Speier, Minnie 1862-1947

SPEIER

Posted By: Plymouth CC
Date: 2/14/2004 at 12:24:43

Minnie Speier Rites September 3

Miss Minnie Speier, pioneer LeMars business woman, died August 31, 1947, at the Sacred Heart hospital following a long period of ill health.

Miss Speier was born in Galena, Illinois, on May 29, 1862. On April 13, 1882, Miss Speier came to LeMars with her father, Rudolph Speier, and her two sisters. Her father passed away in LeMars in 1900. Mrs. Mary Bartels and Miss Bertha Speier, as well as her Mother, two brothers and two sisters preceded her in death.

Throughout the 45 years of their ownership of the Artificial Ice Company the Speier sisters established many friends and business associates throughout Plymouth county. They both were active in this business until recent years. After the death of her sister, Bertha, in 1945, Miss Minnie Speier retired and in 1945 she sold her business interest in the ice plant.

Miss Speier has always been actively interested in all branches of the church. In her youth she was baptized and confirmed in the Evangelical church of Galena. She was one of the early members of St. John's Evangelical and Reformed church in LeMars, and sang in the first choir organized in this church.

Miss Speier is survived by her nephews and nieces, Mrs. Orville Lee, Rudolph Bartels, and Mrs. Ben Nicholson, LeMars; Mrs. L. W. Fenske, Savage, Montana. Another nephew, Oswold Bartels preceded her in death in March of this year. Eight great nephews and nieces along with two great great nephews and nieces also survive her.

Funeral services were conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 at the St. John's Evangelical and Reformed church, Rev. E. Millem officiated. Pallbearers were Henry Meyer, Carl Wilde, A. C. Weber, Ernest Weber, Gus Vlothe and Charles Werley. Interment was in the family lot at the city cemetery.

Friends and relatives who came from a distance to attend the funeral of Miss Minnie Speier which was held yesterday afternoon were Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Kaiser, Sutherland, Iowa; Mrs. O. Bartels and Mrs. Gene Halderman of Aberdeen, S.D.; Miss Mary Jean Lee of Newark, Delaware; Mr and Mrs. Keith Bartels, Pittsburgh, Pa, and Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Fenske of Savage, Montana.