Kirchhoff, Wilhelme 1854-1926

KIRCHHOFF, FLEMING, JEBSEN, SMITH, WIESE, HAMILTON, KORTUM, GATELY, SPECHT, MOELLER, MILLER

Posted By: Jo (email)
Date: 5/24/2007 at 23:22:18

MRS. DETLEFF KIRCHHOFF
In the death and funeral of Mrs. Detleff Kirchhoff, the community is called to remember another of the strong mothers and home makers from whose lives and households have gone forth the children and the influences that make for the best in our community life.
Her maiden name was Wilhelmine Fleming and she was the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Fleming of Miles, Iowa. She was born in Scott county on Septermber 23, 1854, where her parents were among the early settlers. When she was about a year old, the family moved to Van Buren township in Jackson county. Here she grew to young womanhood and was married to Henry Jebsen in March 1875. To them four children were born, all of whom survive. They are Mrs. Anna Smith of Welton, Iowa, Mrs. Mary Wiese of Andrew, Iowa, Mrs. Minnie Hamilton, whose home is in Colorado and Henry Jebsen of Welton.
Mr. Jebsen died December 24, 1897. After six years of widowhood, she was married to Detleff Kirchhoff, August 22, 1903. For two years they made their home at Manning, Iowa, but in 1905 they returned to Jackson county, and resided on their farm six miles east of Maquoketa. In 1914 they retired to the home here in the city, at 412 North Fifth street, and here Mrs. Kirchhoff passed away early last Tuesday morning, March 9, in the 72nd year of her age. She had been in very poor health for over a year past and her death was not unexpected.
Besides the bereaved husband and her own children, she is survived by five step-children, Mrs. Dora Kortum of Battle Creek, Mich., William Kirchhoff of DeWitt, Iowa, Miss Annie Kirchhoff who is with her father in the home, Ed Kirchhoff of Maquoketa and Mrs. Pauline Gately of Chicago. There are also nineteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren. It was Mrs. Kirchhoff's request, during her last illness, that six of her grandsons should bear the casket, which contained her body, to its last resting place. Those chosen to serve are Albert, Lawrence, Cranston, and Allen Smith and Henry and Robert Wiese.
Mrs. Kirchhoff was one of a large family in her own father's home. And of these, eight are still living: Two brothers, Henry Fleming of Miles and Herman Fleming of Maquoketa; four sisters, Mrs. Mary Specht, Mrs. William Moeller and Mrs. Nick Miller, all of Maquoketa, and Mrs. Charles Miller of Emeline; also two half-brothers, Elmer and Bert Fleming of Miles.
Mrs. Kirchhoff was esentially the home maker and the mother. And, though the family was so large, yet her mother heart reached out to them all. She will be sorely missed in the gatherings of the household. She fulfilled the ideal of the mother given by Solomon of old, and her reward shall be the same. Her name shall receive praise in the gates of the city and her children shall rise up and call her blessed.
Funeral services will be held in the Congregational church Friday afternoon, March 12, at 2:30 following a brief prayer service at the home at 2 o'clock. Rev. A.W. Sinden, pastor of the church will officiate and internment will be in Mt. Hope cemetery.