Sophia D. Maassen (1855-1923)

MAASSEN

Posted By: Debra Scott Hierlmeier (email)
Date: 11/9/2008 at 17:01:50

MRS. JOHN MAASSEN, SR 1855-1923

Mrs. John Maassen died at her home four miles south of Avoca on Monday, February 5th at eleven am, after an illness extending over three months. Funeral services were held from the Lutheran church at two o’ clock Thursday, February 8, 1923.

Sophia Dorothea Henrietta Harder was born on January 13, 1855, at Mistorf, Mecklenburg, Germany. After the age of two years she came with her parents to Blue Island, Illinois and in 1876 came to Avoca, Iowa. On the 5th day of July, 1870 she was united in marriage to Jacob Maassen, to which union two sons were born. Mr. Maassen died July 28, 1879. On February 1881, she was united in marriage John Maassen, a brother of her first husband. To this union one son and five daughters were born. She is survived by her husband, her children: John and William of Avoca; Mrs. Annie Olson of Logan, Iowa; Mrs. Augusta Pope of Saskatoon, Canada; Julius; mrs. Ida Davis; Mrs. Amanda Eggerss; Mrs. Alma Nelson of Avoca; twenty-five grandchildren, two brothers and one sister.

The death of Mrs. Maassen cast gloom over the community in which she had lived the greater part of her life. She was deeply devoted to her family and home, an ever-ready neighbor and friend in time of need. The husband and family have the deepest sympathy of the community in their loss of wife and mother.

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