Matilda Elizabeth (Borchert) Burgess Cerka (1869-1949)

BORCHERT, BURGESS, CERKA, BOLT, DUNNE

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:13

From Nevada Evening Journal June 11, 1949 (page 4)

Funeral Services For Mrs. Cerka Held Wednesday

Funeral services were held in the Evangelical United Brethren church at Zearing Wednesday, June 8 for Mrs. Frank Cerka, 80, who passed away at the University hospital in Iowa City, were in charge of the local pastor, Rev. R. A. Dennert. Interment was in the Zearing mausoleum.

Mathilda Elizabeth Borchert, daughter of John H. and Ernestine Borchert, was born March 27, 1869 in Landsburg, Germany near Berlin, and died June 4 at the University Hospital in Iowa City where she was undergoing treatment for lymphatic leucocythemia. She was 80 years, two months and eight days old at her passing.

Mathilda came to America with her parents at the age of 11 years and settled in Story county three miles south east of Zearing where they lived until 1883 when they moved to Iola, Kansas where she lived for two years.

On March 17, 1886, she was united in marriage to William A. Burgess. To this union two children were born, Pearl Inez, and Sidney William who died at the age of 16 months. During their married life they lived at Lake View, Ia. until her husband died in 1896. She then kept her residence in Lake View where she supported herself and daughter as a seamstress.

Return to Zearing

On March 15, 1898 she was joined in marriage with Frank Cerka of Zearing. They returned to Zearing where Mr. Cerka was farming and continued farming in the Zearing vicinity until March 1, 1940, when they moved into town.

Due to ill health they moved to Le Mars in 1946 to the daughter Ruth's where they lived until April 2 of this year when they moved to the home of their son, Walter at Defiance.

She had been ill the last three weeks and at her request her son took her Iowa City hospital and it was while there her death came as the result of a lung hemorrhage.

Mr. and Mrs. Cerka were the parents of two sons, Vance Eli who died in 1915 at the age of 16 years, Walter Martin and Ruth Elizabeth.

Mr. and Mrs. Cerka joined the Evangelical church in 1904 during an Evangelical service and for many years Mrs. Cerka served as class leader, Sunday school teacher, sacramental steward and was active in the ladies organization, being interested always in the spiritual welfare of the church.

Celebrate Anniversaries

Mr. and Mrs. Cerka celebrated their fortieth wedding anniversary in Zearing and the 50h anniversary in LeMars at the home of their daughter. At this time her immediate family and many friends were present which gave her great satisfaction.

Mrs. Cerka is survived by her faithful husband, Frank Cerka, two daughters, Mrs. Pearl Bolt of Portales, New Mexico and Mrs. Eldon Dunne of LeMars and her son Walter of Defiance.

She also leaves five grandchildren, Lewis Harris of Bremerton, Wash., David, Beth and Frank of Defiance and Terry Dunne of Le Mars. She also leaves six nieces and nephews. Three brothers and five sisters preceded her in death.

Her greatest desire was for the welfare of her loved ones and she gave her life in their interest Her love and thoughtfulness extended beyond the bonds of her home to the many friends and relatives. She continued a keen interest in the affairs of the world to the last day of her life.

In attendance at the funeral from a distance were: Mrs. Ted Shirk, Mrs. Joe Daniels, Mrs. Ollie Pluckholm, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bauhert, and Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Shirk all of Carroll.

Mr. and Mrs. August Buske and Mrs. Verna Bunnell from Montezuma, Iowa, and Mrs. Linn Buske of Guernsey, Iowa, Loren Hoon of Minneapolis, Minn., Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Cerka of Colo, Mr. and Mrs. Maynard Jackson and Joan of Rhodes, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Burkley, Mrs. Florence Hartema, and Mrs. Otto Grahl of Ackley, and Mr. and Mrs. Will Renke of Geneva, Mrs. Elsie Hulsebus, Mrs. Sidney Hulsebus, Mrs. Louis Ahrenholtz, Mrs. Lee Ahrenholtz, Mrs. Perter Ahrenholtz of Defiance.