfax township, Grundy county, Iowa, where they purchased a farm, going through the hardships of pioneer life.

On this farm they lived until 1912, when they moved to Grundy Center. Here they were privileged in 1916 to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding day.

Her husband died in 1919, when she made her home with her only living child and daughter, Mrs. E. H. Dirks, of Grundy Center, where she was lovingly cared for until her end came Feb. 20, the day of her 90th birthday.

All who knew her admired her for her kind and winning disposition.

The funeral took place Monday from the home of her daughter. Services were held in the Presbyterian church in Colfax township, of which church she was a charter member and had retained her membership there until her death. Rev. J. E. Drake assisted by Dr. K. J. Stratemeier officiated.

She leaves to mourn her departure her daughter, Mrs. E. H. Dirks, two sisters, Mrs. Fred Zapf, of Lincoln township, and Harmina in Germany; three grandchildren, John S. Dirks, Mrs. Andrew Franken and C. H. Dirks; and six great-grandchildren.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 27 February 1930, pg 12

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Mrs. E. H. Dirks upon looking over some old files belonging to her mother, Mrs. John Saathoff, who died recently, found Mrs. Saathoff's original birth certificate written in German, which she was unable to translate and asked Mr. Dirks to do so. They found upon reading it that Mrs. Saathoff was born at exactly 10 minutes to 8 in the evening at the very same time up to the minute that she died 90 years later.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 24 April 1930, pg 9