Hellstern, Thomas 1863-1927 and Rose Kramer family

HELLSTERN, KRAMER, SCHMITT, BELKE

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 2/28/2022 at 10:43:57

Hellstern, Thomas 1863-1927 and Rose Kramer Family
This story was taken from page 92 of the Rock Valley St. Mary’s Catholic Church Book written for the centennial of the church in about 1982(?). The story was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society. Some research notes were added.

THOMAS HELLSTERN was born in Galena, Illinois December 1, 1863 and came to Rock Valley in 1886. ROSE KRAMER was born in West Phalea, Michigan and grew up in Loretta, Tennessee. They were married February 13, 1889 in St. Mary’s Church in Rock Valley. Thomas was a Contractor and Builder from 1886 until his death. He built the addition to the old St. Mary’s Church. There are many landmarks still in use in Rock Valley which he built; the Valley State Bank, Foppe’s Pioneer Store, now Frank’s and many homes. He built the Town Hall which was demolished when the New Complex was built. He was the first Volunteer Fire Chief and served many years. He also served on the City Council for over thirty years until the time of his death. Thomas and Rose were the parents of seven children: Mary, Anna, Alberta, William, Margaret, Helena and Edward.

Thomas died in Rock Valley April 5, 1927 and Rose on September 7, 1943. Both are buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Children: Not in order of birth.

1. MARY born 1895 married Bert Kessler in St. Mary’s. They have four children. Bert is deceased and buried in Calvary Cemetery in Sioux City. Mary now lives in Sioux City.

2. ANNA born 1898 married Daniel Murray in St. Mary’s and had five children. Daniel is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Sioux City. Anna still lives in Sioux City.

3. ALBERTA HELLSTERN born 1900 also lives in Sioux City

4. WILLIAM born 1902 married Bernice Garrety in Nampo, Idaho and they had two children. William is deceased and buried in Nampo, Idaho.

5. MARGARET born 1905 married Charles Aldrich in Deadwood, South Dakota. She now lives in Hammond, Montana.

6. HELENA born 1889 married Gordon Willson in St. Mary’s. they had seven children. They are both buried in Calvary Cemetery in Sioux City.

7. EDWARD (TACK) born 1891 served in World War I in France. He and Frank O’Meara worked together as carpenters and built many of the houses in Rock Valley. He is now buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Rock Valley.

All the children were baptized, made their First Holy Communion, and were confirmed in St. Mary’s. Five of them attended St. Mary’s Academy.

RESEARCH NOTES: by Wilma J. Vande Berg (GSCGS)
In a report on ancestry.com done by others, Thomas Hellstern was born 1 Dec 1863 Galena, Jo Daviess IL, died 5 Apr 1927 Rock Valley IA, he was the son of Thomas Bischof Hellstern 1821-190 and Margaretha Schmitt 1828-1893. He married Rosina Kramer 12 Jan 1889 Loretto, Lawrence Tennessee.
The 1925 Iowa census lists Rose’s parents as John Kramer and (Mahema Balka ? spellings?) The 1870 census of Westphalia MI lists parents as John Kramer 40 and wife Catherine 40, Children Catharine 13, Theresa 13, Clara 7, William 5 and Rosa 3.

Found the brother of Rose, William’s account on ancestry.com which listed his parents as John William Kramer born 8 May 1828 Westphalia Germany died 28 Oct 1903 Loretto, Tenn. His wife was Catherina Wilhelmina Belke 1826—17 Jan 1912 Mercer OH. The daughter Rose Kramer was listed as born 16 Ded 1867 Westphalia MI and died 7 Sep 1943 Sioux City IA. buried in St. Mary’s cemetery Rock Valley IA.

Their children were reported as follows; Submitter questions the death places as Sioux City IA in some cases could be Sioux County IA….
Helena Olive Hellstern 1889-1972 married Gordon Lerpoy Willson 1890-1978 Seven children listd
Edward Val Hellstern bon 24 Jul 1891 Rock Valley IA died 11 May 1968 Sioux IA.
Alberta Hellstern (Miss) born 22 Jan 1900 Rock Valley IA, died 18 Jul 1991 Sioux City IA
Mary Hellstern born Jun 1895 Rock Valley, IA died 28 Sep 1992 Sioux City IA
Anna Luella Hellstern Williams born 3 Jan 1898 Rock Valley IA died 27 Apr 1984 Sioux City IA.
William Thomas Hellstern born 21 Jan 1902 Rock Valley IA died 25 Jan 1959 Kennewick, WA married Bernice C. 1909-1992
Margaret Agnes Hellstern born 1 Jan 1905 Sioux County IA died 27 Mar 1986 Broadus, MR married Charles Albert Aldrich 1909-1991

