WILTS, Gratus 1888-1965

WILTS, HARMS, HEIKENS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 9/29/2015 at 20:28:33

Funeral Saturday At Steamboat For Gratus Wilts, 76

Funeral services for Gratus Wilts were held Saturday afternoon at 1:00 o'clock at the family home near Steamboat Rock and at 1:30 p.m. at the East Friesland Presbyterian church, Rev. Lee Ferro was officiating clergyman. Interment was made in the cemetery adjoining the church.

Music was furnished by a ladies duet, Mrs. Ronald Fisher and Mrs. Leonard Oelmann. Mrs. Virgil Heetland was organist. Flower attendants were Mrs. Abe H. Jaspers and Mrs. Carl Reiter. Pall bearers were Donald Heikens, Evert Heikens, Julius H. Heikens, Abe H. Wilts and Otto Wilts.

Mr. Wilts was born on September 26, 1888 in Clay township in Hardin county. He was the son of Otto Wilts and Fentje Harms Wilts. He spent his entire life on the same farm.

On February 22, 1912 he was united in holy wedlock to Miss Margaret Heikens. They farmed on the same farm in Clay township for fifty three years.

Mr. Wilts passed away on Sept. 15, at 3 p.m. having attained the age of 76 years, 11 months and 15 days.

He was a lifetime member of the East Friesland Pres. church.

Those who survive are his wife, a daughter, Fannie, Mrs. Edgar Ohling,; two sons, Julius of Eldora and Orville of Steamboat Rock and seven grandchildren. He also is survived by a sister, Mrs. Grace Heikens and a brother, Oddie Wilts of Grundy Center.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a daughter, Henrietta, 11 mos. of age, and two brothers and two sisters.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 23 September 1965, pg 9