SAATHOFF, Albert 1849-1928

SAATHOFF, JANSSEN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 4/27/2015 at 06:42:45

Albert Saathoff Grundy Pioneer Dies Suddenly

Was Staying At Daughter's Home Where He Passed Away Early Tuesday Morning

Found Dead In Bed When Family Arose

Mrs. Saathoff Passed Away August 15th, Preceding Her Husband Four Weeks

Albert Saathoff, a well-known resident of this city, and one of the early residents of Grundy county, passed away very suddenly and unexpectedly some time after midnight on Tuesday morning of this week (Sept. 11th, 1928), at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Ben VanDeest, aged 79 years.

Since the death of his wife, four weeks ago lacking one day, Mr. Saathoff had been staying at the home of his daughter. He had been a sufferer with dropsy for a number of years, but his condition was not regarded as extremely serious. He retired as usual the evening before and when the family arose in the morning the daughter when she went to his room about 6 o'clock discovered that he had passed away during the night, or early morning.

His son, Rev. John Saathoff, of West Liberty, had come Monday evening to visit his father and to him his death was as sudden a shock as to the other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at one o'clock Friday afternoon at Mr. Saathoff's home in this city, and interment will be at the Drake cemetery.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 13 September 1928, pg 1

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Albert Saathoff was born July 23, 1849, at Pogum, Ostfriesland, Germany. April 9, 1876, he was united in marriage to Miss Janna Janssen. In 1881 they came to America and settled in Grundy county. They lived in Grundy Center for the last twenty years.

Of the seven children born into the home, two passed away in earliest infancy. Three daughters, Bertha, Mrs. Cornelius Dirks and Mrs. John Hempen, died in maturer years. One daughter and one son survive.

The deceased's departure followed within the brief space of a month after that of his wife. Mrs. Saathoff died Aug. 15, 1928. The care for her had kept him up. Bereft of her, however, the infirmities of age made themselves quickly felt. The last weeks were spent at the home of his daughter, Mrs. B. VanDeest, northwest of town. At times he seemed to rally, but the end came quicker than expected. On Tuesday morning, September 11th, 1928, his life ebbed out in peaceful slumber. He attained unto the age of 79 years, 1 month and 19 days. His departure is mourned by two sisters, Mrs. L. Schroeder, of Okeene, Okla., and Mrs. K. Theerman, of this city; one daughter, Mr. B. VanDeest; one son, the Rev. John Saathoff, pastor of the Presbyterian church at West Liberty, Iowa, and many other relatives and friends.

The departed father was an eager hearer of God's Word. Formerly a member of the Holland Presbyterian church, he served that congregation a number of years as deacon. In 1908 he joined the First German Presbyterian church of Grundy Center and served it for some years as trustee and treasurer. His life was closely linked up to that of the congregation. He will be long remembered as father, friend, neighbor and citizen.

Funeral services were held Friday, September 14th, with services at the house and the German Presbyterian church on which occasion the pastors J. E. Drake, D. D., and K. J. Stratemeier, Th. D., spoke words of comfort and instruction. Final commitment services were held at the Colfax township cemetery.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 20 September 1928, pg 6