Nicholas C. "Nic" Duerst (1856-1940)

BEACH, CAMPBELL, DAVIS, DUERST, GRIFFITH, HANSON, KUNDORT, LUTZ, SLAIKEU

Posted By: Eileen Reed (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:53

July 6, 1856 --- February 24, 1940

PIONEER FROM GOLDFIELD DIES

N. C. Duerst Rites Held: Interment Made in Glenwood

GOLDFIELD— N. C. Duerst, 83, a pioneer resident of this vicinity, died at his home here Saturday afternoon following an illness.

Mr. Duerst was a retired farmer, having resided on a farm west of town for many years.

He was an active member of the Fountain City Masonic lodge until failing health kept him from attending the meetings regularly.

He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Jessie D. Hanson, with whom he made his home, and three grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Monday at the Methodist church at 2:30 p. m., with the Rev. T. S. Bassett, pastor of the church, in charge. Burial made in the family lot at Glenwood cemetery.

Globe-Gazette --- Mason City, Iowa
February 26, 1940

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Goldfield Local News

Duerst Funeral Held Monday

After a lingering illness of several years, Nicholas C. Duerst passed away quietly, suddenly just after noon on Saturday, Feb. 24, at his home in Goldfield. He had been particularly weak since last fall, so that his going was not a surprise to either the relatives or friends.

Mr. Duerst was one of the early settlers of this region, having come from Wisconsin in 1876, and knew the pioneer life of this community. A careful manager and a good planner, he not only made a livelihood, but accumulated sufficient for old age. He was actively interested in community life, cooperating in many enterprises. During recent years he was unable to get about much, being confined to his home most of the time.

The funeral service was held on Monday, Feb. 26, at 2 o'clock at the home, and 2:30 at the Methodist church, with Rev. T. S. Bassett, pastor, conducting the service. Before leaving the church the Masonic Lodge, members of which were present in a body, conducted its ritual. Interment was made in Goldfield cemetery.

Obituary

In the 91st Psalm, God is commending a good man for his righteousness. In addition to many providences mentioned, He adds, "With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation." Thus did God deal with Nicholas C. Duerst, extending his life to 83 years, 7 months, and 18 days.

Nicholas Duerst was born July 6, 1856, in Wisconsin, the son of Matthias and Rosena Kundort Duerst, one of a family of twelve children. Nic (as he was always familiarly called) received what schooling was available in pioneer times. From eighteen years of age, he gave full time to farming, first with his father and from 1876, for himself, in Wright and Humboldt counties, residing on a farm west of Goldfield for 27 years. He was both a tiller of the soil and a feeder of stock. In 1909 he moved to an acreage at the edge of Goldfield, and in 1918 secured the property in the north part of town which has since been his home.

Mr. Duerst had good judgment and business sense, and through these capabilities was successful in his private dealings, and also was associated with his fellow citizens in local business matters, a member of the school board, interested in the Goldfield Chautauqua and other activities.

In early life he joined the Masonic Lodge, and was a regular attendant and enthusiastic in the work of the Order. He was also, for a time, a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge.

He was married in 1878 to Sarah E. Griffith, daughter of Chauncy and Polly Davis Griffith, early settlers in Liberty township. To this union four children were born: Henry, who died in 1930; Jessie, widow of John Hanson; Matt and Inna, deceased in early life. Other near relatives are Mrs. Florence Duerst, widow of Henry; and several grand children: Mrs. Alta Duerst Slaikeu, of Goldfield; Mrs. Ethel Duerst Beach, of Alden, Iowa; Leland Hanson, of Worthington, Minn. There are also five great-grandchildren.

In 1918, Mrs. Duerst died. Since that time Mr. Duerst and his daughter, Mrs. Jessie Hanson, have kept the home, and during his last illness, Mrs. Hanson has faithfully and tenderly cared for her father, until his death on Saturday, Feb. 24.

When a youth Nicholas Duerst accepted the Christian faith and became a member of the Evangelical church, but for many years he was affiliated with the Methodist church in Goldfield.

He was held in high regard by all who knew him.

Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
February 29, 1940

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Goldfield Mourns Passing of Early Settler Saturday

The Goldfield community has just lost one of its early settlers in the death of N. C. Duerst, which occurred on Saturday, February 24, just after noon. He was a resident of this region since 1876.

While the end came suddenly, it was not unexpected, as Mr. Duerst had been very frail for a number of years. In consequence of being shut-in at home by frailty and sickness, many of our newer residents were not privileged to know closely, as were older people this man of fine character, whose influence, when he was in active life, was always for the welfare of his family and the good of the community. Years ago he participated in business affairs, and community interests such as our schools, the noted Goldfield Chautauqua, and other local interests.

The funeral services were held on Monday, of this week, at the home at 2 o'clock and at the Methodist church at 2:30, in charge of Kubitschek and Kastler, undertakers, and conducted by Rev. T. S. Bassett, pastor. Mrs. G. G. Braden gave the prelude and the postlude and played the piano for two hymns, which were sung by a quartet composed of Mrs. R. G. Nolte, Mrs. K. M. Whyte, Leonard Madison and Rev. Bassett.

The members of the Masonic Lodge attended in a body, and used their burial ritual during the service at the church. This impressive ceremony was given by Mr. Charles Troyer, a former Worshipful Master.

The floral tributes were beautiful and appropriate. Interment was made in the Goldfield cemetery.

Relatives and friends who attended the funeral from out-of-town were: Mr. and Mrs. Abe Duerst, Beresford, S. D.; Mr. and Mrs. Leland Hanson, Worthington, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Blake Beach, and Mrs. Jack Lutz, Alden, Iowa; Mrs. August Larson and Richard Larson, Mason City, Iowa; Messers. George and Verne Campbell, Corwith.

Goldfield Gazette --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
February 29, 1940