Mrs. Kate Brunner -- 1848 - 1909

BRUNNER, KNAPPE, MAXON, KESSLER, BRANDENBURG, RUFFRIDGE, DAVIS, BARTH, MERFELD, MACHAMER, BORATH, ROSBERG

Posted By: Susan Rezek (email)
Date: 10/3/2010 at 23:57:14

The Iowa Recorder, Greene, Butler County Iowa, Wednesday, February 3, 1909
Mrs. Kate Brunner Dead
Passed away at her home in this city Sunday morning.
Will be Greatly Missed by all Members of the Lutheran Church, especially by the Sunday School.
Again we are called upon to chronicle the death of a well known person. This time it is of Mrs. Kate Brunner, who has been suffering with gastric troubles for several months. The news of the death of this good woman did not come to her wide scope of friends as a surprise, as they all knew of her severe illness and her fast failing health, but all mourn wth sorrow her departure from their midst. She was well liked by all who knew her, and was a devoted member of the Lutheran church for a number of years. She will be especially missed by the children of her Sunday school class, of which she was a faithful teacher for a long time. Her departure from this earth to the pearly gates in Heaven came Sunday morning at 2 o'clock, peacefully going to sleep as a babe would in the arms of its mother. The funeral services were held at the Lutheran church Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock, conducted by Rev. Knappe in both English and German language, improved with a song by the church choir and duets by Miss Frieda and Mr. Fred Maxon and the Misses Kessler and Brandenburg. The casket was covered with beautiful flowers sent by her many friends, by her relatives, by the Ladies' Aid Society and by the Sunday School, who deeply mourn the loss of this beloved woman. Interment was made in Rosehill cemetery. After the English discourse the following obituary was read by Rev. Knappe.
Katherine Ruffridge was born in Perth County, Canada, on the 20th of July 1848, where she was baptized and confirmed. On September 11, 1866, she was married to Michael Brunner and a year later moved to Winneshiek County, Iowa. In 1876 they moved to Greene. Only a few years later, on the 2nd day of August in 1896, the Lord called her husband from her.
Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Brunner, of whom two of them preceded the mother to the grave. Emma, the late Mrs. Davis, whose earthly remains were laid to rest not many months ago, and Willie, who died in early childhood. The surviving children are: Jacob; Anna, married to J. Barth; Mary, to Mr. Merfeld; Maggie, married to Mr. Machamer; Lina, married to Mr. Borath; Katie; Audina, married to Chas. Rosberg; Michael and George.
The deceased enjoyed fairly good health until about two years ago when she was severely afflicted with gastric troubles. Her malady, the same to which she finally succumbed, thought as yet in its incipient stage, had already taken a deathly grip on its victim. It was about a year ago that she was again subjected to a severe attack of illness. Having tried all that medicine could do she finally sought help, or at least relief, in an operation in the hospital at Waverly. But in vain. The nature of her malady, though long before surmised, was now fully established and with it, especially in its advanced stage of development, the incurability of her illness. The decease knowing her end near asked for the Holy Communion, which was administered to her by her pastor on the 15th of January. It was last Saturday morning that she began failing rapidly, showing only too plainly to the sorrow stricken loved ones at her bedside that her dissolution was near at hand. At eleven o'clock at night she entered the valley of the shadow of death. The final struggle, out from which the Lord called the suffering home, came at two o'clock the Sunday morning following, to eternal Sabbath rest to attend worship in New Jerusalem.
Quiet as was the deceased in her days of health she proved such also in times of tribulation and bodily distress, showing genuine Christian composure and submittance under the will of God who leads His children as is best for them. She was a devoted member of the Lutheran church for many years, taking active interest in all the undertakings of the Ladies' Aid Society, for 13 years faithfully and diligently attending in the oft exacting duties of a Sunday school teacher. She is sorely missed not only by her relatives and kinsmen, but by us all. But we begrudge not her rest from pain, distress and the many vicissitudes of life but, though to tears of grief over the bereftment, rejoice with her over her being at home, at home forever, with her Lord and Savior. The decease reached an age of 60 years, 6 month and 10 days.