OBITUARY OF THOMAS HELLSTERN
From the Rock Valley Bee, April 8, 1927:
THOS. HELLSTERN PASSED AWAY
Thos. Hellstern died at his home in Rock Valley, Tuesday afternoon. Mr. Hellstern had been sick for over a year. He went to Rochester, Minn., over a year ago and obtained some relief, but later began to fail.
Mr. Hellstern was a public spirited man and a man who was held in high esteem by all who knew him. Funeral services will be held Friday at 9:30 a.m. Further particulars and obituary will be given next week.
* * * * * * * * * *
The April 15 edition of the Rock Valley Bee is missing. However, there is an obituary in the Alton Democrat, April 15, 1927, Rock Valley news:
Thomas Helstern age sixty-three died at his home in Rock Valley Tuesday evening April 5th. Mr. Helstern came to Rock Valley as a mere youth in 1886 where he has since continued to reside. He was a carpenter by trade and acted as councilman for a period of 30 years and was also fire chief, having held both of these offices when the death angel claimed him. Many of the homes in this town were built by Mr. Helstern as well as farm homes and buildings. Mr. Helstern was also a firm believer in education and lived to see his youngest daughter graduate from the Mankato Normal school.
Mr. Helstern leaves to mourn his wife and children as follows: Mrs. Gordon Wilson of Hinton, Edward of Rock Valley, Mrs. B. L. Kessler, Sioux City, Mrs. Anna Murray of Omaha, Miss Alberta of Sioux City, William and Margaret of Rock Valley, besides other relatives and a large circle of friends.
Funeral services were held Friday at St. Mary’s Catholic church of which he was a faithful member, conducted by Rev. J. J. O’Riely, the pastor of the parish. Interment was made in St. Mary’s cemetery. Many beautiful floral offerings decked his last resting place. All the business places were closed during the funeral services. The funeral was one of the largest and it was necessary to use chairs to seat all the people in attendance.
* * * * * * * * * *
The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Hellstern, Thomas, b. 1863, d. 1927, Father, St. Marys Cem Rock Valley IA.
His death certificate has Thomas Helstren, resident of Rock Valley 40 years; born Dec. 1, 1863 in Glenco, Ill.; parents Thos. Helstren and Margaret Smith, both born in Germany; wife Rosa Helstren; profession, carpenter; died at 4:40 p.m. April 5, 1927; cause, carcinoma of stomach, duration nearly 2 years.
FindaGrave.com gives his spouse as Rosina Kramer Hellstern (1867-1943) and lists one of his children, Margaret A. Hellstern Aldrich (1905-1986).
Note: See the obit of his wife Rose Hellstern 1867-1943 for family details.
From a report on ancestry.com (done by others) Thomas Hellstern born 1 Dec 1863 died 5 Sep 1927 Rock Valley IA, his parents were Thomas B Hellstern 1921-1909 and Margaretha Schmitt 1828-1883. Wife was Rose Kramer 1867-1943. Children listed were – Helena 1889, Edward 1891, Mary 1896, Anna 1898, Alberta 1900, William 1902 and Margaret 1905.

OBITUARY OF ROSE HELLSTERN
Source: Alton Democrat (9-16-1943)
Born: 1867
Died: 1943
Funeral services were held Friday morning at the St. Mary’s Church for Mrs. Rose Hellstern, with Father David McGoey officiating at the Mass. Pallbearers were Mr. F.T. McGill, J.H. Kerns, Dr. C.J. Schroeder, E.J. Seanian, John Fitzgerald and James Walpole, Mrs. Hellstern passed away at the St. Joseph’s Hospital in Sioux City after a 5 week illness.
Rose Hellstern was born in Westphalia, Michigan, December 15, 1867. The family later moved to Loretta, Tennessee. She moved with her parents to Rock Valley in 1887 and was married to Thomas Hellstern, February 13, 1889. Her husband preceded her in death several years ago. She was a faithful member of St. Mary’s Church and belonged to the Catholic Daughters of America and the Altar Society.
She is survived by five daughters, Mrs. Gordon Wilson, Mrs. Bert Kessler, Mrs. Anna Mursey, Miss Alberta Hellstern, all of Sioux City and Mrs. Charles Aldrich, Hansmond, Montana and two sons, Edward of Rock Valley and William of Noupt, Idaho. One brother, William Kramer of St. Henry, Ohio and 17 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Picture from St. Mary’s book.

Sioux Biographies maintained by Linda Ziemann.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen