Caroline Christine Sophia (Dueker) Rixmann (1869-1933)

DUEKER, RIXMANN, RIXMAN, LEFFERDINK, LINDEMAN

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 8/2/2016 at 23:38:35

CAROLINE CHRISTINE SOPHIA RIXMANN

People in many communities throughout Iowa, Minnesota, Mis­souri and Illinois were deeply grieved when it became known on Tuesday of this week that the wife of their former pastor had passed away.

Mrs. Rixmann was the second of eight children born to Casper Dueker and his wife Barbara. She was born on the 21st day of October, 1869 near Bible Grove, Illinois. Her parents were God­fearing and devout people who brought their daughter early that she might be baptized into the Faith to which they themselves adhered. She was named Caro­line Christine Sophia Dueker.

She attended the schools of that community and on the 25th day of March, 1883 she was confirmed by the late Rev. Thal in the Evangelical church at Bible Grove, 111. In this church she served for several years as organist, besides being active in its Sunday School and other organizations.

On the 22nd of September, 1887 she was united in marri­age with the pastor of her church, the Rev. Henry Rixmann. At this happy occasion her former pastor, the Rev. Albert Muecke, D.D. now retired at Keokuk, Iowa, of­ficiated. Forty-five years she shared with her husband the strenuous life of a pastor. Espec­ially did the early years they spent under pioneer conditions call for much forbearance and sacrifice. Six children were born to their union, five of whom sur­vive their mother. One daughter, Clara, died the 30th day of July, 1929.

She is survived by her sorrowing husband, Rev. Henry Rixmann; three sons, Paul of Lake field, Minn., Arnold of Fargo, N Dak., and Milton at home; two daughters, Lydia, Mrs. Cornelius Lefferdink of Cleveland, Ohio and Emilia, Mrs. Jake Lindeman of Ackley, Iowa; two daughters-in-law and two sons-in-law; eight grandchildren, four sisters and two brothers. One brother, Charles, died two years ago. A host of more distant relatives and friends also survive.

Besides the church at Bible Grove, 111., Mrs. Rixmann was her husband's faithful helpmate In various churches in Missouri, Minnesota and Iowa. Their last charge was at Calumet, Iowa, where they served Zion church for six years. In 1918 Rev. Rix­mann retired from the active min­istry and moved to Hartley, Iowa where they have since resided.

During her illness various messages of sympathy and comfort came to her from all these places, giving evidence of the esteem in which she was held. Mrs. Rix­mann was not only an exception­ally fine wife and mother, but wherever she went, she was a friend to the friendless and needy, going out of her way to serve even those who came as perfect strangers into her life and neigh­borhood. Her's was truly a life of devotion and she will be sadly missed during the lifetime of all who knew her.

Mrs. Rixmann enjoyed good health until a few months ago, when she seemed to realize that the end was not far off. On the 5th of November she suffered a severe stroke of apoplexy which I*ft her paralyzed. A second stroke, eight days later, deprived her of her speech. Much to the surprise of her friends she began to Improve, and they hoped for her complete recovery. .However, at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Janu­ary 10 th, a third stroke terminat­ed her beautiful and useful life. She reached the age of 63 years, 2 months and 19 days.

Her children came to her aid from near and far and gave their mother the best of care during her declining days. Funeral services will be held from Trinity Evangelical church, of whose Ladles' Aid and Dorcas society she was a faithful mem­ber, on Friday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock, preceded by services at the home at 1:30. Rev. F. W. Budy will have charge of the ser­vices and music will be furnished by the mixed quartet. Interment will be in Pleasant View ceme­tery.

Hartley (Iowa) Sentinel, Jan 12, 1933, p6