Individual Details
Anna Folkerts
(15 Sep 1897 - 17 Oct 1985)
the b side by Mike Kent
A blind lady who had a vision . . .
A person may have the ability to see, but it doesn't
necessarily mean that a person has a vision.
Conversely, a person may be without eyesight, but it
doesn't necessarily mean that a person can't have a
vision.
During the latter stage of her life, Anna Folkerts
Husmann's eyesight had deteriorated, but her vision for
helping people was definitely 20-20.
Anna, who died Oct. 17, 1985, at the age of 88, left
behind a large sum of money that's going to be used for
a new scholarship fund to benefit people of all
educational interests. The new "Anna Folkerts
Husmann Scholarship Trust" is designed, according to
her will, "to provide scholarships for persons who are
enrolling for advanced education in a university, college
community college, business college, trade school or
any other educational program that would be considered
advanced education."
The story of Anna Folkerts Husmann is interesting
because she lived such a simple life. Anna never
attended high school and, according to nephew Dan
Stadtmueller, she and her husband, Henry, "lived very
frugally" (eg., they had no hot and cold running water).
Their frugal ways allowed the Husmanns to amass a
small fortune over the years as they lived on their farm
in Scotch Grove Township. They had no children of their
own, which allowed Anna and Henry to build up their
savings even more.
The Husmanns retired from farming in the early 1980s
and moved to Monticello. Henry died in January 1982
and Anna's health began to fail. According to Dan, Anna
had lost her eyesight, but not the clear grasp of her
mental faculties.
"She had a brilliant memory," recalled Dan, who
looked after her aunt. "She could remember dates and
places very well."
It was on March 17, 1984, when Anna made out her
first will, according to her attorney, H. Elvin (AD
Erdahl. "At the time she was totally blind," he said,
"and if she had not made a will, her entire estate
would've gone to her sister (Hattie Stadtmueller)."
However, the Stadtmueller family encouraged Anna to
make out a will and be generous to as many people as
possible. As a result, Anna bequeathed $100,000 to the
Wayne Zion Lutheran Church Council for the purpose of
establishing the Anna Folkerts Husmann Scholarship
Trust. The Wayne Zion Church Council members were
named trustees, and were given responsibility to
determine guidelines and award scholarships.
After bequeathing thousands of additional dollars to a
number of charitable organizations, Anna's will
authorized the balance of her estate to go into the
scholarship trust fund. All told, somewhere between
$200,000 and $250,000 was placed into the fund, with the
scholarships to be drawn from the interest. The
principal amount will never be touched.
"Here was a person totally blind, but because of her
foresight and vision, she's able to provide assistance to
students for an indefinite period," Al stated
philosophically.
He added, "I think the Stadtmueller family is really
happy about this. They're really anxious to see this
commence. It's going to give them all a good feeling,
and I feel good about being involved in something that
will perpetuate itself."
The Stadtmueller family hopes the scholarship trust
will provide assistance to a number of deserving
students in a time when it has become increasingly
difficult to meet education expenses. "I'd like to
visualize it as something that will help offset tuition
increases," Dan said.
Although she was a lady who left this world without
eyesight, Anna Folkerts Husmann gave a vision that's
going to touch the lives of many people for years to
come...
A blind lady who had a vision . . .
A person may have the ability to see, but it doesn't
necessarily mean that a person has a vision.
Conversely, a person may be without eyesight, but it
doesn't necessarily mean that a person can't have a
vision.
During the latter stage of her life, Anna Folkerts
Husmann's eyesight had deteriorated, but her vision for
helping people was definitely 20-20.
Anna, who died Oct. 17, 1985, at the age of 88, left
behind a large sum of money that's going to be used for
a new scholarship fund to benefit people of all
educational interests. The new "Anna Folkerts
Husmann Scholarship Trust" is designed, according to
her will, "to provide scholarships for persons who are
enrolling for advanced education in a university, college
community college, business college, trade school or
any other educational program that would be considered
advanced education."
The story of Anna Folkerts Husmann is interesting
because she lived such a simple life. Anna never
attended high school and, according to nephew Dan
Stadtmueller, she and her husband, Henry, "lived very
frugally" (eg., they had no hot and cold running water).
Their frugal ways allowed the Husmanns to amass a
small fortune over the years as they lived on their farm
in Scotch Grove Township. They had no children of their
own, which allowed Anna and Henry to build up their
savings even more.
