Hillrichs, Mena Theen 1868-1941

HILLRICHS, SCHMIDT

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/1/2018 at 20:13:46

ESTEEMED AKRON WOMAN IS CALLED TO FINAL REWARD

Rites Are Held For Mrs. Henry Hillrichs, Sr. Last Thursday

As briefly noted in these columns last week, Mrs. Henry Hillrichs, Sr., a resident of western Plymouth county for nearly fifty years, passed away at her home in Akron on Monday evening, April 14, 1941, at 11:55 o’clock, after a several weeks’ illness of heart trouble and complications, at the age of 72 years, 6 months and 12 days.

Mena Theen Schmidt was born October 2, 1868, at Wiesederfehn, Ostfriesland, Germany. She was baptized October 23, 1868, and confirmed March 18, 1883, in the Lutheran faith. She came to America in 1884, at the age of 16 years, and located at Athens, Illinois. In 1891 she was united in marriage with Henry Hillrichs at Springfield, Illinois, where they engaged in farming for two years and then decided to come to Iowa, locating on a farm near LeMars. A year later they moved to a farm in Portland township. A few years later they purchased their own farm in Preston township, which they developed into one of the best in the county, and which remained their home for forty-one years. About a year and a half ago Mr. and Mrs. Hillrichs retired from farming and bought a nice home in Akron. They would have rounded out fifty years of happy married life could she have lived until the 8th of next October. Their union was blessed with twelve children, one son and one daughter dying in infancy, and one son, Reinhard, died in the World War in 1918

Mrs. Hillrichs leaves to mourn her departure, her dear husband, six sons and three daughters, as follows: Mrs. Wm. Barinsky, Henry HIllrichs, Jr., John Hillrichs, Mrs. Andrew Andresen, Fred Hillrichs, Mrs. John Peters, Ben Hillrichs, Harry Hillrichs and Edwin Hillrichs, all of Akron vicinity; one brother Jurgen Schmidt, of Craig, Iowa, and a sister-in-law, Mrs. Folkert Schmidt, also of near Craig, besides a number of other relatives.

Mrs. Hillrichs was a kind and devoted wife and mother, a helpful and sympathetic friend and neighbor. Home and family was her chief concern, but she found time to devote to the activities and duties of her church. She will be sincerely missed and mourned in the community where she spent so many years of her life.

Funeral services were held last Thursday afternoon, at 1:30 o’clock from the old home in Preston township and at 2 o’clock at the Preston township Lutheran church. Services were conducted by Rev. Karl Fenske. Her six sons acted as pallbearers. Interment was in the church cemetery.

Those who came from a distance to attend the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Christ. DeRiese, Mrs. Frank Frerichs, Jack DeRiese, Mrs. Ira Hunt and daughter, Viola Sharon, of Bloomington, Nebr.

No one can take a Mother’s place
When she has gone away,
But there is still this precious thought
To comfort us today
That a Mother’s presence lingers near
As passing years go by
And a Mother’s faith and a Mother’s love
Are things that never die.

Akron Register Tribune
Thursday, April 24, 1941
Akron, Iowa