Prust, Amelia 1846-1934

PRUST, LANG

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/9/2019 at 12:56:00

Aged Recluse Found Dead In Her Home

Lifeless Body Discovered When Entrance Is Forced Into the House

Lived Secluded Life

Was Widow of August Prust Civil War Veteran

Mrs. Amelia Prust, 87, a pioneer of Plymouth county, was found dead in her home Friday afternoon. Mrs. Prust a recluse and eccentric, lived alone for many years. Neighbors had failed to see Mrs. Prust about her home for a day or two and no smoke was discernible from the chimney on the house. Mrs. Frank Kramer and John Webber, living nearby went to the house Friday and lifting an outside shutter to the window of the living room saw a form stretched out on a cot. Entrance was forced into the house through a door against which a chair had been placed. The body was stiff and rigid when found.

S. H. Luken, the county coroner, was called to make an investigation. Mrs. Prust had apparently been stricken with sudden illness and lain down on the cot and was unable to call assistance. A plentiful supply of fuel was found in the hose. All of the water pipes were found frozen. The coroner expressed the opinion that the woman had been dead for two days.

Early Settler Here

Mrs. August Prust was born in Germany, Christmas Day, 1846. She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. August Lang, and came to America with her parents when a girl. She was united in marriage with August Prust in 1869. Mr. Prust served in the civil war and at its conclusion took up a homestead in Hungerford township and soon bought more land. He later came to Le Mars and engaged in the real estate and land business until retiring from active work.

Mr. Prust died August 12, 1922, and his wife lived alone since.

She is survived by one brother, Gus Lang, of Merrill and a number of nephews and nieces.

The funeral services were held Sunday in the Beely Mortuary Chapel and services were conducted by Rev. John Perl, pastor of St. John’s Evangelical church. Interment was made in the city cemetery.

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
Tuesday, Dec. 11, 1934
Le Mars, Iowa