John Peter CHRISTIANS

CHRISTIANS, GABRANTS, ALBERTS, ENNEGA, SMITH, NEUBERGER, TIBBETS, CHRISTENSEN, WILSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:58

December 5, 1870 --- January 22, 1954

Last Rites Were Monday For John Christians, 83
Had Farmed Near Klemme Since 1912

Funeral services were held at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon from the Immanuel Evangelical and Reformed Church for John P. Christians with Rev. Vernon E. Jaberg in charge.

Mr. Christians, who was born in Germany, came to America when he was 15 years old, settling first in Illinois, and then coming to Klemme in 1912. He had been in good health until about a year ago when he began to fail, death finally coming on Friday, January 22, after he had reached the age of 83 years.

Interment was in the Ell Township Cemetery at Klemme and Mr. Christians was born to his final resting place by Wynton Christians, John Christians, William Neuberger, Jr., Clarence Christians, LeRoy Merkel, and Gary Smith.Funeral arrangements were in charge of the Wellemeyer Funeral Service of Klemme.

Klemme Times --- Klemme, Iowa
27 January 1954

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Mr. John Christians

Mr. John Peter Christians whose departure from this life is sincerely regretted and sorrowfully mourned by his family, neighbors and friends was born on December 5, 1870 in Emden in the province of Ostfriesland in Germany.

He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Christians. His mother's maiden names was Miss Hebo Gabrants, and John was one of four children born to his parents. He received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism as an infant in the local Lutheran Church of Emden. He attended the schools of his community in Germany. As a youth he was received into the fellowship of the Christian Church by the rite of the Christian Confirmation in the Emden Lutheran Church.

As a young man of fifteen years he left Germany and came to America and settled in Hartsburg, Illinois where he found employment on a farm. He was able to continue to pursue his education in the public schools of Hartsburg.

Mr. John Chritians was united in the bond of Holy matrimony with Miss Sena Alberts on February 23, 1897. God in his providence blessed this marriage with five children: Peter, Harm, Grace, Edward, and John. Mrs. Christians was called to her eternal home in 1905. Mr. Christians was united in marriage with Miss Christine Ennega on September 8, 1909, and to this union was blessed with ten children: Karsjens, Anna, Emma, Henrietta, Sena, Harold, Elsie, Duane; and Eldon and Adam who died as infants.

In the year 1912, Mr. and Mrs. Christians moved to Hancock County in Iowa, where they began farming on a farm two miles north and four miles east of Klemme. Mr. Christians was a very industrious farmer and a very cooperative neighbor and member of the community.

Mr. Christians was a member of the Immanuel Evangelical and Reformed Church of Klemme and at one time served the church in the office of Elder. He read the word of God each day and followed closely the church paper published in the German language, known as Der Friedensbote and Kirchenzeitung. He attended the worship services in the church until his health began to fail, which was approximately a year ago. During the past year the church has brought its ministry to Mr. Christians.

For the past six years Mr. Christians has made his home with his son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Duane Christians and family. During the past three weeks he has received the care of a nurse, Mrs. Hattie Holck of Kanawha.

On January 21, Mr. Christians was taken to the Belmond Hospital and it was there that he was called to His Eternal Reward on Friday, January 22, having attained the age of 83 years, 1 month and 17 days.

Mr. Christians is survived by sons, Peter of Ventura, Edward of Klemme, and John of Denver, Colorado. He is also survived by Karsjens of Edina, Missouri; Anna, Mrs. Lloyd Smith of Hines, Minnesota; Emma, Mrs. William Neuberger of Ventura; Henrietta, Mrs. Art Tibbets of Clear Lake; Sena, Mrs. LaVern Christensen of Ventura; Harold of Klemme; Elsie, Mrs. Bill Wilson of Ventura, and Duane of Klemme. He is also survived by sons-in-law and daughters-in-law and by thirty one grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren and by many other relatives and dear friends. Mr. Christians was preceded in death by his parents, his first and second wives, children, Harm and Grace and infant sons, Eldon and Adam. He was also preceded in death by sisters, Katie and Anna, and by one brother, Edward.

Klemme Times --- Klemme, Iowa
27 January 1954