Mrs. Wm. VON BEHREN Sr.
Mrs. Wm. Von Behren, Sen., whose departure was reported in last week's Herald, was at the time of her death the eldest member of St. Paul's Lutheran church. She was affiliated with the congregation for 73 years and has thus been blessed with its service in weal and woe. Her last rites were conducted on Friday afternoon from the Pfeiffer Funeral Home and the church, her pastor L. Stuebe officiating. He based his address on Rom. 8.18. The children of Mr.. Nordbrock's room sang: "Lord, Thee I love with all my heart" by request of the now sainted mother. The following obituary was read at the church:
Our departed sister in the Lord, Mrs. Wm. Von Behren, Sen., was the eldest member of the congregation at the present time, having attained an age of 93 years, 10 months and 1 day.
She was born May 1, 1840 at Isenstaedit, Westfahlia, Germany. Her parents Mr. and Mrs. Aug. Wirth resolved to emigrate to America to achieve a better home for the family. Alas their plans were frustrated. Man proposes, God disposes. the parents became a prey of an epidemic--cholera morbus, raging on the ship. The four Wirth children a boy and 3 girls reached their destination, St. Louis, MO., father and motherless. Yet a father's care was providing for them. The Lord who promised to be the father of orphans induced Christian homes to open their doors to the children. Thus Wilhelmine the youngest at the age of 4 years came into the home of Pastor J. Buenger. There in St. Louis a sound foundation for her Christian life was laid. Her vow of fidelity to her Lord at her confirmation the beloved remembered and followed after.
March 30, 1870, she was united in marriage to Wm. Von Behren. In the same year the couple affiliated with St. Paul's church at Strasburg. Eleven children were born to this union. Four children, two in infancy, preceded the mother in death, likewise the husband in 1908. For 34 years she bore the burden of widowhood. Again she experienced the loving hand of her heavenly Father. He verified His promise: I will bear and carry and will deliver you. Even to old age and to hoar hairs will I carry. His goodness, mercy and grace she loved to acknowledge frequently. She loved the habitation of the Lord and the worship of His people and would assure herself of the forgiveness of her sins by partaking of the Lord's Supper often. When physically disabled to attend public service she would commune with her Lord in privacy daily and enjoyed the service that our station K.F.U.O. rendered. Thus she was well versed in Scripture and her hymn book and found comfort in reciting hymn verses till a few days before her departure. The parting of body and soul occurred in the afternoon of March 2nd, the angels of the Lord carrying her soul into the realms of joy and pleasure forevermore.
Besides her seven children and their spouses, she is survived by 31 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.
To the glory of God and in loving memory of the departed, bequests have been made in the form of Memorial wreaths by many for various charitable institutions.
Her mortal remains were laid to rest beside her husband in St. Paul's cemetery. Mrs. Louis Streming and Mrs Gaylord Ulmer had charge of the flowers, Messrs: Glenn Brandt, August, Harry, Leroy, Rufus and Walter Von Behren had the honor to carry their grandmother to her earthly resting place, to await the day of resurrection of all flesh.
It is not death to close the eye long dimmed by tears and wake to glorious repose to spend eternal years.