The Husmanns retired from farming in the early 1980s
and moved to Monticello. Henry died in January 1982
and Anna's health began to fail. According to Dan, Anna
had lost her eyesight, but not the clear grasp of her
mental faculties.
"She had a brilliant memory," recalled Dan, who
looked after her aunt. "She could remember dates and
places very well."
It was on March 17, 1984, when Anna made out her
first will, according to her attorney, H. Elvin (AD
Erdahl. "At the time she was totally blind," he said,
"and if she had not made a will, her entire estate
would've gone to her sister (Hattie Stadtmueller)."
However, the Stadtmueller family encouraged Anna to
make out a will and be generous to as many people as
possible. As a result, Anna bequeathed $100,000 to the
Wayne Zion Lutheran Church Council for the purpose of
establishing the Anna Folkerts Husmann Scholarship
Trust. The Wayne Zion Church Council members were
named trustees, and were given responsibility to
determine guidelines and award scholarships.
After bequeathing thousands of additional dollars to a
number of charitable organizations, Anna's will
authorized the balance of her estate to go into the
scholarship trust fund. All told, somewhere between
$200,000 and $250,000 was placed into the fund, with the
scholarships to be drawn from the interest. The
principal amount will never be touched.
"Here was a person totally blind, but because of her
foresight and vision, she's able to provide assistance to
students for an indefinite period," Al stated
philosophically.
He added, "I think the Stadtmueller family is really
happy about this. They're really anxious to see this
commence. It's going to give them all a good feeling,
and I feel good about being involved in something that
will perpetuate itself."
The Stadtmueller family hopes the scholarship trust
will provide assistance to a number of deserving
students in a time when it has become increasingly
difficult to meet education expenses. "I'd like to
visualize it as something that will help offset tuition
increases," Dan said.
Although she was a lady who left this world without
eyesight, Anna Folkerts Husmann gave a vision that's
going to touch the lives of many people for years to
come...
Events
Families
Spouse | Henry Johnson Husmann (1895 - 1982) |
Father | Jacob Folkerts (1864 - 1909) |
Mother | Christina Margaret Husmann (1871 - 1946) |
Sibling | Katherine Margaret "Teeny" Folkerts (1894 - 1918) |
Sibling | Elville Gerhard Folkerts (1905 - 1905) |
Sibling | Hattie Marie Folkerts (1906 - 2002) |
Notes
Death
Anna HusmannServices were held Oct. 19 for Anna
Husmann, 88, at the Wayne Zion Lutheran
Church, with burial at Oakwood Cemetery,
Monticello. The Rev. Harvey O. Gilbertson
officiated at the services.
Anna Husmann, Monticello, died Oct. 17
at John McDonald Hospital, after an extend-
ed illness.
Anna Folkerts was born Sept. 15, 1897,
near Scotch Grove, the daughter of Jacob
and Christina Husman Folkerts. She receiv-
ed her early education in the rural schools
near her home.
Anna Folkerts and Henry J. Husmann
were married Sept. 4, 1919, at Wayne Zion
Lutheran Church. The couple farmed the
Folkerts family farm until 1982, when they;
moved to Monticello. Her husband, Henry,
died Jan. 27,1982.
Anna was a lifelong member of Wayne
Zion Lutheran Church, where she was bap-
tized. She was later confirmed her faith
there on March 31,1912.
Anna is survived by a sister, Mrs. Hattie
Stadtmueller of Monticello, and many
nieces and nephews. She was preceded in
death by her parents, her husband, one
sister and an infant brother.
Casketbearers were Daniel Stadtmueller,
Richard Stadtmueller, Ronald Stahlberg,
Leo Waggoner, Joseph Ruley and James
Murray.
Goettsch Funeral Home was in charge off
the arrangements.
Endnotes
1. "Anna Husmann," obituary, Monticello (Iowa) Express, 23 October 1985; Ross & Elizabeth Baty Public Library (http://batypl.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 27 November 2011), Newspaper Digital Archives.
2. "Anna Husmann," obituary, Monticello (Iowa) Express, 23 October 1985; Ross & Elizabeth Baty Public Library (http://batypl.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 27 November 2011), Newspaper Digital Archives.
3. "Anna Husmann," obituary, Monticello (Iowa) Express, 23 October 1985; Ross & Elizabeth Baty Public Library (http://batypl.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 27 November 2011), Newspaper Digital Archives.