WORTMAN, Anna (Recker) 1866-1950

WORTMAN, WILLEMSSEN, RECKER

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/30/2012 at 11:39:54

This community lost an aged and long-time resident in the death of Mrs. Anna Wortman, which occurred on Monday night (March 27, 1950) at 10:15. Mrs. Wortman was 93 years on on September 2nd of last year, and, although troubled with some afflictions, was in fairly good health until last Christmas. Since that time, her health failed rapidly.

Mrs. Wortman was born and raised as a child at Fosterburg, IL, and it was there that she was united in marriage to Rev. Henry Wortman. The couple came to Lyon County about sixty years ago, when Rev. Wortman was called to serve as pastor of the Lyon County First Presbyterian church, which he served until his death in 1912. Mrs. Wortman was always an active worker in the church and its organizations and through this work she gained a wide acquaintance of friends who grieve to learn of her death.

Mrs. Wortman made her home with her son, Calvin, and daughter Esther, the lastter passed away on August of last year. She is servived by two sons, Calvin and Elmer, and a daughter, Mrs. U. J. Willemssen, all of George.

Funeral services will be held from the Wortman home at 1 o’clock and from the Lyon County First Presbyterian Church on Friday afternoon.

(From the Lyon County News of March 30, 1950)

OBITUARY

Mrs. Henry Wortman, nee Anna Recker, was born at Fosterburg, IL on September 2, 1866, the second child in a family of six children.

Her childhood days and youthful years were spent at Fosterburg. She was raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The Christian community at Fosterburg gave one of its sons to the Gospel ministry in the person of Mr. Henry Wortman. After finishing his course of study he turned to his home community and took a daughter to be his helpmate. This daughter was Miss Anna Recker. On May 19, 1886, she took the hand of this young preacher to be his wedded wife.

As newlyweds, they took up their home in Kossuth County, locating at Ramsey, Iowa, where she be lady of the manse. On October 1887, her husband followed a call to the newly organized Presbyterian church, the Lyon County First church at George, Iowa. Here she became the first lady of the manse. The community was a small settlement of German people. Her husband was a pioneer preacher. She assisted in the work of the pastor. She was gifted with a good voice and she enjoyed using it in the worship, praising God in song. She assisted in the ministry of music, where and whenever she could.

She was the mother of five children, two of whom, with the father, preceded her in death. One child died in infancy, the other, Esther, passed away in August of last year. She lost her husband very early in life. He died very suddenly on June 27, 1912. Her husband, being translated from the church militant to the church triumphant, and the church family, being in need of a pastor, she and her four children left the manse, taking up their residence across the road from the church.

What a feeling it must have been in the hearts and souls of the family to continue their association in the worship with their father-pastor. What an experience for the widow to take her place in the service without him, with whom she had shared the ups and owns in life. She continued her attendance faithfully as long as she was physically able.

The last years, being afflicted with bodily ailment, she could not attend the worship, but she joined in the worship, having an amplifier in the house.

She saw the settlers increase, the community expand, and the church grow. Yes, she saw not only the church grow, she witnessed churches springing up in the community. In her declining years, the Lord laid some afflictions on her, to which she succumbed on Monday evening, March 27, 1950, attaining the age of 83 years, 6 months and 25 days.

She leaves to mourn her departure, the three children, 2 sons and one daughter. They are Calvin, residing in the home; Amanda, Mrs. O. U. Willemssen, residing in this community; and Elmer, residing in George. She leave two grandson. Besides this, she leaves other relatives, this church and friends.

Lyon County News of April 13, 1950