Jaster, Emma 1883-1937

JASTER

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 7/21/2011 at 08:47:19

From: Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, January 8, 1937

Merrill Woman Suffocated In Burning House

Miss Emma Jaster, Of Washington Township, Victim Of Tragic Fate

Aged Man Saves Wife

Early Morning Blaze Caused By Overheated Furnace

Miss Emma Jaster, 53, of Washington township, lost her life in a fire which partly destroyed the residence of Henry Kammeier, in Merrill Tuesday morning. Her death was ascribed to suffocation.

Mr. and Mrs. Kammeier, the latter an invalid, were saved. Both are in the seventies. Mr. Kammeier carried his wife out of the burning structure despite the fact that he is a semi invalid himself.

The blaze, believed to have been caused by an overheated furnace, was discovered shortly before 4 a.m. Tuesday. Mr. Kammeier awoke to find smoke in his bedroom. He carried his wife to safety and then returned to search for Miss Jaster. Failing to find her he assumed she had escaped.

Neighbors Are Aroused

Neighbors aroused by screams turned in an alarm. The whole lower floor was burned out but most of the upstairs damage was caused by smoke. Firemen, who at first did not know there was anyone in the house except the aged couple, entered the upstairs by a ladder but were unable to locate Miss Jaster. Later George Bogenrief, who entered another way, found her body at the head of the stairs, fully clothed, where she had collapsed.

Mr. Kammeier and his wife are both nearly helpless but he managed to get his wife outside the burning structure, where she sat in the snow until assistance came and Miss Edna Manz and J. E. Heisler took her to the home of Mrs. Sophie Thompson. Later they were taken to the Elmer Braun home. The walls of the home are still standing but very little of the furniture was left. Mr. Kammeier suffered severe burns on his feet while walking in the house trying to extricate his wife. Miss Jaster’s face was burned where she lay against the hot wall and floor before being found.

Apparently Miss Jaster, who was in constant attendance on Mrs. Kammeier, had gone upstairs and laid down to rest and when aroused by the fire, had thrown a blanket around herself and started downstairs and was either overcome by shock or fumes of smoke, as her body was found in the passage way, with her head against the base board.

Attempts at resuscitation by those who found her and by a physician proved futile.

Funeral Held Thursday

The body was brought to Le Mars in charge of L. E. Mauer.

Emma Louisa Jaster was born in Delaware county, Iowa, November 26, 1883, and when a child came with her parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Gottlieb Jaster, came to Plymouth county, the family steeling in Washington township.

She is survived by two brothers, Emil and Herman Jaster, and three sisters, Miss Alvina Jaster, Mrs. Amelia Heeren, living near Merrill and Mrs. Fred Heeren, of Brunsville.

The funeral was held Thursday afternoon at the Johnson Lutheran township cemetery, Rev. Gustave Meyer officiating, and interment made in the Johnson township Lutheran cemetery.