Wilhelmi, Emma (Mrs. John), 1889-1930

WILHELMI, FOUHSE, DEZOETE

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:32

From the Rock Valley Bee, August 22, 1930:
[portions of this obit are blurred or chipped away]

MRS. JOHN WILHELMI

Mrs. John Wilhelmi died at her home in Rock Valley Saturday noon. Some six months ago she suffered an attack of cancer and had been constantly failing in health.

Emma Anna Fouhse was born on a farm near Rock Valley in 1880 [i.e., 1889] and had attained the age of 41 years four months and seven days. In 1918 [i.e., 1908] she was united in marriage to Leo De Zoete and five children were born to this union. Four of them, Louisa, Leo, Frances and Catherine are still living, while [one died?] at the age of two years [and Mr. De Zoete?] died in 1920.

[Illegible] married John Wilhelmi. Four children were born to this union, one dying in infancy; the three who survive their mother are Angeline, [illegible], and Clarence.

Mrs. Wilhelmi has lived in Rock Valley practically all her life and her [friends are?] numbered by her acquaintances. Funeral services were [held] Sunday at St. Marys church in Rock Valley; interment was made in St. Mary’s cemetery.

Among those from a distance who attended the funeral services were Mr. and Mrs. Henry Rents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Swesoe[?], Mrs. Joe [Ro?]binet, and Mrs. Nick Kirsh, of Le Mars; Mr. and Mrs. August Gacke and family, and Ben Gacke, of Alvord; Mrs. Mary [missing] and Gary Gacke, Agnes Gacke, [missing] Gacke and daughter Veronica, [missing] Murphy and two daughters, Eleanor and Eva and son Nicholas [and] Mrs. Anna Sullivan, of Hull.

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From The Alton Democrat, August 29, 1930, Rock Valley news:

Funeral services were held at St. Mary’s Catholic church here on August 18 for the late Mrs. John Wilhelmi who passed away August 16 at her home here after an illness of six months.

Emma Anna Fouhse was born near here April 9, 1889, and was 41 years, 4 months and 7 days old at the time of her death. She was united in marriage to Leo De Zoete. Four children born to this union surviving, namely: Louisa, Leo, Frances and Catherine, Charles having died at the age of two years. In 1920 Mr. De Zoete died and she was married later to Mr. John Wilhelmi, four children being born to this union, Angeline, Dorothy and Clarence being surviving children, one dying in infancy.

Deceased had lived here all her life with the exception of a short period in Sioux Falls, S.D. A large number of friends regret her untimely passing and extend sympathy to the bereaved family.

Among those from out of town who attended the funeral services were Mr. and Mrs. Henry Rents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Swescoe, Mrs. Joe Robinet and Nick Kirsh of Le Mars; Mr. and Mrs. August Gacke and family and Ben Gacke of Alvord; Mrs. Mary Gacke, Gary Gacke, Agnes Gacke and Clarie[?] Gacke and daughter Veronica; Mrs. Dan Murphy and daughters Eleanor and Eva, and son Nicholas, and Mrs. Anna Sullivan, all of Hull.

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RESEARCH NOTES

The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Wilhelmi, Emma, b. 9 May 1889, d. 16 Aug 1930, St Marys Cem, Rock Valley IA. It also has entries for Leo De Zoete (1883/80-1914/16) and Charlie De Zoete (1914-1916). Leo’s obituary (posted separately) shows him dying in January 1916.

Her death certificate gives her full name, Emma Anna Wilhelmi; adds her parents, Mike Fouhes [Fouhse?], born in Germany, and Louisa Christina [no surname]. born in the Netherlands; and gives her death as 11:30 a.m. August 16, 1930, cause cancer of the rectum, onset about one year ago.

The Sioux County marriage register for 1908 shows groom Leo De Zoete, age 28, residence Rock Valley, a farmer, born in Belgium, parents Charles De Zoete and Agnes De Smet; bride Emma Fouhse, age 19, residence Rock Valley, born in Rock Valley, parents Michael Fouhse and Louisa Ter Sleer[?]; married in Rock Valley February 12, 1908.

An Iowa marriages index on Ancestry.com shows Emma Fouche De Zoete, age 30, parents Michael Fouche and Louisa Vest… marrying John Wilhelmi on 7 April 1920.