Gerdes, Ricklef 1867-1919

GERDES, HENRICHS, DOMMER

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 10/15/2009 at 09:47:09

From: Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, March 11, 1919

RICKLEF GERDES DEAD

Apoplexy Is Ascribed as Cause of His Death.

Craig Independent: The community was indeed surprised to learn that Ricklef Gerdes had died suddenly between the hours of 5 and 6 o’clock Monday morning, March 3rd, 1919 at the family home a mile west of town. All knew that he was confined to his bed because of a fall two weeks before in which he broke three ribs, but as he was recovering from this nicely, no thought of such a demise entered their heads. Sunday he sat propped up in bed and joked with the family and friends in his usual way and all that night he slept well. But about 5 o’clock Monday morning he awakened and complained of it being hard for him to get his breath, and a short time after life had left his body. Apoplexy is considered the direct cause of his death.

Ricklef Johson Geredes was born at Bomenden, Osfriesland, Germany, June 6, 1867, making his age at the time of death 51 years, 8 months and 26 days. In the year 1891 he immigrated to America and Plymouth county, locating in Grant township, where on September 6, of the same year, he was united in marriage to Miss Kathrine Henrich, who with an only daughter, Mrs. Herman Dommer, survives him. He was a member of the Grant township Lutheran church until two years ago when he transferred his membership to St. John’s Lutheran church of Craig. The funeral was held at the church in Craig Thursday afternoon and burial was made in St. John’s cemetery west of town, his pastor, Rev. J. Vollmar, officiating.

Mr. Gerdes landed in America practically a penniless man, but by dint of hard work and economy had accumulated a fine farm and some money-enough so that he could have lived in ease, had he so desired, but idleness was not his disposition, and he worked early and late at various things until the time of his accident two weeks ago.