Westhoff, Maria Elizabeth 1848-1923

WESTHOFF, RICKLEFS, AHRENDT, PLUEGER

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 1/22/2021 at 20:29:54

The LeMars Globe-Post
Monday, January 8, 1923

MRS. J. WESTHOFF DIES AT AGE OF 75.
MARRIED IN THE OLD COUNTRY
Young Couple Came to Plymouth County and Settled in Grant.

Mrs. John G. Westhoff died Friday afternoon, Jan. 5, in her home on First avenue North West. She leaves to mourn, her husband, five children and many grandchildren. The children are the sons: John, Gerd and Dick, and the daughters, Mrs. Lizzie Ahrendt and Katherine Plueger. She also leaves one brother, J. H. Ricklefs, an old settler of this county.

Deceased, Maria Ricklefs, was born on Jan. 4, 1848, at Sandal, district Zevers in Oldenburg, Germany. There she grew up to womanhood and in 1873 she came to America, settling in Jones county. She was married there to John G. Westhoff. In the same year the young people came to Plymouth county and settle down in Grant township, where they lived until about six years ago, when they came to LeMars. She lived a useful and quiet life for her husband, family and church was universally honored. The funeral was held today. After services in St. John’s Lutheran Church, burial took place in the Lutheran cemetery in Grant township. Rev. J. J. Vollmar officiated.
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LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
Tuesday, January 9, 1923

WAS AN OLD RESIDENT
MRS. WESTHOFF WAS AN EARLY SETTLER IN PRESTON
DECEASED WAS A NATIVE OF GERMANY
Came to Iowa Fifty Years Ago Located in Jones County Where She Married and Then Came with Husband to LeMars.

Mrs. Westhoff, wife of J. G. Westhoff, residing on First Avenue NW, died suddenly on Friday at her home at the age of 75 years. Death was due to embolism. Mrs. Westhoff was one of the pioneers of the northwestern part of Plymouth county and was well known especially among the older settlers.

Her maiden name was Maria Elizabeth Ricklefs, she was born at Sandel, near Zever in the duchy of Oldenburg, Germany on January 4, 1848, and grew up and was educated in her native place. In 1873, with relatives she came to America and they settled shortly afterwards in Jones county in this state where she was united in marriage with Jennsen Gerdes Westhoff. From Jones county they came to Plymouth county and were very early settles in Preston township and then moved to Grant township where they farmed for many years happy in the rearing of their children, and their occupation of farming at which they attained success after surmounting the obstacles and disadvantages under which the early pioneers labored, before prosperity and affluence were gained.

To Mr. and Mrs. Westhoff were born six children. One daughter died young. Her death is mourned by her aged husband and her children who are Mrs. Carl Ahrendt, Mrs. Theo. Plueger, John Westhoff, George Westhoff and Dick Westhoff, all residents of this county. There are also twenty-two grandchildren and one great grandchild. Mrs. Westhoff was related by ties of blood and marriage to many of the pioneer families and had a large circle of relatives who also mourn the loss of a good neighbor and old friend.

Early in life she affiliated with the Lutheran Church and was a member of Christ church in Grant township for many years and after residing in LeMars attended St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Eighteen years ago Mr. and Mrs. Westhoff came to LeMars and lived here for a year and then returned to their farm. Eight years ago they returned from farm life and made their home here since.

Mrs. Westhoff was a good Christian woman and enjoyed the respect and esteem of all those who knew her.

Funeral services were held yesterday at one o’clock at St. John’s church. Rev. J. J. Vollmar officiating.
Services were held at Christ church Grant township, Rev. J. D. Meyer and J. J. Vollmar officiating, and the interment was made in the Grant township cemetery.
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