Emma Horst (1871-1931)

HORST

Posted By: Debra Scott Hierlmeier (email)
Date: 11/9/2008 at 11:58:46

MRS. EMMA PLAUTZ HORST 1871-1931

Mrs. Emma Plautz Horst, nee Berge, daughter of Fred Berge and his wife, Mary nee Hippner was born May 11, 1871 in Streator, Illinois.

In about her fourth year she came with her parents to the Avoca community and resided on a farm about 7 miles southwest of Avoca.

She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, and on June 9, 1891, united in holy matrimony to Christ Plautz to which union were born three daughters and five sons. The one daughter, Christine and one son, Walter, have already preceded their mother in death.

The children are: Mrs. Lena Horst, of Avoca, and Mrs. Mable Coltrider of Council Bluffs; and four sons, Louie, Frank, and Christ of Avoca, and Leo of Council Bluffs, as also ten grandchildren remain to mourn her death. Mr. Plautz preceded his wife in death about twenty-three years ago, but in 1913 Emma was married again and this time to Henry Horst.

About twelve years ago Mr. and Mrs. Horst left the farm and since have resided in Avoca.

Mrs. Horst was ever strong and seldom ailing, even in late years those who knew her would never have suspected her system to have been so filled with cancer. God’s ways are mysterious and far past finding out, and so it was that she became sick on May 11 and soon after that, May 20,, was taken to the Jenny Edmundson hospital where she greatly suffered until Wednesday when she was taken home at her request, after which she soon fell asleep, Sunday evening at 8:30 pm having reached the age of 60 years, 4 months, and 22 days.

Funeral services were held at the Lutheran Evangelical church Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Rev. Joseph Gerit officiating.

Emma Horst was one of the best known ladies in this community. All through her long illness, while at the hospital, she was deeply interested in the affairs of Avoca. She was a lady who took pleasure in doing for others, helping in many ways to ease the burden of the unfortunate. She was always ready to do her part when called upon, for the good of the community, ever ready with her services to cases of illness among neighbors or friends, many time giving freely of her finances, but never telling the world about her good deeds. Her friends were many for she had that happy jovial outlook on life that was most agreeable to all with whom she came in contact. This was evidenced by the large crowd in attendance at the funeral. Her death has not only cast a gloom over the home but over the neighborhood in which she lived. The family have the sympathy of the community.

From the Scrapbooks of Bessie Gross Gustafsen
Source: Avoca Journal Herald