Mrs. Louise Rehkopf ~ 1839-1920

REHKOPF, SIEMON, HARRIS, MEREDITH, TRUMBO, MITCHELL, BURNETT, DAVIS, ANSON, BRITTAIN, CRAIG

Posted By: Volunteer - Rhonda Rankin Rowe
Date: 2/7/2002 at 06:03:28

Mrs. Louise Rehkopf

Louise, daughter of Henry J. and Marie Christina Siemon, was born November 1st, 1839, in the province of Wernigerode, Prussia, Germany, and died of heart failure and acute indigestion at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Anna H. Meredith, in Bonaparte, Iowa, April, 12, 1920, aged eighty years, five months and eleven days.

When fourteen years of age she came with her parents to the United States, locating in Wisconsin; from there they moved to Van Buren County where the rest of her life has been spent. She was united in marriage to Augustus C. Rehkopf Oct. 11, 1860, at Keosauqua, Iowa, living in and near Bentonsport until his death Jan. 20, 1905.

Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rehkopf: two daughters, Mary Louise Harris and Amelia M. preceded her in death. Nine children are left to mourn the loss of a loving mother: Anna H. Meredith of Bonaparte, Iowa; Augusus (sic) H. of San Diego, Calif.; Fred of Monrovia, Calif.; Caroline E. Trumbo, of Bentonsport, Iowa; William G. of Chino, Calif.; Louise Mitchell of Okmulgee, Oklahoma; Albert L. of Bentonsport, Iowa; Charles E. of Milton, Iowa; and Elsie E. Burnett of Des Moines, Iowa. Besides raising her own children, she also cared for her granddaughter, Elizabeth Harris Davis, who was left an orphan at the age of eight years, being a mother to her for years.

She has twenty-five grandchildren and one great grandchild. Also three sisters and four brothers: Eliza Anson of Monrovia, Calif.; Henrietta Brittain of Wasco, Calif.; Emma Craig of Keosauqua, Iowa; Henry C. Siemon, of Mankato, Kansas; William of Ontario, Calif., Herman of Kilbourne, Iowa and Albert of Wenatchee, Washington.

Mrs. Rehkopf was a member of the German Lutheran Church all her life until she moved to Bonaparte several years ago, when she transferred her membership to the M.E. Church of this place. Her health would not permit her to attend church as she wished, but she spent much of her time reading and studying her Bible.

Although obliged to remain at home, she kept happily employed, especially during war times, when she made a splendid record knitting for the soldier boys.

Funeral services were held at the home on Saturday afternoon, Rev. McCracken officiating, assisted by Rev. Coppoc. Interment in the Bentonsport Cemetery.

Source; Iowa Rankin and Jenny Matheson newspaper clippings