Sarah (Klingenberg) Kunsch (1949)

KUNSCH, KLINGENBERG, BERNAU, MARQUARDT

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 2/19/2007 at 12:19:50

Earlham Echo - October 1949
Earlham, Iowa

Mrs. Sarah Bernau Kunsch was born on November 28, 1859 at Luana, Clayton county, Iowa, and departed this life in Jefferson township, Madison county, Iowa on October 12, 1949.

She was the daughter of Albert Frederick and Augusta Klingenberg. The fifth child in a family of nine children, she was the last survivor.

She was baptized in infancy in the faith of the Methodist church, and grew to womanhood in the locality of her birth.

She was married on February 2, 1880 to Herman Bernau, the ceremony taking place at Postville, Iowa. Immediately after her marriage she located with her husband in Madison county, Iowa, occupying various farms in this locality. Here she also became affiliated with the Lutheran church, receiving the rite of Confirmation in this church in the year 1880.

This union was blessed with the birth of two children, Emma, Mrs. Wm. Marquardt of near Van Meter, Iowa and Elbert Bernau who passed away in the year 1919.

Her husband, Mr. Bernau, was taken from her in the year 1900, his death occurring on July 11th of that year.

She entered holy matrimony a second time on October 5, 1905, being united with Mr. John Kunsch. They lived together on a farm near Earlham, until March 1, 1938, when her husband's poor health compelled them to make their home with her daughter, Mrs. Wm. Marquardt. Mr. Kunsch passed away soon thereafter, his death occurring on April 9, 1938. From that time on until her passing she continued to make her home with her daughter.

Mrs. Kunsch's health began to fail about five years ago, when she became an invalid and was confined to a wheel chair. Her condition gradually became worse, however, so that for the last two years she was confined to her sickbed. As she became gradually weaker as the result of the infirmities of old age she was privileged to enjoy the constant, loving and very efficient care of her daughter.

She welcomed each visit of her pastor, and frequently partook of the sacrament of the Lords Supper. Though the last years were most trying for her, she continued to find renewed strength and courage to carry the heavy burden of her cross, until the Lord finally in His mercy heard her prayer and ended her long and weary pilgrimage. Her death occurred on Wednesday, October 12, shortly after 4 a.m.

She brought her age to 89 years, 10 months and 14 days.

There remain to survive her her daughter, Mrs. Wm. Marquardt, four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

(Burial was made in the Trinity Lutheran cemetery)