History and Genealogy of Shelby County, Iowa
Obits for Shelby County Almarion Gaer Old Settler Passed Away Almarian Gaer was born in Bond County, Illinois, September12, 1830 and died June 17, 1915 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. James Bristol, being at the time of his death 84 years, 9 months and 5 days old. He had suffered the last five years with stomach trouble. He had been confined to his bed almost two years, but bore it patiently. He was united in marriage to Nancy Ballard, Nov 15, 1849. To this union was born 13 children, 6 girls and 7 boys. Eight of these are still living, 4 girls and 4 boys. They were all with him at the time of his death excepting A. F. Gaer, living in Montana and Mrs. Waldo, who has been sick and was not able to come. He united with the Christian church in early life and died in full faith in the living God. He was one of Iowa's early settlers, coming to Marshall county when a boy. Was married and lived there until about 30 years ago then moved to Shelby county. He secured the first marriage license that was issued in Marshall county after the county was organized. His wife died 23 years ago the 23rd of December. Since that time his children have been his whole comfort. He leaves to mourn his death 8 children, 30 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildrenFuneral services were held at Redline Sunday, June 20 conducted by Rev. Farrell of Irwin. He was laid to rest by the side of her who had been his faithful companion for so many years. [Shelby County Republican, Published 01 Jul 1915] Submitted by Carol Anderson Mary Magdalene Hunt On January, 1, 1864, in the Galland's Grove Branch of the Church, Shelby Co., Iowa, Sister Mary Magdalene, wife of Bro. Z. W. Hunt, aged 28 years, nine months and four days. [The True Latter Day Saints Herald, Plano, IL, Published 15 April 1864] Submitted by Cathy Danielson Wilhelmine Kolmorgen Wilhelmine Kolmorgen was born Feb. 9, 1854, in Alt Harmhorst, Holstein, Germany, and died at the Harlan hospital, following a brief illness, Dec. 26, 1932, at the age of 78 years, 10 months, and 17 days. Miss Kolmorgen was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church of Klein Nuchel, Holstein. At the age of 15, following her confirmation, she left her home and went to Hamburg, where she found work and stayed until 1891. In this year she immigrated to America, coming to Corley, Iowa, to her uncle, John Peemoller. She worked in the Corley vicinity until 1897, when she returned to her homeland for a visit for half a year, taking with her a Mr. Christensen and his three little children, who were to make their home in Germany. When Miss Kolmorgen returned to the United States, she came once more to Shelby, and made her home with the Blumers, for whom she worked until 1927, a period of 25 years. Because of illness she finally gave up this work and spent the last years of her life with her cousin, Mrs. Wm. Bebensee, who tenderly cared for her until the end. Miss Kolmorgen was practically alone in this country, her only relatives being her cousins, Mrs. Wm. Bebensee and Mrs. Buchholtz of Wayne, Neb. In Germany, a brother and a sister survive her, another sister passing on before her into death last year. She was a member of the United Ev. Lutheran church of Shelby. The funeral services were held in the Lutheran church Thursday afternoon, Dec. 29, with the pastor, Rev. S. C. Kloth officiating. Interment was in the Shelby cemetery. Those from out of town attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Emil Krouse of Omaha, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ehrig of Harlan and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fahrenkrug of Avoca. (Source: Elkhorn-Kimballton Review, January 05, 1933) Burial Location: Shelby Cemetery, Shelby County, Iowa Section 1, Row 10 Kolmorgen, Minnie (1854 - 1932) Hans Peter Nielsen Hans Peter Nielsen, a resident of this community for over forty years, passed away at his home in the south part of Elk Horn Monday night about 12 o'clock after a short siege of pneumonia. Mr. Nielsen would have been eighty years of age in June. He was born, June 9, 1853, at Moen, Denmark. At the age of fifteen years he came to Moline, Ill., with his parents. There he learned thrift and hard work, as he and a brother soon became the sole support of their mother and sister and the two boys walked two miles each morning to go to work in the city's factories. At the age of twenty-five he came to the Elk Horn community and settled on a farm southeast of town. Here on Nov. 13, 1882, he was united in marriage to Anna Elenora Clausen. The couple celebrated their golden wedding last Nov. 13. Mr. and Mrs. Nielsen prospered in this new country and about fifteen years ago, they built a home in the south part of Elk Horn and moved there from their farm. Both had enjoyed good health until Mr. Nielsen's fatal illness. Besides his wife, Mr. Nielsen is survived by six sons. The four oldest reside in this community. They are Henry, John, Walter and Otto. One son, Enus, lives at Miami, Florida, and Nels, the youngest, at Portland, Oregon. The funeral was set for late in the week as the latter is enroute home. A brother, Nels J. Nielsen, also survives. He lives in Moline, Ill. Funeral services will be held at the home Saturday afternoon at 1 o'clock and at the Elk Horn Lutheran church at 1:30. Interment will be in the Elk Horn Cemetery. Rev. Anders Hansen will conduct the services. (Elk Horn-Kimballton Review, January 05, 1933) Alvin Sams Shelby - Services for Alvin C. Sams, 62, of rural Shelby will be 2 p.m. Thursday at the Berthusen-Knutson Funeral Home at Avoca. The Rev. Harrold Peterson of Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca will officiate with burial at the Shelby cemetery. Mr. Sams, a long-time Shelby area farmer, died suddenly Monday at his home after suffering an apparent heart attack. He is survived by his widow, Gladys; two sons, Gary of Ames, and Allan of Grinnell; daughter, Mrs. Donna Larsen of Atlantic; a brother, Paul of Atlantic; four sisters, Dorothy Sams and Daisy Sams, both of Atlantic, Mrs. Al Noehren of Wiota, and Mrs. Lawrence Sievers of Walnut; and three grandchildren. [Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Published January 12, 1971] Submitted by Cathy Danielson Isabella E. Springer In Shelby Co., Iowa, on the morning of Jan. 1st 1862, Isabella Eliza, daughter of B. V. and M. A. Springer, aged 6 years and 6 months. On The Death of Isabella E. Springer. May we her parents ever live, Our Father near to thee; That we may have our Isabel In blessed eternity. Inspire our hearts to do thy will. While we in life remain; To be prepared to dwell with thee, When thou on earth shall reign. Oh Father guide us in the way Of goodness, truth and light; And to thy name we will ascribe All glory, honor, might. And now Oh God thy will be done, May we the same obey; Thou givest us our little ones, Thou takest them away. By: B. V. Springer (Isabella's father) [The True Latter Day Saints Herald, Cincinnati, Published October 1862] Submitted by Cathy Danielson