Homan, Angelique 1849-1928

HOMAN, ARENS

Posted By: Bob Arens (email)
Date: 8/2/2005 at 19:52:40

HOMAN, ANGELIQUE (ARENS) 1849-1928
Angeline (Arens) Homan obituary from the front page of the March 15, 1928 Remsen Belle-Hearld.

MRS. ANGELINE HOMAN PASSES ON SUDDENLY
Aged Remsen Woman Succumbs To Heart Trouble at Noon Tuesday. Burial To Take Place Friday.

The ranks of Remsen's real pioneer residents were thinned again on Tuesday of this week with the death of Mrs. Angeline Homan, widow of the late Peter Homan, who died at noon after a three weeks' severe illness with heart trouble. Mrs. Homan was 78 years old, and is survived by 12 children. While it was generally known that she was in poor health, her death came rather suddenly and was a severe shock to the family and to her many friends throughout the community.

Mrs. Homan had been in failing health for about two years, and while at times her condition was considered grave, she was able to be up and about most of the time and bore her afflictions bravely and with but little complaint. Three weeks ago heart trouble afflicted her in a more severe form, and since then she had been constantly confined to the sick room. During her illness she received tender and efficient care from her children, and during her last days her youngest daughter, Mrs. F. J. Lorge (Clara Susan Homan) of Pocahontas, was constantly at her side.

Tuesday at noon, Mrs. Lorge left the sick room in order to prepare the noon day meal for her mother. She was downstairs but a few minutes and returned to find Mrs. Homan in an unconscious condition. Mrs. Lorge hastily summoned the other children and a physician, but when the latter arrived, the patient had breathed her last.

Mrs. Homan was born in the village of Ansberg, Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, on September 25, 1849. Her maiden name was Angeline Arens. At the age of 16 years she came to the United states with her parents, the family settling on a farm near St. Donatus, Jackson county, Iowa. She lived there with her parents until her marriage to Peter Homan, who was also a resident of that vicinity. Their marriage took place in St. Donatus Catholic church on November 15, 1870, and was performed by the Rev. Father Flammang, then pastor of that church and who is well remembered by many of the older Remsenites who came here years ago from eastern Iowa.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Homan settled on a farm near Srpingbrook, where they remained for four years, and later they spent eight years on a farm in Shelby county. Leaving that vicinity they spent one year on a farm in Sioux county near Alton, and in 1883 they became residents of the unincorporated settlement of Remsen.

On their arrival here they purchased the only hotel in Remsen, now known as the Hoffman House. In spite of financial hardships and the still more stringent conditions caused by general lawlessness in those early days, Mr. and Mrs. Homan made a success of their business and continued in this line for 10 years. After disposing of the hotel business, Mr. Homan purchased a 300-acre farm one-half mile north of town, which the family occupied for the next 15 years. At the time of buying the farm Mr. Homan also purchased an implement establishment which was then located on the corner now occupied by Ernster & Mnyrose, and for 15 years conducted this in connection with his farm work.

Mr. Homan took a leading part in civic affairs, and was one of the foremost figures in a bitter struggle in favor of having the town of Remsen incorporated in 1886.

Mrs. Homan was a member of the Catholic church all her life, and was steadfast in her faith in the teaching of that institution. She lived a life that set a noble example of Christian practice, and throughout the 15 years of her residence in this community she shared with her husband the reputation of a worthy citizen and one with whom it was a pleasure to associate. Mrs. Homan had a friend in her every acquaintance. She was a devoted wife, and mother, and to her friends was ever faithful, with always a kind word or a helpful deed ready for those who were deserving.

The deceased was a member of the Christian Mother's society of St. Mary's congregation, and the members will attend the funeral in a body tomorrow. She belonged to the on social organization -- the Busy Bee club -- which she joined when it was organized 20 years ago. This club was composed of about 20 local women who had become fast friends in the early days, and during all these years they met at regular intervals for a social afternoon. Until a year ago the original ranks of the club went unbroken, and Mrs. Homan is the second to leave a vacant chair among this little body of devoted friends. Her passing besides being a heartrending blow to her esteemed family, is a source of keen sorrow to her many devoted friends, who will never be able to erase from their memory the many happy hours they enjoyed with her during her prolonged life.

Mrs. Homan was the mother of 13 children, all of whom with the exception of the first, Elizabeth, later Mrs. J. T. Wictor, surviving her. They are: Mrs. John Meis [Susan Homan], Oyens; Ven. Sister M. Angelica, North Riverside, Sioux City; John J. Homan, Alton; Sister M. Angelicus [Mary Homan], Dubuque; Mrs. Jos. Schoofs [Sophie Susan Homan], Pocahontas, Iowa; Louis S. Homan, Nicholas B. Homan, Mrs. F. J. Groff [Margaret Homan] and Peter J. Homan of Remsen; F. J. [Frank Joseph] Homan of Elkton, South Dakota; Mrs. F. J. Lorge [Clara Susan Homan], Pocahontas; and Isadore J. Homan of Remsen, the latter having been making his home with his mother up to day of her death. There are 31 grand children and 15 great grandchildren. The deceased is also survived by two brothers and three sisters: Anton Arens of Dundee, Minn; Frank Arens of Lake Park, Iowa; Mrs. Mary Lehnertz [Mary or Marie Arens] of Muenster, Texas; Mrs. J. P. Mersch [Marguerite or Margaret Arens], Mrs. Antonette Duster, and Mrs. Nicholas Kass [Susan or Susanna Arens] of Remsen.

Funeral services will take place tomorrow (Friday) morning at 9:30 o'clock, at St. Mary's Catholic church. There will be a solemn requiem high mass, with the Rev. A. Wagner of Pocahontas, a cousin of the deceased, as celebrant. The Rev. Jos. Fisch of Bancroft, another cousin and former assistant priest here, will be deacon; The Rev. H. J. Schleier, present pastor here will be sub-deacon and will deliver the sermon, and the Rev. J. Hausmann, present assistant, will be master of ceremonies.

Pall bearers will be J. H. Ahmann, Nicholas Ernster, Barney Bunkers, J. P. Beck, Hubert Huewe, and D. J. Frank.