Individual Details

Census (family)

17 41 35 Gerdes John 85 4 13 SW NW 26 M M Farmer Germany F F Militia, Voter
18 41 35 Gerdes Anna 20 F M Keeping house Germany F F
19 41 35 Gerdes Grace 2 F Jones F F
20 41 35 Gerdes John A. 0 M Jones F F
21 41 35 Gerdes Garret 65 M M Boarder Germany F F Alien, Illiterate (father)
22 41 35 Gerdes Grace 67 F M Boarder Germany F F Alien, Illiterate (mother)

Census (family)

1 21 21 Gerdes John 36 M M Germany Farmer Lutheran
2 Gerdes Anna 33 F M " " "
3 Gerdes Grace 12 F Jones Co F F
4 Gerdes John 10 M " " " " "
5 Gerdes Gerhard 5 M " " " " "
6 Gerdes Annie 7 F " " " " "
7 Gerdes August 3 M " " " " "
8 Gerdes Daily 0 M " " " " "
9 Gerdes Gerhard 75 M M Germany Lutheran
10 Gerdes Grace 77 F M " " " "

Census (family)

94, 94, Gerdes, John, Head, WM, Oct 1858, 41, Married 19 yrs, Germany 3x, Immi 1873, 26 yrs in US Na, Farmer
Anna E, Wife, WF, June 1863, 36, M-19, 8 children born 7 living, Germany 3x, 1872 28 yrs
Grace, Daughter, WF, June 1863, 17, single, IA
John A, Son WM, Sept 1884, 15, single, IA, Farm labor
Anna, Daughter, WF, Jan 1887, 13, single, IA, at school
Gerhard W, WM, July 1889, 10, single, IA, at school
August, Son, WM, Dec 1892, 7, single, IA
Menke, Daughter,WF, Feb 1897, 3, single,IA
Carl, Son, WM, May 1899, 1, single, IA

Death

The Death of Mrs. Anna E. Gerdes

Mrs. Anna E. Gerdes, for a number of years a resident of Monticello, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Henry Schaefer, in Cass township, last Friday morning, May 26, at the age of 58 years, 11 months and 23 days. Four years ago Mrs. Gerdes suffered a stroke of paralysis which left her in a weakened condition. Shortly following the death of her mother in February, 1920, she re moved from her home in Monticello to the hospitable home of her daughter, Mrs. Henry Schaefer. Last January she suffered a severe siege of influenza, which disease together with other complications caused her death.
Anna Elizabeth Siebels was born June 3, 1863, in the town of Rahrdum in the province of Hanover, Germany. She was a daughter of the late John A. Siebels and his wife, Altien Gertrude (nee Ricklefs) Siebels. She removed from the land of her birth with her parents in 1871. The family settled on a farm in Wayne township. She was confirmed in Zion's Lutheran church in the same township, April 6, 1879.
Miss Siebles was married September 28 1881, to John Gerdes. There were nine children born to this union, six of whom survive, four sons and two daughters, viz: John, Gerd, Carl and Alva Gerdes; Mrs. Otto Otten and Mrs. Henry Schaefer. In addition to these children, Mrs. Gerdes is survived by two brothers, John, and August Siebels, and Mrs. Tina Lambertus and Mrs. Gede Lambertus. The two latter are residents of the state of Oklahoma. John Gerdes, the husband of the deceased, died August 21, 1902.
After the death ot Mr. Gerdes, which occurred on the Gerdes farm in Cass township, Mrs. Gerdes continued to live there, with her family of small children, until they attained manhood and.womanhood. She gave up the active duties of farm work eight years ago, when falling health compelled her to retire from the farm.
The funeral services were held Sunday, May 28. Short services were held at the Schaefer home at 10 o'clock; and final services were held at Zion's Lutheran church in Wayne township at 10:30. The services were very largely attended by the many friends of the deceased. Rev. John Willms, the pastor of the Lutheran church in Wayne township, had charge of the service. He spoke from two texts, First Timothy 5-5, in German, and St. John 2-10, in the English language. Burial was had at Wayne Center cemetery.


SOURCE: Newspaper article - 1922 - No Name
RESPECTED LADY ANSWERS SUMMONS
The Grim Reaper has again visited the community of Wayne township and from their midst has taken one of the most beloved women of that community.
Anna Elizabeth Siebels was born in Rahrdum Hanover, Germany, June 3, 1863. She was the daughter of John Anton Siebels and wife Altien Gertrude Siebels. Soon after her birth she was baptized in the Lutheran church to which she was a faithful member.
The days of her youth passed quietly. In the year 1871 she came with her parents to America, and April 6, 1879 she was confirmed at the Wayne Lutheran church and she made with others a good confession before many men.
September 28, 1881 she united in marriage to Mr. John Gerdes, who answered the call of his Maker, Aug 21, 1902. The Lord of all good gifts blessed this union with nine children, of which six are still living, four sons and two daughters.
Eight years ago Mrs. Gerdes removed from the farm in Cass township to Monticello to retire from the strenuous work. Here she was stricken with paralysis about four years ago, and after the death of her mother, in February, 1920, she removed to the hospitable home of her children, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schaefer, where she had a home in the full sense of the word. Last January the destructive influenza overfell her and the consequences caused her early death. At times it seemed that she would recover, but since Sunday, May 21st, death was visibly nearing. Realizing the serious condition she asked for her pastor, and received the Sacrament of the Alter, dying with love of the Faith she had for years maintained.
Mrs. Gerdes was a widow for twenty years, which means desolation. A large family of children was to be cared for after the husband's death, and she did it well.
Three times she tasted the bitterness of the cruel enemy of mankind, called death, when he claimed her loved ones. The last week of her life was filled with intense sufferings and death released her Friday morning, May 6th. She sojourned here on earth 58 years, 11 months and 23 days.
She is survived by four sons: John, Gerd, Carl and Alvy, and two daughters, Mrs. Grace Otten of Amber and Mrs. Anna Schaefer of Langworthy. Two brothers, John and August Siebels, and two sisters, Mrs. Tina and Mrs. Lamberths of Oklahoma.
The esteem in which the lady was held, was shown at the funeral services, which were held Sunday at 10:30, from the Wayne Lutheran church, at which time the capacious church was filled with sorrowing relatives and friends who had come to show their respect to the one whom they loved. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Willms pastor of the church, and interment was made in the cemetery nearby.

Burial

Gerdes Anna ( Siebels ) 1863-1922 #5-1