HELMERS, Henry 1856-1942

HELMERS, WILTFANG

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 2/24/2019 at 17:38:16

Henry Helmers Died Saturday At Waverly Hospital

Henry Helmers, for fifty years a resident of Stout and Beaver township, died Saturday at Mercy hospital, Waverly, after an eight months illness following a fall. He was 86 years and 3 months old.

Mr. Helmers was hurt in a fall Jan. 13. He was taken to the hospital at Waverly, where he remained three weeks, and then was cared for by Mrs. Elizabeth Kendricks at her home in Stout for four months, when he became well enough so that he could occupy a room in his own home with Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Lindaman, who looked after his care. Seventeen days prior to his death he became worse and was again taken to the Waverly hospital.

Funeral services were held at the home in Stout at 1:30 Tuesday afternoon, and later at Salem Lutheran church. Rev. Wm. Paulsen officiated at the service. Burial was at Salem Lutheran cemetery.

Hinrich Helmers was born June 25, 1856, in Rinzeldorf, Kreis Leer, Ostfriesland, where he was baptized, received his religious instruction and was confirmed in the Lutheran faith.

At the age of 24 years he came to America, leaving his parents, four brothers and three sisters, none of whom ever came to this country. He located in southern Illinois, where he remained two years, and then came to Grundy county, Iowa, and worked as a farm laborer near Buck Grove. He had been a resident of this county ever since, with the exception of three years' residence at Parkersburg.

On March 14, 1884, he was united in marriage with Antje Wiltfang. This union was blessed with one son, Fred Helmers, now of Marble Rock, Iowa. After farming seven years near Buck Grove, they moved onto their own farm March 1, 1891, two miles north of Fern. The following year the Salem Lutheran congregation was organized and he became one of the charter members and took an active interest in it. As far as is known, he is the last of the charter members to pass away.

Mr. and Mrs. Helmers celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at Stout on March 14, 1934, where they had resided since 1927. Mrs. Helmers passed away on Mar. 7, 1937, and Mr. Helmers remained alone at his home until his fall last January.

Surviving are one son, Fred Helmers of Marble Rock; a grandson, Herbert Helmers, Fort Dodge; one granddaughter, Evelyn Helmers, Marble Rock; one nephew, Henry Helmers Jr. of Parkersburg; and one niece, Mrs. Henry Nett of Valparaiso, Ind., and two brothers and many other relatives in Germany. One granddaughter, Anna Helmers, preceded him in death ten years ago.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 1 October 1942, pg 10