Mrs. Emilie Maass, one of the early settlers of this vicinity passed to the great beyond Friday night, January 18, 1929, at about 11:30 o’clock. While it was known that Mrs. Maass’s condition had been serious for several days, her death came as a shock to all who knew and loved her.
She was taken ill with Flu and erysipelas about four weeks ago and had been confined to her bed the past three weeks. Everything that medical skill could do, was done for her, and she was given faithful and loving care fy her sister, Mrs. Bertha Kutemeyer and her granddaughter Mrs. Lydia Michaels who were in constant attendance, but to no avail. She failed to rally and continued to grow worse until the end.
Emilie Mass nee Hamann, was born at Schoenfeldt, Province of Brandenburg, Germany, on July 19, 1849. On may 13, 1861 she emigrated to the United States and resided at Crete, Illinois, where she was united in Holy Wedlock to William Maass on May 21, 1864. They made their home in that vicinity for a short time but eventually settled on the home farm in Sumner Township.
Thirteen children were born to this union, of which seven survive. On November 10, 1893 her husband passed away, leaving her a widow with thirteen small children. After her husband’s death Mrs. Maass continued to live on the farm, where she labored endlessly for the betterment of her family, no sacrifice too great for her family. Six grown children preceeded her in death, they being Ida, Anna (Mrs. William Hopner), Bertha (Mrs. William Wilken), William, Amelia, and Rudolph. The latter dying on January 12, 1926. After his going the aged mother was broken at heart and soul and never fully recovered from the shock of his death. The deceased was a loving wife, devoted mother and sister and a kind neighbor. In her passing away she leaves to mourn the following immediate relatives: the children, Albert and Otto of this place, Alexander of Momence, Leona (Mrs. Bernhard Wilken) of Chicago Heights, Mathilda (Mrs. H>H> Keeney) and Benjamin also of this vicinity and Adlai of Joliet. Two sisters, Mrs. Augusta Kopeschke of Welcome, Minn. And Mrs. Bertha Kutemeyer of Chicago Heights, 27 grandchildren and one niece. Mrs. Lydia Michaels whom she mothered since childhood is doubly bereaved in the loss of this grandmother who was also a mother. Twelve great grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends. The departed was a member of the local St. Peter’s Evangelical Church and the Lady’s Aid Society of which she was an active member and attended whenever her health permitted. Funeral services were held at the home on Tuesday at 12:30 and 1:00 o’clock from the St. Peter’s Evangelical Church. Rev. E.F. Wilking officiated at the services. Internment was made in the Evangelical Cemetery in Sumner Township.
Top Picture: Wilhelm Maass
2nd From Top: Emilie Hamann Maass
Bottom Picture: Emilie Hamann Maass with some of her great-grandchildren, Far left, William R. Maass (born 1920)and far right Mildred Michaels (Lydia's daughter).