Bahr, Bertha (Mrs. Alfred), 1885-1936

BAHR, ROGERS, LESHER

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:36

From the Alton Democrat, September 25, 1936, Ireton news:

Mrs. Bertha Bahr died at her home here Tuesday morning, September 15 after several months illness. Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon from the Presbyterian church of which the deceased was a lifelong member. Burial was made in the family burial plot in Pleasant Hill. She was born near Ireton, September 20, 1885 and was graduated from the Ireton high school in 1902. On February 21, 1911 she was united in marriage to Alfred Bahr. Three children were born to this union who survive her, Roger and Mrs. Arnold Anderson of Estherville, Ia. and Robert of Whiting, Iowa.

Relatives from a distance to attend the funeral of Mrs. Bertha Bahr were Everett Rogers of Kelso, Washington, Mr. and Mrs. George Rogers, Mrs. Arnold Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Bahr, all of Esterville, Iowa, Robert Bahr of Whiting, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Noble of Craig and Mr. and Mrs. John Gimels of Schubert, Minnesota.

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From the Ireton Ledger, September 17, 1936:

Mrs. Bahr Dies; Rites Thursday
Had Been Confined Long to Home Here

Mrs. Bertha Bahr, 51, died at her home here Tuesday after a lingering illness which had confined her to her home for some time. Funeral services were to be at 3 p.m. Thursday at the Presbyterian church.

Bertha Isabell Rogers, daughter of George A. and Isabell Rogers, was born near Ireton Feb. 25, 1885. She was married Feb. 21, 1911, to Alfred Bahr and to them were born three children, all of whom survive.

She became a member of the Presbyterian church of Ireton at the time of its organization in 1902. She always was a faithful attendant at church services. During all her mature life she was a member of the Daughters of Rebekah, and held many offices in that order. Her sufferings during her prolonged sickness were intense, yet her minister says of her that “she was prepared in spirit for the great change that comes to all.”

Surviving are the three children, George R. Bahr and Mrs. Ella L. Anderson of Estherville, and Robert L. Bahr, three grandchildren, and three brothers, George S. Rogers of Estherville, Burtrum W. Rogers of Ireton, and Everette S. Rogers of Kelso, Washington.

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Hawarden Independent of Sep 24, 1936

Mrs. Bahr's Funeral Last Thursday

The funeral of Mrs. Bertha Bahr, which was held last Thursday afternoon from the Presbyterian church, brought out many friends and neighbors of the deceased. Rev. Harper preached a very comforting sermon to the hearers. The male quartet sang two numbers which was her request. "The Land of Beulah" was sung at her mother's funeral and the other song rendered by the quartet was "Asleep in Jesus." The pall bearers were Delbert Day, Henry Poll, George Brown, Merle Simons, Phil Walker and R. S. Miller.

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RESEARCH NOTES

Her death certificate has her as Bertha Bell Bahr; divorced, husband Alfred Bahr; born Sept. 15, 1885 at Ireton; parents George Rogers, born in Illinois, and Isabell Lesher, born in Wisconsin; died at 3 a.m. September 15, 1936; cause, carcinoma cervix, onset 1934; hysterectomy performed in September 1935.

The Sioux County Cemetery Index has her as Bertha I. Bahr, b. 1885, d. 1936, daughter, Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Ireton IA.

Her FindaGrave page gives her parents as George Andrew Rogers (1851-1918) and Isabella Lesher Rogers (1855-1911); lists six siblings; and gives her husband as Alfred L. Bahr (1886-1965). Alfred’s FindaGrave page gives his birth date as 22 July 1886 in Norway; died Nov. 1965; buried in Eldon Cemetery, Eldon, Missouri.

Reportage in area newspapers shows that Bertha sued for divorce in July 1919 on grounds of cruel and inhuman treatment, non-support, and desertion, and was granted the divorce (by default) and custody of their three children in September.