Margaretha “Margaret” Christina Spetman (Ehlers) (1802-1877)

Sources: Adrienne Karr, Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil, December 19, 1877.

Webmaster Note: The Mills County Iowa Cemeteries book lists her simply as “Spetman, Mrs.—mother of Mrs Henry Strietbeck” in an unmarked grave in lot #25. Adrienne Karr has provided information that this should be instead ‘Spetman, Margaretha “Margaret” Christina (Ehlers)’ with the dates shown. The following obituary was found in the Daily Nonpareil, December 19, 1877.

Death of Mrs. Spethmann.

   Mrs. Margaret Spethmann of this city died at the residence of her son, Mr. F. A. Spethmann, yesterday morning after a severe illness of one week's duration. She had been ailing for about six months, but not until last week were there any serious results anticipated. Then she began to grow worse and notwithstanding the best of medical treatment and watchful care of relatives and friends she sank rapidly until death closed her sufferings

   Mrs. Spethmann was born in the Duchy of Oldenburg, Germany in 1800 and was consequently 77 years of age at the time of her death. She, with her husband came to this country in 1849 and settled in the eastern part of the State near Davenport. There she resided until 1870, when she came to Council Bluffs, which has been her home ever since. She leaves four children to mourn her loss—two sons and two daughters. One son, John G., lives in Scott county, and her two daughters, Mrs. E. Rickman and Mrs H. Strietbeck, are residents of Pottawattamie county. The funeral will take place from the residence of her son, F. A. Spethmann, on the corner of Oak and Bond streets, to-morrow forenoon at 11 o'clock, and friends of the family will please attend without further notice. After the services at the house are concluded, the remains will be conveyed to the cemetery in the Plummer settlement for burial, about eight miles from the city.