Obituary ~ Dettmer

Barbara Sophia Dettmer, nee Miller, was born February 5, 1888 near Stuttgart, Kansas.  She was baptized as an infant in Emmanuel Lutheran church, Stuttgart, and made her vows of faithfulness to her Saviour in the rite of confirmation on April 14, 1901. She received her education in the schools of Stuttgart.

She was joined in marriage to John Dettmer at the Stuttgart church on May 19, 1909. Had God seen fit to leave her with us, they would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary next May 19.

Their union was blessed with four children. The nearly 50 years of her married life was spent on a farm south of Kensington, where she faithfully nurtured her children, not only filling their bodily needs, but teaching them the fear and love of God.

She was a faithful and active member of St. John Lutheran Church of Kensington, and a charter member of the Dorcas Society of St. John church (active for the full 27 years of that society's existence). In her community, she was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

For the last 9 years she had been more or less ill. Four years ago, when told that she had not much time to live, she calmly and cheerfully accepted it as the will of God for her. After a final stroke two weeks ago, God called her to her eternal reward on Saturday evening, September 6, 1958 at about 8 p.m.

She leaves to mourn her: her husband, John Dettmer of Kensington: 4 children, Alvin Dettmer, Wilbur Dettmer, Mrs. Eulonda Hagman, Kensington, Mrs. LaVona Gruber of Concordia, Kansas; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one brother, Mike Miller of Stuttgart; three sisters, Mrs. Margaret Merklein of Phillipsburg, Mrs. Anna Vogel of Stuttgart and Mrs. Freida Miller of Phillipsburg. Four brothers and one sister preceded her in death.

Funeral services were held from St. John Lutheran church of Kensington, with the Rev. John J. Minneman officiating. A quartet composed of Christine Womer, Ermyl Dettmer, Ted Seeman and Henry Hesterman accompanied by Lucille Dettmer, sang, "Never My God To Thee",

"Asleep in Jesus" and "Heaven is My Home." Nada Loreen was organist.

Casket bearers were Alvin Vogel, August Miller, Carl Merklein, Cleon Dettmer, Edwin Brunow and Hilbert Dettmer. Flower bearers were Esther Weinman, Lillian Meyer, Nelda Godwin, Pearl Townsend, Betty Kuhlman and Ruth Ann Miller. Interment was in St. John Lutheran cemetery.

CARD OF THANKS

We wish to express our sincere thanks to all for service, kindness, sympathy, cards, flowers and memorial gifts, and to doctors, nurses and all who helped in the Smith County Memorial hospital, in our recent bereavement. May God bless you all.

John Dettmer Children and Families

Thinking of the life of faith in her Saviour that she led, and the Christian witness that she made, we feel that the following hymn may well express our thoughts at such a time as this:

Who knows how soon my days are ended?

My days are few and time speeds on.

How swiftly, in this world of changes

\May death approach and life be gone.

O God, for Jesus sake, I pray,\

That I in peace may pass away.

So teach me, Lord, my days to number

That when the hour of death appears,

The wounds of Christ may be my refuge:

Nor may I spare repentant tears

O God, for Jesus sake, I pray,

That I in peace may pass away.

Help me to put my house in order.

That I may ever ready be

To leave this world and say in meekness:

Lord, as Thou wilt, deal Thou with me.

O God, for Jesus sake, I pray,

That I in peace may pass away.

O Father, let my sins be covered

With Jesus blood and righteousness:

By faith this spotless garment wearing.

I find relief from all distress.

O God, for Jesus sake, I pray,

That I in peace may pass away.

From Jesus naught my soul can sever

Nor life nor death can do me harm:

Him as my Lord and God confessing,

I shall with ease my foes disarm.

O God, for Jesus sake, I pray,

That I in peace may pass away.

Kensington Mirror

September 18, 1958

John Dettmer

Lifelong Resident at Kensington

John Dettmer son of Karl and Catherine Dettmer was born on March 15,1887, on a farm northwest of Kensington. He spent his childhood on his parents farm.  His education consisted of attending District 53 country school.  He farmed with his brother, Henry, west of town until May 19, 1909, when he was united in marriage to Barbara Miller of Stuttgart, Kansas. They continued to farm west of Kensington and in 1911, they moved to their farm three miles south of town. This continued to be his home the rest of his life.

Their marriage was blessed with four children, two sons, Alvin and Wilbur, and two daughters, Eulonda and LaVona.

On September 6, 1958, Barbara passed away and John continued to reside and work on the farm.

In 1972, due to failing health he left his home to live with his children. He passed away at Smith County Memorial Hospital on April 11, 1976, at the age of 89 years.

John loved his Lord and his church and served it in many capacities. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Kensington, where he was a member all of his life.

He was also active in his community serving as a Justice of the Peace and a school board-member.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara, two granddaughters, three brothers and two sisters.

He is survived by: two sons, Alvin and his wife, Blanche, Wilbur and his wife, Mildred; two daughters, Eulonda and  her husband, Eugene Hagman, all of Kensington, LaVona and her husband, Melvin Gruber, of Concordia; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ernest and Art of Kensington; two sisters, Mrs. Emma Steinbeck of Wauneta, Nebraska, and Mrs. Carrie Klein of Cypress, California; other relatives and friends.

Rev. Virgil Anderson officiated at the Memorial Services at St. John's Lutheran Church at 2 p.m., Tuesday, April 13. Special hymns were sung by Carolyn Billings, Pat Bienhoff, Joan Stutheit, Ruth Bienhoff was organist.

Casket bearers were Henry Smith, Donald Reilly, Don Kuhlmann, Eugene Hagman Jr., Rod Hagman, Greg Gruber, Nick Adkins and Paul Goracke. Flower girls included Anita Dettmer, Cynthia Gruber, Susie Goracke, Linda Adkins, Janice Kuhlmann, Barbara Reilly and Sharon Smith. Interment was at St. John's cemetery.

CARD OF THANKS

We wish to extend our sincere thanks to everyone for the prayers, cards, flowers, food, memorial gifts and other kindnesses given at the time of the death of our loved one.

The Family of John Dettmer

Phillips County Review

April 15,1976