Frantzen, Catherine (Mrs. Peter Sr.) 1853-1925

FRANTZEN, STEICHEN

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke--Volunteer
Date: 3/8/2017 at 21:26:57

Source: Alton Democrat (4-17-1925)

Birth: May 5, 1853
Death: April 12, 1925

The death of Mrs. Peter Frantzen Sr., at her home four miles south of Alton, on Easter Sunday was a severe blow to her many relatives and friends. Although her life had been despaired of several weeks ago it did not lessen the sting nor the sorrow when the dark hour came. Mrs. Frantzen was a sufferer from liver trouble for 3 months. All that medical skill and loving hands could do to prolong her life and relieve her suffering was done but to no avail. She seemed to be sinking rapidly until the end which came sooner than expected.

Mrs. Frantzen's maiden name was Catherine Steichen, born in Koenzig, Luxemburg, Europe on May 5, 1853; came to this country 5 years later, settling at La Crosse, Wisconsin; moving to Bellevue, Iowa, later on at the age of eighteen. The family moved to this part of the state two years afterwards.

She was united in marriage with Peter Frantzen at Le Mars, Iowa. They at once went to housekeeping on the present estate then only a little two-room shack homestead by Mr. Frantzen. Their first five years, crops were mostly hailstorms and grasshoppers with little to eat and little to wear, the nearest trading station being Le Mars 17 miles away. Method of transportation was on foot or by oxen, each taking about the same length of time often getting lost as there were no trails. Often she related the hardships and joys of pioneer life especially prairie fires that came quite regular. She possessed natural cheery disposition, yet very sympathetic.

Fourteen children were born, of whom seven are living, Mrs. Frank Ginsbach, Dell Rapids, South Dakota, Sister M. Fidelia, Ossian, Iowa; Mrs. Carl Baune, Alton, Iowa; Joseph Frantzen, New Hampton, Iowa; Mrs. John Fisch, Pipestone, Minnesota; Peter Jr., Alton; Nicholas, Dell Rapids, South Dakota all of whom attended the funeral. There are 25 grandchildren.

Relatives from a distance who attended the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. A. De Frang, Henrietta, Minnesota; Mrs. Anna Justen, Fredericksburg, Iowa; Miss Susan Jacobs, Bancroft, Iowa; Mrs. J. Frantzen, New Hampton, Iowa; Mrs. Louise Schneider, Dubuque, Iowa; J.P. Frantzen, Dubuque, Iowa; Henry Frantzen, Le Mars; Peter, Sophia, Celesta, Josephine and Lee and Emil Frantzen, Hospers; J.N. Streff, Flandreau, South Dakota; John Fisch, Pipestone, Minnesota; Frank Ginsbach, Dell Rapids, South Dakota. The pallbearers were Peter and John Frantzen, John and Nicholas Steichen, Martin and Aloysius Streff, all nephews of the deceased.