Mrs.Catherine GANSTER, known as "Grandmother Ganster," 90 years of age, probably the oldest resident of the borough, died at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. John SCHEID, of Shaler township, Tuesday night. Death was due to the infirmities of old age.
Mrs. GANSTER was a native of Germany, being born in Genslauter, in 1815. Her husband John was also a native of the same place and they spent their childhood days together. In 1837 Mrs. GANSTER was married and after 16 years of married life decided to come to America and in 1853 sailed for this country coming direct to Sharpsburg. Here they lived only a few months, moving to Etna, where the rest of their lives were spent. Mr. GANSTER preceded his wife in death just a few years.
Mr. and Mrs. GANSTER had been blessed with seven children: George, Nicholas and John GANSTER and Mrs. Joseph MIMM, Mrs. John SCHEID, Elizabeth and Catherine. Of these, only Nicholas, who is a policeman in Etna, Mrs. John SCHEID & Mrs. MIMM survive. In her long and useful life, Mrs. GANSTER had lived to see five generations come up. She had 44 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Both Mrs. GANSTER and her husband were among the pioneer members of St. Mary's Catholic Church and in its early days gave largely of their efforts to the up-building of the congregation. Mrs. GANSTER was buried from St. Mary's Church this morning at nine o'clock.
Source: Etna Herald, 1904
Submited by Linda Mimm Hodges 12-January-1999. E-Mail: [email protected]