JOHNSON, Gretje 1853-1931

JOHNSON, WILTFANG

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 8/30/2015 at 10:30:21

Mrs. Harm Johnson Dead

Mrs. Harm Johnson died at her home in Grundy Center Tuesday. She had been in poor health for several years but was confined to her bed only during the week prior to her death. Old age, a general breakdown and a lung affliction were the cause. She had been a sufferer from rheumatism for thirty years and during all of that time she found it difficult to attend to her household duties.

Funeral services will be held at the home at 1:30 this afternoon and later at the German Presbyterian church with Rev. K. J. Stratemeier in charge. Burial will be by the side of the husband in the Grundy Center cemetery. The husband died six years ago.

Mrs. Johnson was born in Eastfriesland, Germany. She was 78 years old on the 23rd of last January. She grew to womanhood in Germany and was married there. She came to this country with her family in 1883. They lived for eleven years on a farm near Parkersburg. In 1894 the family moved to Grundy Center.

There were ten children in the family. Six of them are living. They are Mrs. Ed Slifer of Grundy Center, Henry from Sumner, John from Brownsdale, Minn., George from Stout, and Harry and Louis who had been making their home with the mother.

Those from a distance who are here for the funeral are Henry and family, John, John Freese and children from Pipestone, Minn., John Johnson from George, and Mrs. Ed Thieler from Linn Grove.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 6 August 1931, pg 6

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Obituary of Mrs. Harm Johnson
(By Rev. K. J. Stratemeier)

Mrs. Harm Johnson, her maiden name being Gretje Wiltfang, was born in Campen, Eastfriesland, Germany, January 23, 1853. In June, 1873, she joined in marriage Mr. Harm R. Johnson, of Petkum, Germany. Together they emigrated to this country ten years later, residing at first near Parkersburg after which they located on a farm near Grundy Center, and because of Mrs. Johnson's condition they moved to Grundy Center in 1912.

Mrs. Johnson had been an invalid for some years. Great bereavement came into her life when her husband was taken from her through death Mar. 24, 1924, but she spent the remainder of her life sojourning according to the Apostle's teaching, "a widow indeed, that hath her hope set on God." I Tim. 5:5. She united with the First German Presbyterian church of Grundy Center on confession of faith Aug. 15th, 1913. She died declaring her readiness to meet with her Lord.

She leaves to mourn her departure one sister, Mrs. J. Fluth of Orange City, Iowa; one daughter, Mrs. Ed. Slifer, and five sons, Henry, John, Harry, George and Louis. During the last week of her life she was confined to her bed and suffered increased pain, but was conscious all the while. A little after nine o'clock on Monday evening, August 3rd, 1931, death came to release her of her suffering and set her spirit free. She attained unto the age of 78 years, 6 months and 10 days.

Funeral services took place Thursday, August 6. Rev. K. J. Stratemeier officiated, preaching in the English language on II Tim. 1:12 and in the German language on John 17:3. Interment was made in the Grundy Center cemetery.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 13 August 1931, pg 6