BECHTUM, Elsie Leota (Witt) 1906-1981

BECHTUM, WITT, ARP

Posted By: Deidre Badker (email)
Date: 6/2/2016 at 18:05:33

Elsie Leota Witt was born June 15, 1906 at rural Gladbrook, Tama, Iowa to Adelia Helen Arp and Frederick Louis Witt, the fourth of their six children. Her siblings were: Georgiana Bertha; Lillian; Alfred H; Walter Herman and Frances Leora.

Family found in the 1910 - 1920 censuses living on a farm at Lincoln, Tama, Iowa:
1910: Fred L Witt 39, Adelia Witt 32, Georgena Witt 13, Lillie Witt 10, Elsie Witt 3, Harman Arp 26.

1915: Elsie Witt age 8.

1920: Fred Witt 49, Adelie Witt 41, Lillian Witt 20, Elsie Witt 13, Walter Witt 9, Francis Witt 6.

Elsie married Frederick William Bechtum (b March 7, 1902 Plano, Kendall, Illinois, d December 25, 1951 Osage, Mitchell, Iowa) on September 16, 1924 at Marshalltown, Marshall, Iowa.

The couple had 5 children:
Kenneth Lee (b April 20, 1926 Riceville, Mitchell, Iowa; d November 15, 2007 Osage, Mitchell, Iowa);
Rollin Frederick (b August 7, 1927 Mitchell, Iowa; d September 19, 1965 Rochester, Olmsted, Minnesota);
Merna Pauline; Robert Theodore and Mark John.

Family found in the 1925 - 1940 censuses living on a farm at Jenkins, Mitchell, Iowa:
1925: Fred Becktum 22, Elsie Becktum 18.

1930: Fred W Bechtun 28, Elsie L Bechtun 23, Kenneth L Bechtun 3 yrs 11 mos, Rollin F Bechtun 2 yrs 8 mos.

1940: Fred Berston (should be Bechtum) 38, Elsie Berston 33, Kenneth Berston 13, Rolland Berston 12, Myrna Berston 9, Robert Berston 4.

Elsie Bechtum died September 25, 1981 at Osage, Mitchell, Iowa. Her funeral was held September 28, 1981 at Our Savior's Lutheran in Osage, Iowa, officiated by Rev. Joseph Nesheim and Rev. Harold Larsen. Pall bearers were: Loren and David Bechtum; Marty Adams; Richard, Steven, and Frederick Barnhart.

She was buried at the Riverside Cemetery, Riceville, Mitchell, Iowa. There is a memorial for her at Fnd a Grave #59046714.

Note: Censuses transcribed as found without fixing spelling errors.