Helmers, Fred, 1839-1926

HELMERS, HANKEN

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:38

From the Rock Valley Bee, April 16, 1926:

DEATH OF FRED HELMERS OF DOON, IOWA
Was Father of Our Townsman, Herman Helmers

Fred Helmers, father of our townsman, Herman Helmers, passed away at his home in Doon Saturday evening, April 3. The following obituary has been handed in for publication.

Fred Helmers was born On December 7th, 1839, at Ederecht, Oldenburg, Germany. He was baptized in infancy and when 14 years of [age] confirmed in the doctrines of the Lutheran Church. On November 27, 1863 he was united in the bonds of Holy Marriage to Miss Abbalina[?] Hanken, who now survives him. When [in] 1866 the country was engaged in a war with Austria he served as a soldier.

On August 7, 1883, he left his native land and came to Clarksdale, Illinois. As soon as necessary arrangements were completed his family joined him. They took up farming and farmed near Clarksdale for nine years. Then they came to Sioux county and farmed in the vicinities of Rock Valley and Doon for many years. In 1906 he retired from farming and with his wife moved to Rock Rapids. After living in Rock Rapids for 14 years, on September 1[?], 1921, he moved to Doon where he has resided since.

Mr. Helmers enjoyed good health until the beginning of this year, when he suffered an attack of pneumonia. He gradually grew weaker and on April 3, at about 6:30 o’clock in the evening he departed this life, having attained the age of 86 years 3 months and 26 days.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Helmers was blessed with eight children, of whom three, two daughters and one son, having preceded him to eternity. The names of the surviving children are: Gehardt (known as George) of Taylorville, Illinois; (Anna) Mrs. Fred Howen of Milbank, South Dakota, (Mary) Mrs. Ed Searles, of Long Beach, California, Henry of Doon and Herman of Rock Valley.

Mr. Helmers was an industrious honest man and a very devoted christian. To his children the deceased was a devoted father and to his wife a faithful husband. Besides his wife and children he leaves 27 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren, many more distant relatives, many friends and a large circle of acquaintances to survive him.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the Doon Congregational Church, Rev. E. H. Jahr, of the Alvord Lutheran Church and Rev. Ed Goringer, of the Hull Lutheran Church officiating. A ladies quartette sang several beautiful selections. Interment was made in the Doon Cemetery.

* * * * * * * * * *

RESEARCH NOTES

His death certificate has Fred Helmers, born Dec. 5, 1839 in Germany; parents Gert Helmers and Anna Vettie[?]; occupation, retired farmer; wife Lena Hanken; resident of the United States 42 years and of Doon 5 years, 5 months, 7 days; died in Doon April 3, 1926 at 6:30 p.m.; cause, bronchitis, duration 4 months; contributory cause, mitrial[?] and aortic insufficiency; buried in Doon Township cemetery.

FindaGrave.com specifies Hillside Cemetery, Doon, with a photo of his headstone (“Father Fred 1839-1926”), and gives his wife’s full name, Abbelena Johanna Hanken Helmers (1837-1930).

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America register for Alvord (Ancestry.com) has him as Friederich Helmers, born 7 Dec 1839 in Oldenburg, Germany, died April 3 and buried April 6, 1926; survivors, wife, 3 sons, 2 daughters, 27 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren.