ABELS, Elske 1853-1931

ABELS, GREENFIELD

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 9/1/2015 at 22:25:06

Mrs. Jacob Abels Dead After A Long Illness

Funeral Services Were Held at German Presbyterian Church Monday

Mrs. Jacob Abels passed away at her home in Grundy Center last Saturday after a long illness.

Funeral services were held at the German Presbyterian church in Grundy Center Monday afternoon. The local pastor, Rev. K. J. Stratemeier, had charge of the services. Rev. J. E. Drake preached the English sermon, taking for his text Romans 5:3-5. Rev. Stratemeier spoke in the German language on "The Believer's Confidence in God" as expressed in Psalm 68:21. Mrs. Wm. Kruse and Mrs. H. Dirks rendered a number of consoling selections. Burial was by the side of the husband in the Drake church cemetery.

Relatives and friends from a distance present at the service were Mr. and Mrs. George Rademaker and daughter Minnie and Mr. and Mrs. Jake Miller of Lanark, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Klock and son Elwood of Madison, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. Meno Hemmen, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Arends, Mr. and Mrs. Willie Hemmen, Mr. and Mrs. Dick Hemmen, Mrs. Henry Greenfield and daughter Jennie and son, Eilt, and Mrs. Fred Welp, all of Kamrar; Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Laird and daughter Margaret, Mrs. John Douglas, Mrs. Harry Dodd and Mr. Herman Abels of Alden; and Mr. and Mrs. George Greenfield of Spooner, Wis.

Obituary
(By Rev. K. J. Stratemeier)

Mrs. Jacob Abels, nee Elske Greenfield, was born March 11, 1853, at Stapelmoor, Eastfriesland, Germany. She came to this country when fourteen years old. June 11, 1871, she was united in marriage to Mr. Jacob Abels, a veteran of the Civil War. The ceremony was performed by Rev. J. Bantly at Freeport, Ill. In 1895 they came to Grundy county, locating on a farm southwest of Grundy Center. After 30 years of married life death came to call the husband from her side. He passed away Feb. 27, 1902. Two years later the family left the farm to move to Grundy Center.

Mrs. Abels' health had been failing for some time and she grew gradually weaker. For some months a faithful nurse ministered to her needs and loving children and relatives bestowed upon her thoughtful care and affection. She was conscious until a day before her death and gratefully received the comforting ministry of the Word of God. Confessing a living faith in her Savior, she passed on as we confidently hope into the rest that remaineth for the people of God on Thursday, October 29, 1931, attaining unto the age of 78 years, 7 months and 18 days. One daughter, Mrs. Reka Moring, preceded her in death in 1921. There remain to mourn her departure the children: Mrs. Anna Rademacher, Lanark, Ill., Mrs. Mattie Fonken, Mrs. Carrie Abels, Henry, Herman, John Abels, Mrs. Maggie Kintzinger, Jennie, who resided with her, all of Grundy Center, Mrs. Bertha Klock, Madison, Wis., Mrs. Lucy Hemmen, Kamrar, Iowa, one sister-in-law, Mrs. Gertie Greenfield, Waters, Minn., one brother-in-law, Herman Wentzel, Marion, S. D., 36 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, many other relatives and friends.

When the First German Presbyterian church of Grundy Center was organized in 1904 Mrs. J. Abels became one of its charter members and throughout these years maintained a loyal relationship to this church. She was a faithful member also of the Ladies' Aid. As long as her condition permitted it she occupied her pew at the church services. Faith to her was a living experience and she praised the grace of God that permitted her to look upon Christ as her Redeemer.

Sentiment
I miss you, Mother, since you've gone
To your abiding place;
The house where you have lived so long
Seems strange without your face.

You loved your God, you loved mankind
Loved ones to you were dear;
Our interests were your daily thought;
You lived for others here.

Your passing forms a stronger bond
With all who loved you here;
It draws us to your heavenly home
And makes it seem so near.
--Mrs. James F. Vernon

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 5 November 1931, pg 6