Pech, Mary Anne (Willstumpf) 1856-1935

WILLSTUMPF, PECH, EYRES, DETLOFF, OSBORNE, POWLES, EILERS, FOWLER, KLIPPLE

Posted By: Ardythe Rees Stoesz (email)
Date: 8/7/2007 at 12:46:31

From the LeMars Sentinel, Tuesday, December 3, 1935, Page 1, Column 3:

Mrs. Mary Pech Early Resident Taken by Death

Was Wife of Founder of One of Leading Industries in Le Mars

Native of Delaware

Came to Plymouth County Forty-Five Years Ago

Mrs. Gus Pech, 80, residing at 119 Second Avenue SW., died Saturday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Will Detloff, north of town, where she had been staying of late. Death was due to a heart attack and infirmities of increasing age.

Mrs. Pech was born January 14, 1856, in Delaware state. Her mother died when she was two and a half years old. The family moved in 1861 to Lancaster, Wis., where she passed her youthful days. Her maiden name was Mary Anne Willstumpf. Coming to Iowa in the seventies she was married to Gus Pech at Storm Lake, August 11, 1878, where they made their home until 1890 when they came to LeMars to live.

Mr. Pech was the founder of the Pech Foundry and Machine Shops, which is one of the thriving industries of LeMars. Mr. Pech was an expert machinist and turned out products which have made the name of the firm and LeMars famous not only in the states but in Canada, South America and South Africa. He evolved well augers and drilling machines on a new scale, after locating in LeMars.

Leaves Large Family

Mr. Pech died in 1900 and the family conducted the plant for a few years, later selling out to the present owner.

Mrs. Pech is survived by six daughters and a son, Mrs. Will Eyres, Mrs. Will Detloff, Mrs. George Osborne of Le Mars; Mrs. E. S. Powles of Rockaway, N. Y.; Clarence Pech and Mrs. Wm. Eilers, of Sioux City; Mrs. Laurena Fowler, Richmond, Cal. There are thirteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

The funeral was held Monday afternoon at the home of Will Detloff, with Rev. Harold A. Smith, pastor of the Union Presbyterian church, officiating, and interment made in the city cemetery.

Her husband died January 6, 1900, a daughter, Edna A., on Jan. 5, 1915, a son, William, in infancy and George A. Pech, October 27, 1933.

She is survived by a sister, Mrs. Kate Klipple, of Long Beach, Cal.

Mrs. Pech was a good christian woman, a devoted wife and kind, pleasant and neighborly. She enjoyed a large acquaintenance and many friends pay tribute to a long life well lived.