GEERDES, Hilka 1858-1930

GEERDES, PRIMUS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 5/7/2015 at 13:07:20

Wife Joined Husband Who Died 7 Wks. Ago

Mrs. A. G. Geerdes Passed Away Wednesday After Short Illness

Mrs. A. G. Geerdes who had been a resident of Grundy County for 66 years died at her home in Wellsburg, Wednesday, July 16th, following an illness covering a period of only a few days. Her husband who had been her daily companion for more than fifty years had passed away but seven weeks ago. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Landsiedel and Rev. H. C. Bode were held at the Wellsburg residence Saturday afternoon. Interment was in the family lot in the Bode church cemetery.

The following obituary was prepared by the deceased's pastor and read at the church service:
Hilka Geerdes, nee Primus, was born March 12, 1858, in Stephenson county, Illinois. At the age of six years, in 1864, she came with her parents to Iowa where, on a farm three miles west of Wellsburg, she grew up to womanhood. She was joined in holy wedlock with Argent Geerdes, May 15, 1879. God blessed their union with six children, four sons and two daughters, of whom 2 sons and one daughter preceded her in death. Twenty two years ago they left the farm moving to Wellsburg to spend their declining years in peace and comfort. Here they were granted to share life's joys and sorrow together, until the almighty and just God, who never makes a mistake, in his Wise Providence, took from her side her faithful companion seven weeks ago.

The departure of her faithful companion was for her serious shock. During the suffering of her deceased husband, due to much worrying and care, her own health became impaired. All this accompanied by heart trouble seemed to be the direct cause of her death. At times when overcome by physical fatigue she repeatedly would say, "My end will soon be here, for this world is nothing to me any more. Oh, what a pleasure that one can possess Jesus, who loves us so intensely!"

As a child she was brought up under Christian influence in a Christian home, and later learned to know, to love, and to follow her savior. Her favored topic about which she delighted to talk were spiritual things, heaven and eternity. Like Christian mother she set a Christian example for her children and fervently and incessantly prayed that her prayers would bring them before God's throne. May this not have been in vain and may the Lord graciously fulfill her prayers.

No one ever surmised that the Lord so soon would call her home. A few days before she passed away her condition seemed to be hopeful. In spite of all the loving care by her children and all medical assistance rendered our heavenly Father unexpectedly called her to her spiritual. When an hour before her departure she was asked, if the blood of Jesus was still her comfort in life and in death. She joyfully responded, "that is my only comfort in life and in death." Thus it pleased the Lord in his wisdom to conclude her earthly pilgrimage last Wednesday, July 16, at 6:15 p.m. She reached the age of 72 years, 4 months and 4 days. The Lord of life doth comfort the bereaved children like a mother does comfort her own for He hath said, "I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you." May he indelibly inscribe in their heart and soul her beloved memory, which may bear fruit unto eternal life. Her untimely loss is mourned by her three surviving children: George Geerdes of Waterloo, Iowa, Henry Geerdes of Wellsburg, and Mrs. Greitje Isebrand of George, Iowa, and one brother, Ben Primus of Wellsburg. The congregation also of which she has been a faithful member since 1925, and the Ladies Aid whose fellowship she always enjoyed immensely will feel her loss deeply as will a large circle of friends and acquaintances. "Lord teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

The pallbearers were the four Geerdes brothers and the two surviving sons, George and Henry.

Relatives and friends from a distance who attended the funeral services were: Mr and Mrs. George Geerdes and daughter, Hilda, Waterloo; Mr. and Mrs. J. Swiers and Mrs. Breeze, Britt; Misses Minnie and Nettie Drake, Forreston, Illinois; Mr. and Mrs. Ben Isebrands, Titonka, Mr. and Mrs. Gratus Riekena, Woden; Mr. and Mrs. Meint Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. Anko Janssen, and Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Meyer, Marshalltown; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Janssen, Eldora; Mr. and Mrs. Ben Hayenga, Ackley; Mrs. Ruppelt and daughter, Loretta, Steamboat Rock; Mrs. Frikken, Mrs. Luken, and Mrs. Kruger, Grundy Center, and M. Haack and Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Haack, Parkersburg.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 24 July 1930, pg 12