Arens, Elisabeth 1822-1916

ARENS, EHLERINGER

Posted By: Bob Arens (email)
Date: 8/2/2005 at 19:51:22

ARENS, ELISABETH (EHLERINGR) 1822-1916
Elizabeth (Ehleringer) Arens obituary in the March 16, 1916 Remsen Bell-Enterprise.

A LONG LIFE CLOSED

Mrs. Elizabeth Arens Answers Final Summons -- Was Ninety-four Years of Age

Mrs. Elizabeth [Ehleringer] Arens, one of the oldest people in point of residence, and the oldest, in years, in Plymouth county, died Sunday morning at 9 o'clock in the home of Mr. and Mrs. [Susan Arens] Nicholas Kass, with whom she made her home for many years. Mrs. Arens was ninety-four years of age and her death was due to cerebral hemorrhage that was brought on by the infirmities resulting from the weight of many years. Her death came very much unexpected, as the aged lady, all through her life and even unto the last day, possessed unusually good health and a robustness that is indeed to be regarded a boon to those who are blessed with a life as long as hers. Mrs. Arens was unusually active up to and on the eve of her death and her sudden passing came as a severe shock to the many relatives and the hundreds of acquaintances who were ever glad to call her friend.

Elizabeth Arens, nee Ehlinger [Ehleringer], was born in the village of Anglesburg, in the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg on the fourth day of January 1822. She grew into young womanhood under the parental roof, which she left for the first time when she became the wife of John Arens, also of that place. In 1863 the couple came to the United States, settling on a farm near St. Donatus, Iowa and remaining there for fourteen years. Then [1877] they moved into St. Donatus and the husband [John Arens] died soon [1881] thereafter. Mrs. Arens remained there for some time, and in 1886 she came to Remsen. Her children gave her the care that was due a loving mother and for these thirty years she has been counted as a most excellent and highly esteemed resident of Remsen. For many years, and up to the time of her death, she lived with the Nicholas Kass family, Mrs. Kass [Susan Arens] being her youngest child.
Mrs. Arens was the mother of eleven children, seven of whom are left to mourn her departure. They are; Angelica, now Mrs. Peter Homan; Margaret, Now Mrs. J. P. Mersch; Antionette, now Mrs. John Duster; Susan, Now Mrs. N. Kass, all of Remsen; Mary, now Mrs. M. Lehnertz of Muenster, Texas; Anton of Dundee, Minn., and Frank of Lake Park, Iowa. One brother, Nicholas Ehlinger [Ehleringer], died at Dell Rapids, S. Dak., two years ago. The deceased woman is also survived by and unusually large number of descendants in three generations, there being forty-eight grand children and fifty-four great grand children.

The Angel of Death has closed the final chapter in the story of a life well spent. With the death of Elizabeth Arens the world loses another of those grand old characters that are ever a source of admiration and inspiration to those who appreciate the example of a clean, honest journey thru the rough pathways of life. Born of an excellent parentage, and reared under the mantle of her mother church, she clung to her early teachings and spiritual ideals with a fervor that never wavered. In her earlier life she bent her strength to the proper rearing of her large family, and as the " snows of many winters" settled over her brow, she reaped the benefit of her early righteousness through that peace and comfort that always attends the close of a life journey well begun. Her declining years were spent in days of supreme comfort while with a loving eye she surveyed the happiness of her large decendancy, and the weight of each succeeding year served only to enhance her faith in the divine promise for those who are prepared to meet their Maker with a smile.

The funeral was held Tuesday morning at 9:00 o'clock, solemn services being conducted in St. Mary's Catholic church by the Rev. Father Schulte. Interment was made in the Catholic cemetery. The attendance was very large. The following relatives and friends from a distance were here:

Mr. and Mrs. [Margaret Schroeder] Anton Arens, Dundee, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. [Elizabeth (Lizzie) Kass] Frank Arens, Lake Park, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. [Justine Augusta Ehleringer] Nick Schmidt, Dell Rapids, S. D.; Mr. and Mrs. [Susanna Ehleringer] August Berte, St. Joseph, Iowa; Nick Koob, Mrs. [Marie Arens] N. Schroeder, Mrs. [Unknown] T. Haxmeier, Pete Goebel, Alton; Mr. and Mrs. Gorgen, Mrs. Math Fisch, Miss Jennie Fisch, Mrs. Nick Fisch, Mr. and Mrs. [Unknown] Joe Duster, Mr. and Mrs. [Antonella Arens ?] John Duster, Mrs. [Unknown] Her. Zimmerman, Nick Freymann, Miss Susan Hoffmann, Nick Hyertz, Mrs. [Unknown] P. Brucher, LeMars; Mrs. [Unknown] Pete Fisch, Mr. and Mrs. [Susan Homan] John Meis, Mrs. [Unknown] Fideler, Oyens; Mrs. [Agnes A. Arens] F. Haberman, Miss Elizabeth Arens, Mrs. [Antoinette Margaret (Nettie) Arens] A. Bodelsen, Dundee, Minn.; Mr. Bert Arens, Lake Park, Iowa; Miss Emma Kass, Peter Duster, Sioux City.