Rosina Ritter Mahler

RITTER, MAHLER, KING, HAYS, WILLIAMSON, DEA, THERESA, BREWSTER, ALEXANDER

Posted By: Jean Wenke, volunteer
Date: 2/26/2009 at 17:51:46

Rosina Ritter, daughter of Eva Hilb and Wendell Ritter, was born in Bavaria, Germany, near Frankfort on the Rhine, Feb. 2, 1848. She was one of four children, and when 12 years old came to America with her parents. They located on a farm near Bonaparte. Rosina, however, spent most of her time with an aunt in Chicago. When on a visit with her folks in Bonaparte at the age of 17 she met her future husband. She was married Oct. 15, 1865, to Maximillian Sigmund Mahler. Mr. Mahler had already bought a farm three miles north of Bonaparte, where they established their home. To them were born 11 children, eight daughters and three sons, Edmund C., who died in Polson, Mont., in 1930; Mary who died in October, 1928. The seven daughters and two sons who are living are, Mrs. Rosa King of Des Moines, Mrs. Jennie Hays of Grinnell, Mrs. Kathryn Williamson of Farmington, Iowa; Mrs. Anna Dea of Richland, Mont., Mrs. Theresa Nass of Glasgow, Mont.; Mrs. Pauline Brewster, Mrs. Emma Alexander, Frank Mahler and Fred Mahler of Bonaparte, Iowa.

The husband and father died, Dec. 6, 1904, at the age of 62 years. Mrs. Mahler continued to live on the home farm most of the time until 12 years ago, when she bought property in east Bonaparte and moved to town. Failing strength during the past year made it necessary for her to give up active home work, and she was in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Oscar Brewster when, on Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 20, 1943, she peacefully passed from this life to the home eternal. Had she lived until Feb. 2, she would have reached the age of 95 years.

Besides the children above mentioned she leaves 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Also nieces and nephews. Her brother, Frank Ritter and sister, Mrs. Margaret Rigler, were long residents of this community. She was the last of the original Ritter family who were pioneers in this county.

Mrs. Mahler was devoted to her family and her home, finding contentment in the homely duties that accompany pioneer living and the raising of a large family. She had an understanding mind and was a real friend and neighbor. She was gradually worn out with age, yet was mentally alert to the last.

She was baptized and reared in the Catholic faith, and was a charter member of St. Boniface church in Farmington where her funeral was held Saturday morning, Jan. 23. The Rev. D. V. Duggan celebrated the requiem high mass, pronounced the burial absolution and preached the sermon. Bearers were, Frank and Donald Mahler, Oscar Brewster, Roy Williamson, George Rigler and James Cassaidy.

From Dorothy Watson's scrapbook, Bonaparte, Iowa Library