Andrew Melvin Picht (1887-1940)

PICHT, KUHN, VAIL

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 2/28/2021 at 14:08:58

From Nevada Evening Journal March 18, 1940 (page 6)

Funeral Services Held at Fernald for Andrew M. Picht

Special to the Journal.
Fernald, March 18--Funeral services for Andrew M. Picht were held in St. Paul's Lutheran church in Fernald at 2:30 o'clock Thursday, with W. H. Blancke in charge.

Mrs. Harold Handsaker and Mrs. V. L. Proctor sang three songs, "Jesus Saviour, Pilot Me," "Does Jesus Care?" and "Have Thine Own Way, Lord," with Mrs. C. F. Wilson at the piano.

The pallbearers were Ira Vail, Henry Chitty, Lester Chitty, Fred Chitty, Guy French and Lee French.

The beautiful floral offerings were in charge of Mrs. Leslie Toot and Mrs. Lester Chitty.

Andrew Melvin Picht, son of John and Clara Picht, was born March 29, 1887 at the farm home in Richland township, Story county, Iowa, and passed away on the same farm March 12, 1940, at the age of 52 years, 11 months and 12 days.

The second of a family of eight children, six of whom with the mother, Mrs. Clara Picht of Fernald, survive him, the father and one sister preceding him in death. He grew to manhood and with the exception of sixteen years, spent all of his life in this community.

On November 20, 1887, he received infant baptism in St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church. On Sept. 28, 1902, he confirmed the baptismal vows of his parents in the same church, and remained a member until his death, although for several years he has been unable to attend services.

On Aug. 12, 1908, he was united in marriage to Ina E. Kuhn at her home in Fernald. To this union, three children were born, Clifford of near Fernald, Helen, now Mrs. Luther Vail of Sioux City, and Andrew, Jr., at home. The wife, the three children and four grandchildren are left to mourn his passing.

In the spring of 1915, the family moved to a farm in Kittson county, Minn., where they lived until the fall of 1920, when they sold their farm and moved to Orleans, Minn. In 1926, Mr. Picht's health began to fail, and in the fall of 1930 the family moved back to Story county. Medical and surgical skill failed to restore his health, and he was unable to walk alone for the past eleven years. He was cared for by the loving hands which made his life as comfortable and pleasant as possible. He responded with patience and cheerfulness that won the admiration and love of all who knew him.

Always a friendly, helpful neighbor, a kind and considerate husband and father, he will be missed by all who knew him, but especially by those who have cared for him so devotedly and tenderly, yet, we would not wish to awaken him from that rest and peace which had been so long denied him. He was laid to rest in the Nevada cemetery on March 14, 1940.

Relatives from out-of-town that were present for the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Howard Picht, of Shell Rock; Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Picht and family of Lake City; Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Picht and Kenneth Picht of Iowa Falls; Russel Picht of Alden; Frank Kuhn of Rodman, Ia.; Mrs. Sarah Kuhn and Harold Kuhn of Rockwell; Mr. and Mrs. Hillis Hudson of Hampton; Mrs. Ellen Cline of Eagle Grove; Mrs. Alvina Apple of Lake Crystal, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. D. F. Exline of Floyd, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Newhouse, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Newhouse of Ames, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Alderman and Mrs. and Mrs. Ernest French of south of Nevada.