Gaspar, Michael 'Mike' 1851-1939 & Mary Dondelinger Family

GASPAR, DONDELINGER, WELTER, BUECHER

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 12/29/2023 at 09:18:32

Gaspar, Michael ‘Mike’ 1851-1939 and Mary Dondelinger Family

This family story was taken from the Alton St. Mary’s Catholic Church Book 1883-1983 page 142.
The story was transcribed for this BIOS by Wilma J. Vande Berg of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society. Some research notes have been added.

Mike Gaspar Sr. born in 1851 was married to Mary Dondelinger and he died in 1939. Mary was born in 1851 and she died in 1904.

They had six children: Emma was born in 1883 and died in 1904. Kathryn was born in 1883 and died in 1920. Mary was born in 1886 and died in 1969. Susan was born in 1888 and died in 1973. Nicholas was born in 1890 and died in 1891 and Mike Jr. was born 1892 and died in 1968. Emma married Peter Feller of Oyens and she is buried in St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Oyens, along side of her daughter Mary Cecelia who was born September 29, 1903 and died November 28, 1903.

The Gaspars farmed east of Alton and later Mary, Susan and Mike built a new home in Alton and retired. They spent the winters in Florida. They are buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Alton.

RESEARCH Notes: From a family report on ancestry.com submitted by other than this submitter.
Michael Fay Gaspar was born 1 Dec 1851 Dubuque, Dubuque, IA and died 21 Dec 1939 Alton IA. His parents were Jean Nicolas Gasper born 14 Oct 1810 Diekirch, Luxembourg and died 20 Dec 1889 Mosalem, Dubuque, IA and Catherine Welter born 31 Jul 1818 Luxembourg and died 11 Feb 1903 Mosalem, Dubuque, IA. Michael married Mary Dondelinger 28 Feb 1881 St. Donatus, IA.

Mary Dondelinger was born 19 March 1851 St. Donatus, IA and died 11 Nov 1904 Alton IA. She was the daughter of Jacob Dondelinger born 10 Aug 1824 Mensdorf, Luxembourg and died 28 Feb 1898 LeMars IA, and Anna Maria Buecher born 11 Nov 1822 Graach, Rheinland, Germany and died Sep 2, 1913 Alton IA. Michael and Mary had six children.

CHILDREN - found in local obituaries on this web page and family information on ancestry.com.

1. Emma Gaspar born 1883 died 1904 Oyens IA married Peter Feller. Emma is buried in St. Catherine’s cemetery Oyens IA along with her daughter Mary Cecelia 1903-1904

2. Catherine Gaspar born 16 May 1883 Alton IA, and died 15 Feb 1920 Alton IA. See the obituary of Miss Catherine / Katherine Gaspar on this web page. It does not give much additional information.

3. Mary Eva Gaspar born 22 Mar 1886 Alton IA and died Jun 1969 Saint Lucie FL. Find A Grave lists Mary Eva Gaspar as born Mar 1886 Sioux County IA, died 8 Jun 1969 Fort Pierce, St. Lucie Co. FL. She was buried at Alton IA.

4. Susan Gaspar born 25 Sep 1888 Alton IA and died 16 Mar 1973 Orange, FL. Find A Grave lists Susan Gaspar born 25 Sep 1888 Sioux County IA died 16 Mar 1973 Orlando FL, buried St. Mary’s Alton IA.

5. Nicklaus Gaspar born 27 Jun 1890 Alton IA and died 10 Dec 1891 Alton IA. See his death notice in the Alton Democrat paper of Dec 19, 1891. He was sick with lung fever and died at six months.
6. Michael Joseph Gaspar born 11 Nov 1892 Alton IA and died 1 Jun 1968 Alton IA. His very brief obituary was in the Sioux Center News of Jun 6, 1968, services at St. Mary’s burial in church cemetery. He evidently was single.

OBITUARY of Mike Gaspar, Sr. 1851-1939
Gaspar, Mike born 1851 died 1939 father buried in the St. Mary’s cemetery Alton IA as listed in the Sioux County IA cemetery index.
Alton Democrat Dec 29, 1929
MIKE GASPAR DIES AT HOME NEAR ALTON
Broke Sod On His Farm In Early days
Michael Caspar, well known pioneer of the Alton vicinity, passed on in his 88th year Thursday
at his home four miles southeast of Alton.
Mr. Gaspar was born Dec 1, 1851 at Dubuque IA. In 1881 he was untied in marriage to Mary Dondelinger of St. Donatus IA. In the spring the couple moved to a farm south east of Sibley where they lived for a year, then moved to a farm south of Granville. During that year they bought the farm east of Alton which is still the family home. The land was at the time virgin prairie and Mr. Gaspar broke the sod and planted the first crop on the land which is now a finely improved modern farm.
Six children were born to the union of whom three survive: Mary, Susan and Mike, who cared for their father in his declining years. One child died in infancy and twin sisters have also passed on Emma (Mrs. Peter Feller) on Feb. 21, 1904 and Kathryn on Feb. 15. .1920. Mrs. Caspar died on Nov. 5,1904 a few months after her daughter Emma, in March of the same year the family moved to Alton where they lived for eight years, returning in 1912 to their farm home.
Mr. Gaspar had been in failing health for some months before his death. In May he was taken to Little Rock Ark. For treatment and returned somewhat improved. He did not give up easily, and until a few months before his passing continued to take pleasure in assisting with chores about the farm. He was a man of many friends always ready to do a kindness to those in need of a helping hand and was widely known for his integrity and square dealing as well as for his industry and good judgment in farming.
Solemn requiem mass was held at St. Mary’s church in his memory. Tuesday morning at 9:30, with Very Rev. Neppel acting as celebrant, the Very Rev. Schemmel of Remsen deacon, Rev. Pick of Le Mars sub-deacon and Rev. Reising of Granville master of ceremonies.
Among the many relatives and friends here from away for the services were (long list followed in newspaper obit.)

OBITUARY of Mary Dondelinger Mrs. Mike Gaspar 1851-1904
Gaspar, Mary born 1851 died 4 May 1904 buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery Alton IA , as listed in the Sioux county IA cemetery index.
Alton Democrat of Nov 12, 1904
Mrs. Michael Gasper died at her home in Alton near the midnight hour Friday night after an illness of nearly two years. She was a patient sufferer and at the close of this life passed away with a peaceful smile and firm reliance of the future life.
Deceased was born in Jackson county this state on March nineteen 1851 and was married to Michael Gasper at St. Donatus February twenty eighth 1881 and moved to Sioux county the same year settling on a farm east of Alton, about a year ago the family moved to town.
Mary Dondelinger was deceased's maiden name and she was a faithful member of the catholic church and was a consistent Christian throughout her life. She leaves to mourn her loss her husband and daughters Catherine, Mary and Susanna and one son Michael and her mother Mrs. Dondelinger of LeMars. A daughter Emma died some eight or nine months ago thus the family have been doubly afflicted within a year's time.
The funeral services were conducted Monday morning at nine o'clock by Very Rev. Brune who paid an excellent tribute to the deceased. The attendance at the funeral was large. The passing away of Mrs. Gaspar leaves a vacancy in the home that can never be filled and the heartfelt sympathy of the community goes out to the bereaved ones.