Pick, Anna (Willenburg) 1868 - 1937

PICK, WILLENBURG, WIEDERHOLDT, POECKES, SMITH, JOHNSON

Posted By: Karen Danzer (email)
Date: 12/29/2008 at 14:52:22

From: Remsen Bell Enterprise, September 23, 1937

Another Pioneer Claimed By Death

Mrs. Anna Pick is Called Monday in Hospital at LeMars

Death removed another early settler of this community in the person of Mrs. Anna Pick, a resident here for nearly half a century, who passed away in the Sacred Heart hospital in LeMars Monday at noon. Mrs. Pick was 69 years old and a native of Iowa, where she resided since birth. She had lived in the Remsen community for more than 42 years. Surviving are eight children, a sister and a brother.

Mrs. Pick had been in failing health for the past three years but had been always able to be up and about in her household duties. At times her condition was worse and then again better, but of late there was a turn for the better until about three days prior to her death. Monday of this week her condition became aggravated and she was taken to the Sacred Heart hospital in LeMars in the evening. The end came just before noon on Monday.

Mrs. Pick was born on a farm near the town of New Vienna, Iowa, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen [and Anna (Tauke) ] Willenburg, who were pioneer residents of that vicinity. The mother was a native of eastern Iowa, and the father was a native of Germany. The family was among the early settlers there.

The deceased attended the rural and town parochial schools in New Vienna until she attained the age of 12 years. Then the family moved to the town of Petersburg and resided there until the year of 1893.

Prior to that the deceased was united in marriage [on February 4th 1890] to Jacob Pick in the town of Petersburg. After farming there for about three more years the couple came to Plymouth county and settled on a farm three miles east of Remsen, which they purchased. Three years later the parents of Mr. and Mrs. Pick followed and purchased a farm also east of Remsen and there the family homestead was established and the children grew up.

The Pick and Willenburg families lived in this community for many years and were always considered among the leading citizens.

Mr. Pick passed away in 1908 and after his death the widow remained on the farm until the year of 1926 when she came to spend her declining days in town.

Mrs. Pick was a lifelong member of the Catholic faith and a woman of strong Christian principle.
Born and reared in a true Christian atmosphere she never deviated from the beaten path of her early-day Christian teaching and home atmosphere, and her daily life was reflected in the example she gave to her children. She was a woman of true Christian character and one who constantly commanded the highest esteem and admiration of her many admirers. Her passing while a strict source of regret among the family, is also a sincere matter of regret to her many friends, all of whom extend their sincere sympathy to the bereaved family.
The deceased was the mother of ten children, eight of whom survive. A daughter Mrs. Catherine Wiederholdt, passed away in 1919, and a son died in infancy.

The living children are; Anton Pick, Remsen; Ollie Pick, Remsen; Veronica (Mrs. Ray Smith) Hopkington, Iowa; Clara (Mrs. Alt Johnson), Kingsley, Iowa; Arthur Pick, LeMars, Iowa; Gregory Pick, Remsen; Alphonse Pick, Remsen; Myra (Mrs. Eugene Poeckes), Remsen.

Mrs. Pick was a member of a family of 12 children, all of whom have passed away to their eternal reward with the exception of two. Those living are the Venerable Sister Mary Myra of Alton, and John W. Willenburg of Carroll, Iowa.

Funeral services will take place Friday morning at nine o’clock in St. Mary’s Catholic church. The pallbearers will be John Sonsma, John G. Schnieders, J. H. Ahmann, John B. Muller, John Galles, Jr. and Gus Rusburg.