ENGELKES, Antje C. 1865-1929

ENGELKES, FREESE

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 5/5/2015 at 19:24:01

Early Grundy Resident Dies Very Suddenly

Mrs. H. W. Engelkes Passed Away at Parkersburg
(By Rev. K. J. Stratemeier)

In the midst of the final preparation for the festive observance of the 25th anniversary of the First German Presbyterian church of Grundy Center, came the sad news of the sudden departure of Mrs. H. W. Engelkes. If ever, we felt at this time the weight of the paradoxical statement of the apostle to "Rejoice with those that rejoice; weep with them that weep." (Rom. 12:15)

Mrs. Antje Engelkes, nee Freese, was born Dec. 11, 1865, at Petkum, Eastfriesland, Germany. She came to America in 1872. On April 9th, 1883, she was united in marriage to H. W. Engelkes. Eight years were spent on a farm in this vicinity. Then the family moved to Grundy Center and has lived here for 38 years.

The spirit of Martha moved heart and hand of Mrs. Engelkes to constant needs of loving service and she exhausted herself in doing good unto others. All those entering her house profited by her thoughtfulness and readiness to show hospitality. Husband and children as all who knew her will feel immensely bereft because of the absence of her deeds of kindness.

Mrs. Engelkes was ill for some time and under special physician's care. No one surmised however that her end would come so soon. The suddenness of her demise on Thursday, Nov. 14, 1929, at one o'clock startled all. She attained unto the age of 63 years, 11 months and 3 days. She leaves to mourn her earthly departure her grief stricken husband, H. W. Engelkes; the children, Engelke Engelkes, Mrs. Joe Haack, Cornelius Engelkes, Mrs. Henry Dirks, Mrs. Wm. Kruse, Mrs. Wm. Price, Mrs. James Mooney; three brothers, Henry Freese, of Stout, John Freese of Pipestone, Minn, and Nick Freese, of Dike; two sisters, Mrs. Jacob DeBoer, Rock Rapids, Iowa, and Mrs. L. E. Pennington, of Seattle, Wash., 13 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

On September 13, 1908, Mrs. Engelkes united with the First German Presbyterian church, of which she was a member at the time of her death. Funeral services were held Monday, Nov. 18th, with the ministers Rev. J. E. Drake, D. D., and Rev. K. J. Stratemeier, Th. D., officiating and speaking words of instruction and comfort based upon John 11:28 and Isaiah 66:13. A vast multitude moved in the funeral procession and crowded the church to capacity. Final commitment services were held at the Colfax township cemetery.

Relatives from a distance at the funeral services were Mr. and Mrs. Jake DeBoer, Little Rock; Mr. and Mrs. Leo Pennington, Longview, Wash.; Mr. and Mrs. John Freese, Pipestone; Mr. and Mrs. E. O. Engelkes, Sibley; Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Freese, Sibley; Mrs. Hote Engelkes and son, Rushmore, Minn.; Miss Grace Freese, Sibley.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 21 November 1929, pg 1