Mousel, Susan (Mrs. Ferdinand) 1859-1946

MOUSEL, HANSEN, KONZ

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke--Volunteer
Date: 3/14/2017 at 16:54:01

Source: Alton Democrat (12-5-1946)

Born: July 28, 1859
Died: 1946

MRS. FERDINAND MOUSEL--- PIONEER SETTLER OF ANTON PASSES--- CAME BY COVERED WAGON AND OX TEAM IN 1870

Mrs. Susan Hnsen Mousel nee Susan Konz, the last survivor of a group of 42 pioneers who came to this vicinity by covered wagon in 1870, passed on at St. Bernard’s Hospital in Council Bluffs at four o’clock Friday afternoon following a brief illness. She was 87 years, 4 months and 5 days of age.

Mrs. Mousel was born in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Europe July 26, 1859, and came to this country with her parents in 1865. The family settled in Jackson County, Iowa where they lived for five years. In the spring of 1870 at the age of 11 she accompanied her parents to Sioux County to make a home on the prairie, the party traveling to the southeastern part of the county by covered wagon and teams of oxen. February 18, 1879 Miss Konz was married to Peter Hansen whose family came in the same caravan. The wedding took place in a small Catholic Church in Hospers. Father Meis of Le Mars driving there from Le Mars to perform the ceremony.

After their marriage the couple located on a farm three miles east of Alton where they lived until they moved to Alton 13 years before Mr. Hansen’s death in October, 1928. September 9, she was married to Ferdinand Mousel and resided at Alton until his death.

Mrs. Hansen was the devoted mother of 14 children, of whom 11 survive, residing in this vicinity and at Dell Rapids, South Dakota. They are Frances (Mrs. John Klein), Nicholas, John, Leo, Mike, Anna (Mrs. Guckenberger), Peter J., Bernard, George, Mathilda (Mrs. Schuver) and Clara (Mrs. Victor Schneider).

She was preceded in death by her husband and 3 children: Mathew, 13, Helen, in infancy and Odilo who died in the service of his country in World War I. She was a Gold Star Mother of this war. Also surviving are 63 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Mousel was a charter member of the Rosary Society of St. Mary’s Church and long active in church and community work. Her passing closes the notable career of perhaps the last of the pioneer mothers in the county, for as far as we know she was the earliest living pioneer settler, most of the pioneers having come a year or two later.

Funeral services were held Monday morning in charge of Very Reverend Neppel, with interment in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Six grandsons were pallbearers. Many long time friends from neighboring towns were present besides those from Anton.