Elsabe “Elizabeth”, “Elsaba” (Beck) Spetman/Spethmann (1833-1910)
Sources: Joyce (Hansen) George,
The Silver City Times, December 29, 1910,
and The Davenport Weekly Democrat and Leader, January 12, 1911 (courtesy of Adrienne Karr)
Mrs. Elizabeth Spetman.
Mrs. Elizabeth Spetman, aged 77 years, died at Gretna, Neb., Friday, from the infirmities of old age. The body will be brought here Monday morning and taken to the Plumer settlement for burial.
Funeral services will be held at the German Lutheran church there at 1 p. m., Rev. Huff officiating. The body will be taken from Cutler's at 10 o'clock Monday morning. The deceased is survived by two daughters, four sons and one sister, Mrs. G. D. Wendland.
Mrs. Elizabeth Spetman, aged 77 years, died at Gretna, Neb. Friday from the infirmities of old age. The body was brought to the Plumer Settlement for burial where the services were held Monday from the Lutheran church, conducted by Rev. Hoff. The deceased is survived by two daughters, four sons and one sister.
Spethmann
Davenport friends will be grieved to learn of the death of Mrs. Elsaba Spethmann, a former Scott county resident, who passed away at Elkhorn, Neb. The family formerly lived on a farm near Blue Grass and the deceased leaves a number of relatives residing in this vicinity. Concerning her death, an Elkhorn paper says:
“This community was startled last Friday afternoon to learn of the sudden death of Mrs. Elsaba Spethmann at the home of her son, A. J. Spethmann. She had been ill for a little while when death claimed her at 3 o’clock. Death was caused from a stroke of paralysis. The funeral services were held at the family home Sunday afternoon at 4 o’clock, being conducted by Rev. H. Schulz of Papillion in the presence of a large and sorrowing crowd of friends. Monday morning the body was taken to Council Bluffs where it was interred by the side of her husband, who had preceded her to the Great Beyond by about 15 years. Her maiden name was Elsaba Beck, and she was born in Holstein, Germany, in 1833. Coming to this county she was married to J. G. Spethmann in 1855, at Davenport, Ia. To this union 13 children were born, seven of whom survive her, five sons and two daughters. They are John, Adolph, Edward, Louis and Ferdinand Spethmann, Mrs. Minnie Deerson and Miss Theresa Spethmann. The family came to Nebraska in 1884, and located upon a farm northwest of town, where they lived for many years. The children are all grown and are all honored members of society. Mrs. Spethmann was a very active woman, and was never content unless she was doing something. She was a worthy helpmeet of her husband in the many years they lived together, and was a loving and devoted mother. The children lose a good friend in her death. Always a splendid neighbor and friend she was known and respected by all. A kind hearted woman she was universally loved. She always said that when her time came she would like to pass away quickly, and when the Death Angel came last Friday she had her wish, although it was a terrible shock to her children and friends. We extend to them our heartfelt sympathy in their great sorrow, because a mother is the best friend anyone ever had.”