Dethlef A. Asmus
Rites Held Monday

The death of Dethlef Andersen Asmus, pioneer settler of this community for more than 60 years, occurred in the Carroll hospital on Friday, August 21, after a brief illness of a few days, though he had not been real well for about two years.

Mr. Asmus was one of the sturdy pioneers that made this country what it is today, honest, industrious and true to the core. Pioneer days hardened them that they became accustomed to all the hardships of frontier life. Without a murmur or a sign of discontent they went about their daily toil and disposed of their duties for the sake of their family and the love and respect for the country and government.

Dethlef Andersen Asmus was born in Witswort, Schleswig-Holstein Germany, November 29, 1855, He was when a child baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith in 1869. Two years later in 1871 he came to America and settled in Davenport, Iowa. Mr. Asmus being much interested in farming left Davenport the next year and came to Walnut, Iowa, where he purchased a farm. On February 21, 1879, he was united in marriage with Miss Christine Fischer, to which union five children were born, two sons, Henry and William Asmus, both of Audubon, Iowa, and three daughters, Mrs. Dora Sonksen, Mrs. Wilhelmine Sonksen and Mrs. Anna Ahrendsen, all of Audubon, who are left to mourn the death of the father besides the bereaved widow and mother, Mrs. Christine Asmus. He also leaves 19 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.

After living on the farm for 41 years, they retired and moved to Manning in 1920, purchasing a fine home on Ann street where they have resided since.

The deceased had not been in the best of health for the last two years, although able to be around until about two weeks ago when his condition took a downward trend; he was removed to the hospital in Carroll where he submitted to an operation which was performed on Wednesday, August 19. Recovering apparently after the operation, his condition grew worse on Friday, August 21, when he quietly slumbered away into eternity, at the age of 75 years 8 months and 23 days. Human skill and tender care were unable to extend his life, because everything possible was done to that effect but in vain.

The funeral services were held Monday, August 24, 1931, at 2:00 p.m. from the Lutheran Church at Manning, the Reverend Johann M. Ansorge officiating. Interment was made at the Manning cemetery under a large attendance of the many friends and relatives. Those acting, as pall bearers were; Detlef Sonksen, Bernard Sonksen, Julius Sonksen, Herman Sonksen, Willie Ahrendsen and Alfred Ahrendsen.

Mr. Asmus was one of the early immigrants of Audubon county. He served an exceptionally Christian life, he was a faithful and loving husband, devoted and self sacrificing as a father, kind, charitable and helpful as a neighbor, consistent and willing as a Christian worker. He dropped asleep, the gates were lifted and he passed into eternal springtide of youth and happiness.

Relatives from a distance attending the funeral were: Mr, and Mrs. F.C, Juhl of Adair, Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. William Harnack of Monona, lowa, Mrs. Christine Fischer, Guttenburg, Iowa, Otto Fischer, Clermont, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. William Fischer and daughter, Milda; Mr. and Mrs. August Lensch, Mr. and Mrs. August Fischer, Julius Fischer, Willie Fischer, Mrs. Ed Fischer, Mr. and Mrs. John Koehrsen, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Koehrsen, Mrs. Ernestine Smithhall of Walnut, Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. Emil Fischer, Avoca, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Heiden, Denison, lowa; Mrs. August Polzin of Chilhum, Mo.; Mr. and Mrs. August Polzin and daughter, Ruth, Creighton, Missouri, Mr. and Mrs. Gus Dreger and son, Paul, of Atlantic, Iowa; Mrs. Helene Ullerich, Atlantic, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Hans Griebel and daughter, Ida, Madison, South Dakota; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Asmus, Audubon, Iowa.

In Memory of Dethlef Asmus.
(Contributed)
We have lost our darling father
He has bid us all adieu
He has gone to live in Heaven
And his form is lost to view.
O that dear one how we loved him
O how hard to give him up
But an Angel came and took him
And removed him from our sight.
Farewell father sweet thy rest,
Weary with years and worn with pain
Farewell till in some happy place
We shall behold thy face again.
Tis ours to miss thee all our years.
And tender memories of thee keep
Thine in the Lord to rest,
For He giveth his beloved sleep.
Weep not for his toil is over
Weep not for his race is done
God grant that we rest as calmly
When our work like his is done,
Till than we yield with gladness
Our father to Him to keep,
We rejoice in the sweet assurance
He giveth His loved ones sleep.