Karli, Wilhelmina "Grandma" 1861-1953

KARLI, WETTSTAEDT

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 1/28/2008 at 19:14:19

LeMars Globe-Post
April 2, 1953

Mrs. Wilhelmina Karli of Merrill, an early Plymouth County settler, passed away at the Sacred Heart hospital on March 31, 1953, following a sickness of two months.

Wilhelmina Wettstaedt was born November 11, 1861, in Kunow, Germany. She came to the United States in 1872 where she has since lived except for four years spent in Tennessee between 1896 and 1900. On November 13, 1880, she was united in marriage with Augustine Felix Karli in Plymouth county.

Both she and Mr. Karli were active in organizing St. John's Lutheran Church. She was a charter member of the Ladies Aid and at the time of her death had been honorary member 26 years. She was never attended by a doctor through her entire life except for the past few months when her health began to fail. She was taken sick at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Andrew Carstensen, and on March 2, taken to the Sacred Heart hospital at LeMars.

Grandma Karli was a robust pioneer in the early days, taking part in the homesteading of this community.

Funeral services were held Thursday, April 2, 1953, at 2:30 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Merrill. Burial was in Hillside Cemetery under the direction of Mauer funeral home. Rev. J.F. Brinkman officiated at the last rites.

Survivors include the children, Mrs. Amanda Carstensen and Mrs. Emma Jessen, and Mrs. Josephine Ahrendsen, all of Merrill, and Emil Karli of LeMars; 9 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and 1 great great grandchild.

Mrs. Karli was preceded in death by her husband in 1928.

Pallbearers were Melvin Ahrendsen, Verlin Karli, Felix Carstensen, Clarence Carstensen, Milo Hughes, and Luverne Kurtz.
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LeMars Globe-Post
April 6, 1953

IN MEMORY OF GRANDMA KARLI
MY GRANDMA

We shall miss her pleasant smile
As we walk in the door.
We will carry it in our memory
For ever more.
Her work on earth is finished.
And although we all are sad,
God saw fit to take her
And make her dear heart glad.
Now she has gone from us,
Free from worry and care,
To be a Grandma up in Heaven
To those who need her there.

By Lucille Husman