Located in the northwest corner of the northeast quarter of Section 2
in Bismarck Township
Information provided by Marcha Hatterman
On 14 June, 1882, before Christ Schwanke and S. S. Krake, Justice of the Peace for Cuming County, a warranty deed filed from G. A. (Gustav Adolph) Heller, his wife, A.B.C. (Adrienna Blanche Clara) (Von Drefson) Heller and Gustav's brother, Emiel Heller to Wilhelm Ehrenfried Frederich Heller, father of Gustav and Emiel Heller. The warranty deed established one half (1/2) acre in the Northwest corner of the North East one quarter (1/4) of Section Two (2), Township Twenty-two (22), Range Four (4) East described further as real estate used as a cemetery for the sum of Five dollars ($5.00).
Wilhelm E. F. Heller donated this land for the establishment of a Lutheran
church and cemetery. Dates reveal Frederich Michael Heller, brother of Wilhelm
E.F. Heller and uncle to Gustav and Emiel Heller, was already buried on this
property given Frederich's passing in 1868. Further information claims Frederich
Michael Heller carried some earth from Dodge County, Wisconsin, when the Heller
family migrated to Nebraska. His wishes, at his death, was for the Wisconsin
earth to be placed on the top of his grave. Knowing the earth would disappear
given the Nebraska winds, Frederich directed the grave and Wisconsin earth be
covered with concrete. Also
buried at the site was Maria Elisabeth Wilhelmine (Daberkow) Heller, wife of
Wilhelm E.F. Heller and mother of Gustav, Emiel, Anton and Frank Heller. She
passed away in 1874.
Earlier settlers in the county claimed Wilhelm E. F. Heller farmed and raised numerous sheep. Not being of strong Lutheran faith, Mr. Heller rarely attended church. Questioned about his numerous absences, Mr. Heller would use the caring of his sheep as an excuse. After the land was donated but before the church became reality, church members were in sharp disagreements. A vote was taken concluding since Mr. Heller missed services often, maybe the building of their church should be closer especially for those people who attend. Wilhelm E. F. Heller died before St. John's Lutheran Church was actually built. This church is built approximately 2 1/2 miles east of the donated land and current cemetery.
The north burial location is Frederich Michael Heller, son of Christlieb Heller, brother of Wilhelm E.F. Heller and husband to Fredaricka Henrietta (Heller) Heller. Also, Frederich Michael and Fredaricka Henrietta (Heller) Heller's unmarried son, Franz Fredrich Heller, is buried close to his father.
Frederich Michael Heller
geb den: 7 June 1821 - Rehwinkel, Pommern, Preussen, (Germany)
gest den: 27 September 1868 - Wisner, Cuming County, Nebraska, U.S.A.
Franz Fredrich Heller
born: 16 March 1864 - Watertown, Dodge County, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
died: 20 May 1925 - Wisner, Cuming County, Nebraska, U.S.A
"Gott ist ein Vater der Waisen und ein Richter der Wittwen"
(translation: "God is a Father of Orphans and a Judge of Widows")
The south burial location has another son born to Frederich Michael and Fredaricka Henrietta (Heller) Heller. This is Wilhelm Fredrich Heller. Buried along side Wilhelm Fredrich Heller is his wife, Martha Maria Koehler Heller, daughter of Wilhelm Koehler and Augusta (Juesh) Heller.
Wilhelm (William) Fredrich Heller
born: 28 June 1859 - Watertown, Dodge County, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
died: 1 February 1913 - Wisner, Cuming County, Nebraska, U.S.A
Martha Maria (Koehler) Heller
born: 1862 - Germany
died: 1923 - Wisner, Cuming County, Nebraska, U.S.A.
Friedaricka Henrietta (Heller) Heller, wife of Friedrich Michael Heller, remarried Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Liermann. She is buried at the Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, South of Wisner. To date, we have not idea where her second husband is buried.
Between these two burial location sets another site where Wilhelm E.F. Heller, son of Christlieb Heller and brother to Frederich Michael Heller, is buried. Buried along side Wilhelm E.F. Heller is his wife, Maria Elisabeth Wilhelmine (Daberkow) Heller, daughter of Michael Erdman Daberkow and Maria Elizabeth (Becker) Daberkow.
Wilhelm Ehrenfried Frederich Heller
born: 26 August 1816 - Ball, Saatzig, Pommern, Preussen (Germany)
died: 3 April 1888 - Wisner, Cuming County, Nebraska, U.S.A.
Maria Elisabeth Wilhelmine (Daberkow) Heller
born: 22 July 1824 - Richnow, Soldin, Brandenburg, Preussen (Germany)
died: April 1874 - Wisner, Cuming County, Nebraska, U.S.A.
Descendents of early settlers claim more Heller family members were buried in this cemetery. They also claim, some family members were moved and reburied in the Wisner City Cemetery. To date, this point has not been proven.
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