1915 - Mary J. nee' Lapp Zahler DEATH OF MRS. GEORGE ZAHLER She Had Been a Resident of Butler County Since 1871 Mrs. George Zahler, one of Butler county's pioneer women, died at her home in David City Wednesday evening, Feb 17, [1915] shortly after 8 o'clock, Mrs. Zahler's death was from pneumonia. She was sick just a week, having contracted the disease a week ago Wednesday. Mrs. Zahler was in her 70th year. She was born April 1, 1845, in Ohio, and was of German descent. Her maiden name was Mary J. Lapp. When a young girl her father, John Lapp, a shoemaker, moved his family from Illinois where he kept a shoe shop in the house for many years. In October 1863, Miss Lapp and Mr. George Zahler were united in marriage in Freeport, Illinois. In 1871, eight years after their marriage, the Zahler family came from Illinois to Nebraska and Butler county and took up their residence in a sod house on a homestead in section 24, Reading township. Here for 39 years the Zahler family resided. Mrs. Zahler with her energetic spirit and indomitable will was of great assistance to her husband in meeting the same discouragements and overcoming the same obstacles that were so familiar to the early day homesteaders. Mr. and Mrs. Zahler bought a home in David City five years ago and moved here shortly after the purchase was made. They have resided here ever since. Mrs. Zahler was the mother of eleven children, eight of whom are living. They are Mrs. Elizabeth Snyder, of San Diego, Calif.; John F. Zahler, Shawnee, Okla; Mrs. Anna Brown, of Omaha; Mrs. Grace Helming, of Lansford, N.Dak; Charles Zahler, of San Diego, Calif; Alfred and Francis Zahler, of Rising City; and Edward Zahler, of Portland, Ore. Mrs. Helming and Francis Zahler are in San Diego, Calif, visiting. Mr. Zahler and two sisters also survive Mrs. Zahler. One sister, Mrs. Lizzie Lawver, lives in Rising City; the other sister, Mrs. Anna Hunt, lives near Medina, N.Dak. Mrs. Brown came from Omaha Monday evening on account of the illness of her mother and Alfred Zahler has been here from Rising City the past week. John F. Zahler of Shawnee, Okla., will arrive here this (Thursday) evening. No definite arrangements for the funeral services have been made as yet, but they probably will be held next Tuesday [Feb 23, 1915]. The body will be held until some of Mrs. Zahler's children arrive from California. It is not known how many of them will come. Burial will be in the Rising City cemetery. ~~~~ Body of Mrs. George Zahler Was Laid to Rest Wednesday The last rites for Mrs. George Zahler, who died in her home in David City on February 17, were held on Wednesday morning, February 24, at 10 o'clock in the Lutheran church in Rising City by Rev. M. L. Melick, pastor of that church. The singers were Mrs. Clinton Hillegass, Miss Mabel Miller, Edward Dechert and Fritz Hoffman, with Mrrs. O. A. Wickert as organist. The pallbearers were Edward Brakefield, Jacob Helwig, George Moser and Peter Reinheimer, all old-time friends of the Zahler family. Burial was in the Rising Sun cemetery. The body of Mrs. Zahler lay in state at the Zahler home Tuesday afternoon prior to Christian Science services which were held at 3:30 o'clock at the Zahler residence. The services were conducted by P. H. Rosebrook and Mrs. R. A. Bennett. Mrs. Mary Maltby gave two vocal solos, "No Night There" and "Abide With Me." On Tuesday evening the remains were taken to Rising City and the body lay in state there in the home of Mrs. A. J. Kaempfer. Those going from David City to Rising City to attend the funeral services were George Zahler, husband of Mrs. Zahler, and Alfred and Francis Zahler; Mrs. Anna Brown and daughter, Olive, and son, Clyde, of Omaha; Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Helming of Lansford, N. Dak; John F. Zahler of Shawnee, Okla; John Helser of Palmer; Mrs. Lizzie Lawver, whose home is in Rising City, but who had been in the Zahler home during Mrs. Zahler's illness and since her death; Mr. and Mrs C. G. Hoker and C. H. Allen. Alfred, Francis and John Zahler, Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Helming are Zahler children. Mr. Helser is a cousin of Mrs. Zahler and had lived with the Zahler family for over twenty years. Mrs. Brown had been in David City since Monday, February 15, John Zahler came last Thursday evening, Clyde and Miss Olive Brown and John Helser came Monday evening and Francis Zahler and Mr. and Mrs. Helming, who were visiting in San Diego, Calif., arrived Monday evening. Three Zahler children, Mrs. Elizabeth Snyder and Charles Zahler, of San Diego, Calif., and Edward Zahler, of Portland, Ore., were unable to come. The many beautiful floral offerings sent to the Zahler home after the death of
Mrs. Zahler were tokens of sympathy from friends of the Zahler family and were emblematic
of the high esteem and respect with which Mrs. Zahler was regarded. |