Fred "Fritz" Rahlf (1863-1937)

RAHLF, WENDT, PETERSEN, BRUEGMANN

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 21:05:24

One of our sturdy pioneers was suddenly and unexpectedly taken from our midst on Monday noon, June 14th.

Fred Rahlf was born on June 11, 1863, at Fehmel in Schleswig-Holstein in Germany, where he was baptized and after a good public school education and religious training he was confirmed into the Faith of the Evangelical church.

He was the son of Jacob Rahlf and his wife Hanna, nee Wendt. When he was 20 years of age he spirit of adventure seized him and he emigrated to America, coming at once to Scott county, Iowa, where the industrious young man soon found employment. He loved the great out­doors, trees and flowers and the feel of the soil and continued to farm during all of his active life,

On the fourth day of April, 1888, he took his life companion, Miss Johanna Sophia Petersen. For 13 years the young couple farmed near Davenport after which they came to O'Brien county where they farmed north of Hartley, and about 11 years later they bought a farm in Minnesota where they made their home until the year of 1919 when they retired and moved to Hartley.

They were permitted to enjoy a well-earned rest together for ten years before Mrs. Rahlf was taken from her family on Sun day, August 18, 1929. For more than 41 years they had shared life's joys and sorrows.

Five children were born to them. A child died in infancy and their only daughter, Emma, Mrs. Chas. Bruegmann on January 28th of this year.

Mr Rahlf had enjoyed the best of health till about six months ago, since which time he frequently complained of his heart, but no alarm was felt However, on Monday noon, while working about his home, he suddenly collapsed and died before a physician arrived. He attained the age of 74 years and 3 days.

He is survived by three sons, John, of Bemis, S. D., Otto, of Ruthven, Minn, and Hugo, at home. Two brothers, William of New Hampton, and Chris of Fredericksburg, Iowa; one son-in-law, Charles Bruegmann, one daughter-in-law, Mrs. Otto Rahlf, one brother-in-law, Detlef Pet­ersen, of Hartley, two sisters-in-law. Mrs. William and Mrs. Chris Rahlf, also survive, as well as five grandchildren and two great­grandchildren, some relatives in Germany and a host of friends.

Mr Rahlf was a faithful member of Trinity Evangelical and Reformed church of Hartley where he will be sadly missed.

Funeral services were conducted at the home on Thursday afternoon at one o'clock and at 1.30 o'clock at Trinity church Rev. F. W. Budy officated. A mens' quartette sang several selections. The body was laid to rest by the side of his beloved wife in Pleasant View cemetery.

Hartley (Iowa) Sentinel, 17 Jun 1937, p12