Individual Details

Death

THE MONTICELLO EXPRESS….JULY 25, 1929…PAGE 1
PIONEER MOTHER CALLED TO REST LAST EVENING
MRS. AUGUSTA HELGENS DIED YESTERDAY
MRS. AUGUSTA HELGENS PASSES
Death called Mrs. Augusta Reuter Helgens at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Verne Serbousek, near Center Junction, last evening at 6 o'clock. She had been in failing health for several years, and sustained a severe attack of influenza last January. As a result of this illness, she was afflicted with heart trouble, which was the direct cause of her death.
Mrs. Helgens came to this country when a young woman 36 years of age, with five young children, the oldest of which was eleven years, and the youngest a babe in arms. Her first husband, Bernhard Thuman, died in Reepshold, Hanover, Germany, in 1887, at the age of 36 years. They had been married in May 1874, and the five children heretofore referred to were born to this union. Mr. Thuman was in delicate health following injuries received while serving in the German army and died a short while before his wife immigrated to the United States. She came directly to the home of her brother, Fritz Reuter, who at that time was living on the Charles little farm in the Bowens Prairie neighborhood.
This good woman was the daughter of the late Carl and Anna Reuter. She was born in Reepshold, Hanover, Germany, December 9,1852, and was confirmed in the Lutheran church in the community of her birth when a young woman. She was one of a family of six children. Following her removal to the United States in 1888,she was married a second time, November 2, 1888, to William Helgens. This marriage occurred at Zion's church in Wayne Township, and was performed by Rev Mardorf. Mr. Helgens died December 4, 1896, at the age of 69 years.
Mrs. Helgens became the mother of seven children; five were born to Mr. Thuman, viz: Mrs. Fritz Husman, of Lovell Township; Carl Thuman, of Amber; Mrs. Herman Stutt, who died December 25, 1897, at the age of 19 years; Ben Thuman, of Onslow, and Mrs. LeRoy Clark of Monticello. Two children were born to Mr. Helgens, viz; William, who lives on the home place in Wayne Township, and Mrs. Verna Serbousek. She is survived by one sister and two brothers, viz: Mrs. Chris Decker of Monticello, Fritz Reuter of Monticello, and William Reuter of Los Angeles, California.
Following the death of Mr. Helgens, Mrs. Helgens made her home in Amber for some time where she purchased a home. She also lived for a number of years with her sister, Mrs. Chris Decker, and made extended visits among the families of her children.
Funeral services for Mrs. Helgens will be held next Saturday afternoon at 1 o'clock at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Verne Serbousek, near Center Junction. The funeral party will then proceed to Zion's Lutheran church in Wayne township, where services in charge of Rev. J. Willms will be held at the church. Mrs. Helgens body will be laid to rest by the side of her husband in the Wayne cemetery.