Untitled Document

Republic March 9, 1934

MRS. ADELINE GRADERT, 74, A RESIDENT HERE SINCE GIRLHOOD IS SUMMONED

Mrs. Adeline gradert, a resident of this community for nearly sixty years passed away, Monday March 5, 1934 at 2:30 pm at her home on South Spring Street, her age being 74 years 2 months and 14 days. She had been ill since February 3, when she suffered a stroke of paralysis.

Adeline Kathka Gradert was the only daughter of Jacob and Wihelmina Kathka and was born in the extreme Western part of Prussia , December 21, 1859 . Two brothers died in early childhood from Diphtheria. Living the life of the normal German girl she learned to knit, sew, and to use the spinning wheel. She attended the Lutheran church being confirmed in Germany . At the age of 15 years she came with her mother to America , her father having passed away previous to that time. The voyage across the ocean was a stormy, twelve day trip and she often told how the ship rolled and tossed in the storms, making it neccessary to keep the pumps going most of the time. Landing in New York the mother and daughter came at once to Edford township where they made thier home. Soon afterwards Adeline secured employment in Geneseo.

On October 24, 1879 she was united in marriage to John Gradert, the ceromony being performed in Concordia Lutheran church with Rev. Ernst Mangledorf reading the service. The couple made thier home at the William Gradert place in Cornwall township, but farmed the Lewis Shearer place for twenty seven years. In the meantime they bought two 80 acre tracts of land. In 1903 they retired and moved to Geneseo. Given no children of their own they adopted a son, William Gradert, who survives. On October 24, 1929 Mr. and Mrs. Gradert celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Mr. Gradert passed away, August 18, 1931 .

Surviving are the foster son, William Gradert; six grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and 6 nephews, Lewis, Henry, William Gradert, Carl Schroeder of Geneseo; John Schroeder of New York State, William Schroeder of Tochester Minn; two nieces, Mrs. Dora Hutchinson and Mrs. Augusta Nitz of Geneseo. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the home at 2 o'clock and at Concordia Lutheran Church at 2:30 with the Rev. H. J. Elling in charge. Singers were Lillian Wiese, Olga Newman, Cleone Windisch, Margaret Reinking, Gladys Frederickson and Dorothy Franks. Pallbearers were Walter, Albert, Floyd, and Russell Gradert of Geneseo, Lloyd Gradert of Annawan and Henry Gradert of Mineral. Burial was in Oakwood cemetery.

Copy of Obit on file sent to Robin from Fama Prokup

Illinois Ancestors