Funeral Services For Aged Flanagar Citizen on Last Saturday.
Uffe Gerdes Kettwich, son of Konrad and Luebke Kettwich, was born at Warsingsfehn, East Frisia, Germany, on the 12th of October, 1842. He was baptised and confirmed in the Lutheran church. In his early manhood Mr. Kettwich was master of a fishing vessel, plying his trade in the stormy waters of the North Sea. On the 28th of January, 1871, he was united in wedlock with Gesche Hinrichs Schloemer, with whom he experienced the joys and sorrows of this earthly life for the duration of 52 years and two months.
Shortly after their marriage the young couple emigrated to America settling in California, where they made their home for upwards of two years, when they moved to Minonk township, and where the deceased farmed until old age bade him cease from his labors. In 1916, Mr. and Mrs. Kettwich retired to the village of Flanagan. About two years ago the deaceased suffered from a severe attack of pneumonia, from which he never fully recovered. His strength slowly declined, and on last Wednesday evening at 9:40, the 28th of March 1923 the end came. The Lord blessed him with a long life: 80 years, 5 months and 16 days. Besides the widow, ten children mourn their father’s passing, two having preceded him in death, one in early infancy, the other, Mrs. Christine Wyman, four years ago during the epidemic of influenza. The surviving children are: Mrs. Lena Baumann, Flanagan; George Kettwich of Minonk; Henry Kettwich of Minonk; Mrs. Lucy Ostermann of Titonka, Ia.; John Kettwich of Minonk; Carl Kettwich of Flanagan; Eilert Kettwich of Minonk; Uffe Kettwich of Flanagan; Mrs. Sena Rients of Flanagan; and Mrs. Anna Post of Titonka, Iowa.; and thirty-four grandchildren and one greatgrandchild.
The funeral services took place Saturday at 1:00 p. m., at the home and at 2:00 o’clock at the Windtown Lutheran church, Rev. Telthorster officiating, assisted by Rev. Groth. Burial in the Windtown cemetery. The pallbearers were the six sons and the flower girls were grandchildren – Grace and Clara Wyman and Katherine and Florence Kettwich.
Here is another newspaper account concerning Uffe Kettwich:
(Provided by Shirley Jean Ostermann Boyken)
Uffe Kettwich Passes Away Last Night at Age of Eighty
Uffe Kettwich, past 80 years, died at his home at Flanagan last night at about 10 PM after several weeks of sickness. He really had been in poor health since two years ago when he was stricken with pneumonia.
The deceased was born in Germany and as a young man was married to Geske Slomer. The young couple came to America and at first located in California, but later came here and for many years resided on their farm near Flanagan, or until they retired and moved to Flanagan.
The widow and the following ten children survive: Mrs. John Ostermann and Mrs. Everett Post, of Titonka, Iowa; Mrs. Lou Rients of Dana; Mrs. Frank Bowman and Henry, John, Eilert and George Kettwich of Minonk; and Charles and Uffe Kettwich of Flanagan.