Lutjens, Maria Christina, Mrs. John H., 1858-1947

LUTJENS, NINTZEL

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/27/2010 at 20:35:20

OBITUARY OF MRS. JOHN H. LUTJENS OF BOYDEN -- DEATH CAME AT HER HOME AT THE AGE OF 89 YEARS, 8 MONTHS, 6 DAYS; WAS BORN IN GERMANY

Mrs. Maria Christina Lutjens was born as the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Nintzel, near Cadenberge, Province Hannover, Germany. The date of her birth was February 25th, 1858. Soon thereafter she was received into the membership of the church through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. In April 1872 she was confirmed in the church at Cadenberge.

In April 1877 she and her parents emigrated to this country arriving here in this community [Hull]. As was customary for many in those early years, the first stop-over was at the Frederick Kruse home. Twelve days after the arrival her father passed away.

On July 17th, 1877, she was united in marriage to Mr. John H. Lutjens. The Lord blessed the union with ten children. Two sons and one daughter preceded the departed into eternity. Upon their marriage the couple made their home on a farm three miles north of Boyden. Here they lived until their retirement in 1921. From then on the deceased made her home in Boyden. Her husband was called from life on January 13, 1938.

For the past fifteen years the departed has been hard of hearing and during these latter years completely deaf. In addition to this affliction she suffered a broken hip in January of 1942. She was bed-fast for months and after that never regained her ability to walk. She always needed the assistance of someone. She was fortunate in that she was interested in reading. In this, too, she was handicapped, especially during this past year due to failing eyesight. In this connection may we add a word of tribute to the noble and self-sacrificing work which her daughter Margaret performed in behalf of her mother.

On Wednesday, October 29th, the departed took suddenly ill. It did not appear serious. However, from Friday noon on it was apparent that soon the Lord would call this aged servant home to eternal rest, the longing for which she often expressed. She answered His summons late Saturday afternoon, November 1st. She was the oldest member of the St. John's congregation north of Boyden, and one of the oldest in that community. Her age was 89 years, 8 months, and 6 days.

She leaves to mourn her death, seven children: Margaret at home; John of Hull; Mrs. Anna Sohl of Matlock; Bertha (Mrs. Herman Schoeneman) of Boyden; Emma (Mrs. John Tiedemann) of Rock Rapids; Minnie (Mrs. Carl Stueven) of Sheldon; Marie at home; and 19 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren.

Source: Sioux County Index (Hull), Nov. 13, 1947.