Louisa Wilhelmina (Schwenck) MARTFELD

SCHWENCK, MARTFELD, BASTIAN, KIRKPATRICK, CULP, VORRE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:54

Louisa Wilhelmina Schwenck Martfeld
24 July 1861 ---- 2 February 1953

Louisa Wilhelmina Martfeld, was born near Lake City, Minn., on July 24th, 1861.

She died at her home early Monday morning at the age of 91 years, 6 mouths, and 3 days. Her life was spent in truly pioneering fashion. Her first ten years were lived in a German Methodist community where the little white church in the vale was the center of their community. Here she was baptized, catechized, and received her early education.

Her father finding farming in the hilly country difficult, resolved to change location. In Oct. 1871, he moved the family consisting of father, mother and seven children to Iowa. This was done by covered wagon, the trip required nine days.

They located on the farm west of Boone river as the Schwenck farm and now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Tom Vorre. Here she continued attended rural school and helping her parents forge ahead in this new country.

On July 23, 1886 she was united in marriage to August Martfeld who had come to America from Germany three years previous.

As a bride she went to Marshalltown, where her husband was employed. They resided there seven years and it was here their three children were born. In 1893 they moved to their farm four miles west of Eagle Grove. There followed years of living frugally, helpfully, and neighborly.

When retirement became necessary, they moved to Eagle Grove in 1923. Mr. Martfeld died August 3, 1928. Mrs. Martfeld continued living here until the time of her death, the date marking the 43rd memorial of her father's death.

Mrs. Martfeld possessed a very quiet unassuming personality. During her last six years she was confined to a wheelchair. She was always deeply interested in church and community affairs. With her husband she became a member of the First Methodist Church of Eagle Grove by letter transfer during the pastorate of Rev. G. W. Southwell. Surviving are two daughters and one son, Ella of Eagle Grove; Grace, Mrs. E. L. Kirkpatrick of Marietta, Ohio; and Arthur Martfeld of Luseland. Sask., Canada. Also, six grandchildren, Ruth Kirkpatrick, Glen, Donald, Virginia and Bruce Martfeld and Mrs. Ernest Culp.

One brother John Schwenck who is now the sole survivor of the Schwenck family. She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers, August, Charles, Edwin, Horace, and one brother who died in infancy, one sister Mrs. Metha Bastian.

Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Wilson Chapel, in charge of Rev. Harrison Dawes. Burial was in Rose Hill cemetery.

EAGLE GROVE EAGLE --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, February 12, 1953

source --- Paul Wilde