Robert Leroy Baldus (1919-1935)

BALDUS, HEERS

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 8/3/2024 at 20:14:52

From Story City Herald June 13, 1935 (page 1)

ROBERT BALDUS DIED SATURDAY

Infection Brought Death to Youth--Funeral Held Tuesday Afternoon

The funeral of Robert Baldus, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Baldus was held in the Grace church Tuesday afternoon, death having come to him Saturday night from a carbuncle infecting his back after a comparatively brief illness.

The death of the young man, struck down in the prime of youth, touched the community deeply. This was evidenced by the large concourse of people who came to the funeral and by the uncommonly large and beautiful floral tributes.

The pallbearers were: Milford Cole, Joel Jacobson, Willard Johnson, Dwight Brown, Kenneth Bickelhaupt and Irving Baldus. The singing was by a quartet of boys from the high school, namely, Arnold Anderson, Martin Michel, Paul Donhowe and Hubert Egenes, with Vernon Anderson at the piano. Rev Bergeman officiated and took as his text: "Remember now they Creator in the days of thy youth, before the evil days come and thou sayst I have no pleasure in them."

Members of the coming year's sophomore class of the local high school, together with teachers, occupied the chairs on the choir platform, and members of the future farmer class and the 4-H club were seated with the mourners.

Interment was made at the Center cemetery, close by the Baldus homestead.

Besides the floral tributes, considerable money was given to Evangelical missions in Africa by members of the Heers family and by a number of the neighbors.

Among those from a distance at the funeral were: Dr. and Mrs. Walter Heers of Atlantic; Mrs. Carl Kennedy of Clarinda; Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Blink of Scranton; Harl Manges of Hayward, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Birney and Mr. and Mrs. Ira Christenson and Paul and Marjorie of Des Moines; Mr. and Mrs. Art Miller, Mrs. Frank Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Ned Collins and W. W. Miller of Cumming.

Obituary

Robert LeRoy Baldus, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Baldus, came to gladden their home on the 29th day of August, 1919, and after spending 15 years with his parents, our heavenly Father translated him and received him into that home not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, on last Saturday night, June 8, 1935. Thus the short span of this precious life is cut off after he had made his contribution to society and the kingdom of God on earth. "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." "As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; to such who keep in covenant, and to bless those that remember his commandment to do them."

In infancy he was consecrated to the Lord by the rite of holy baptism on June 13, 1920. He was reared in a Christian home under the influence of the Church and then united with Grace Evangelical church upon completing the prescribed course in Christian doctrine on Dec. 24, 1933. He was a very faithful attendant, not having been absent in Sunday school for past 16 months, and manifested a splendid interest in spiritual things. He was possessed of that fine Christian unselfish spirit which caused him to be very thoughtful of loved ones and others. He was also a trustworthy boy, very diligent and industrious, with splendid ambitious and therefore highly regarded by his associates and such who knew him. As a member of his Sunday school class he manifested a rather unusual interest for a boy of his age.

He had completed his first year of high school work with credit and gave promise of a successful career and was popular with the other members of the class. He endeared himself with all who learned to know him. He will be greatly missed by his associates because of his genial disposition and splendid Christian character.

He had been in his usual state of good health until about a week prior to his passing. Altho not feeling very well, he attended the Sunday school session on his last Sunday on earth, but his illness soon became very grave and almost from the beginning fears were being entertained about his recovery. All that loving hands and medical skill were able to do was of no avail. Despite the fact that his physical condition grew rapidly worse he never complained, but bore it with Christian fortitude. In place of seeking comfort from others he comforted them and readily expressed his unfailing faith in the Lord.

He leaves to mourn his untimely death his parents; two sisters, Mildred and Helen; his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Baldus and Mr. and Mrs. Frank W. Heers, besides many other near relatives and a host of youthful friends.

"I tell you he has not died,
He lives and breathes with you,
He walks here now at your side
He tells you things are true;
Why dream of flowered sod
When you can feel his breath,
When flower and soul and God
Know there is no death!
I tell you he has not died,
His hands clasp yours and mine,
He is now but glorified,
He has become divine;
He lives! He knows! He sees!
He shouts with every breath:
"All is eternal life; through Jesus Christ
There is no death!"
"There is a land where beauty cannot fade.
Nor sorrow dim the eye;
Where true love shall not droop no be dismayed,
And none shall ever die."