Fehleisen, Bertha – 1858-1941

FEHLEISEN, MCCALMONT

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 3/5/2024 at 09:14:35

Bertha Fehleisen, First Newton Grad, Dies
Newton Woman Was 82; Was Graduated In Class Of 1875
Bertha L. Fehleisen, 82, the last surviving member of the first graduating class of Newton high school in 1875, died early this morning at her home at 112 South Fourth avenue East after a lingering illness.
Funeral services will be conducted Thursday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock at the Morgan Funeral home with interment following in the Newton Union cemetery.
Taught School
Miss Fehleisen was the teacher of many of the older Newton folks. She also taught in the public schools of Boone, Ia., and Hastings, Nebr.
During her residence here she has been an active member of the Twentieth Century club, the Newton Woman’s Club and the Newton Historical society.
Miss Fehleisen was a property holder of Newton, owning her own home and the building in the 200 block on West Second street North housing the Starrett Electric shop and the Groh barber shop.
Bertha was the second child of Theodore and Catharine Fehleisen. She was born on a farm near Kellogg in 1858 and moved to Newton with her parents in 1866.
She received her early education in the Newton public schools being one of the first class to graduate in 1875. Later she attended Cedar Falls Normal thus preparing herself to become a primary teacher.
Home in Newton
After several years of teaching she returned to Newton in 1905 to care for her aged parents. Since then she had made her home in Newton.
In 1877 she was united with the First Congregational church and has ever remained an active member until infirmities of age kept her at home.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her two brothers in 1939.
Surviving are her sister, Mrs. Hester McCalmont of Newton, six nieces and two nephews and a number of cousins in Jasper county.
Source: Newton (IA) Daily News; Tuesday, January 14, 1941, page 1

Fehleisen Rites Held
Funeral services for Miss Bertha Fehleisen, 82, were conducted Thursday afternoon by the Rev. Frank M. Blish. Interment was in the Newton Union cemetery.
Pallbearers were Walter Heki, John McAninch. Fred Jasper, Fred Meredith, Clarence Griebeling and Harold Marshall.
Arranging the flowers were Mrs. Gertrude Wagley and Mrs. Minnie Dodds.
Mrs. Blish Sings
Mrs. Frank M. Blish, accompanied by Mrs. Vera Trevits Scheel, sang “The 23rd Psalm” and “The 34th Psalm.”
Bertha Fehleisen was born on a farm near Kellogg in 1858 and after spending most of her life in Newton, died here Jan. 14, 1941. She was the second child of Theodore and Catharine Fehleisen.
She received her early education in the Newton public schools, being one of the first class to graduate in 1875. Later she attended Cedar Falls Normal thus preparing herself to become a primary teacher. After several years of teaching she returned to Newton in 1905 to care for her aged parents.
Joins Church
In 1877 she was united with the First Congregational church and entered into all church activities with much interest. She was a member of the Twentieth Century club, the Newton Woman’s club and the Newton Historical society.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her two brothers in 1939.
Surviving are her sister, Mrs. Hester McCalmont of Newton, six nieces and nephews and a number of cousins in Jasper county.
Source: Newton (IA) Daily News; Saturday, January 18, 1941, page 7