Wiederholdt, Catherine 1891 - 1920

WIEDERHOLDT, PICK

Posted By: Karen Danzer (email)
Date: 12/29/2008 at 14:32:16

From: Remsen Bell Enterprise, February 12, 1920

Death Claims Seven

Death Takes Heavy Toll in Remsen.
Two Old Former Residents Expire

One of the saddest deaths caused by the influenza epidemic was that of Mrs. Ben Wiederholdt, a young wife and mother who passed away suddenly at her home southeast of town last Friday night at ten o’clock. Mrs. Wiederholdt had been suffering for a week with a bad cold, and since her husband and children were all ill she seemed to have ignored her own condition and failed to realize the extent of her own condition. The young woman was up and about the house all week and it was not thought that her case was near as serious as it really was. She was about her work as usual the fatal day and her life expired suddenly and without warning shortly after she retired for the night.

Mrs. Wiederholdt, before her marriage Miss Catherine Pick, was born on a farm near Petersburg, Iowa, on June 27, 1891, and at the time of her death was twenty-eight years of age. At the age of two years she came to Remsen with her parents and the family home since then has been the Pick farm six miles south of town. Catherine was united in marriage on January 22, 1913, in St. Mary’s church, Remsen, to Bernard Wiederholdt. The couple resided on a farm near Alton for the first two years and then spent three years in the vicinity of Marcus, but for the past two years they lived south of town. Their marriage was blessed with three children, all of whom are living. They are Vitus, 6; Irma, 4 and Varina, 2 years of age. She is also survived by her husband, her mother, three sisters and five brothers.

Mrs. Wiederholdt’s sudden death caused profound regret in the entire community and was a severe shock to the family. Her condition was not considered dangerous and she assisted in the care of the other members of the family up to the moment of her death. Her husband was with her when the end came and her death was so sudden that no other help could arrive.

Catherine Wiederholdt was a kind and loving mother and wife, and a general favorite among the friends with whom she associated. Her early death causes great grief to the family and the many friends will miss her in the years to come.

The funeral was held Monday morning at nine o’clock, Rev. Father Schulte conducting the services. Those from other towns who attended the last rites were John Richard, of Dubuque; the John Kunkel family and the Anton Meis family, of LeMars, and Joseph Pick and son Arnold, of Lismore, Minn.