Because Lucille grew up north of Denison in Ottercreek Township, I don't have much about her ancestry, but I do have quite a bit of Ress history which I'll feature in her tribute.
There were a number of other Reimers families in Manning but I don't think they were connected to Lucille and her Reimers family.
Most of the Ress pictures came from Leroy Rowedder's wife, Winona (Jochimsen) Rowedder's collection.
Winona's mother was Ida (Ress) Jochimsen, daughter of Gustav and Wilhelmine (Fischer) Ress.
Ida's siblings were: Ernest, Emil, Hugo, Clara Hammer, Ella Asmus, Pauline Lake, Edna Hansen, Anna Hoelscher, and Norma Wenzel
Lucille was a part of the Greatest Generation and they are just about all gone now. There are so few of them living today who can give us insight into the Pioneer Past that completely escapes the perspectives of the generations living today.
There are now only 4 people living from our farm neighborhood from this generation: Gladys Schmidt, Edna Nissen, and Dorothy Kusel and they all are still living on the same farms, with Dorothy Strosahl now living in Manning,...the Mundt, Genzen, Kasperbauer, Opperman, Lengemann, Andresen, Sporrer, Schroeder, Spies, Hill, Strosahl, 2 Nissen brothers, Ida Kusel, Mel & Marge Kusel, Gerald Hockett and Grau families are all gone.
On Friday, January 1, 2021, Lucille passed away at Accura Healthcare of Manning, at the age of 95 years, and 4 months.
Private family graveside services will be held January 5, 2021, at Manning Cemetery in Manning.
Ohde Funeral Home in Manning is in charge of arrangements.
Lucille Emma, daughter of Johann Gustav and Emma Amelia (Rehmke) Reimers, was born September 1, 1925, in Otter Creek Township, Crawford County, Iowa. After starting her schooling in rural schools, she graduated from Schleswig High School in 1943. Lucille then worked as a hired girl doing housework for other families.
On February 21, 1946, Lucille was united in marriage with Walter Emil Ress. A daughter, Janice, was born to this couple. Lucille and Walter first lived in Schleswig and then in 1950 moved to Aspinwall. Three years later they moved north of Manning where they farmed for 16 years. They moved into Manning in 1969 and in 1972 to the home where they remained.
Lucille worked in housekeeping at the Manning Plaza for 25 years, retiring in 1993. She was a dedicated member of Zion Lutheran Church in Manning and in her spare time she enjoyed reading.
Preceding Lucille in death are her parents; husband Walter Ress; three sisters: Hilda and husband Herbert Schau, Anna Reimers, and Elsie T. Reimers; and a brother John T. Reimers and wife Henrietta.
She is survived by her daughter, Janice L. Ress of Manning; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Wilhelmine Ress working with her potatoes, brushing the soil off and sorting them October 1920
Wilhelmine Ress October 1920
Wilhelmine Ress June 1919
Wilhelmine Louise Anna, daughter of Wilhelmine Duwe and Fred Fischer was born December 12, 1878, near Walnut and died Wednesday November 21, 1956, at the Manning General Hospital at the age of 78 years, 11 months, and 9 days. Burial was Manning Cemetery.
In infancy she was baptized in the Lutheran faith and on May 11, 1898, she renewed her baptismal covenant through the rite of confirmation in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Lincoln Township, Audubon County.
She was united in marriage to Gus Ress and to this union ten children were born.
The family lived on farms near Manilla and Manning until in 1931 when they moved to the family home in Manilla.
August 15, 1945, Mr. and Mrs. Ress celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.
After her husband's death in 1947, Mrs. Ress health began a gradual decline. Since 1953 she has been confined to a wheelchair. On November 12 she was taken to the Manning Hospital after she suffered a stroke in her throat and it was there she died.
She was a member of the Ladies Aid Society of the Manilla Lutheran Church.
She is survived by three sons, Hugo and Emil of Manning and Ernest of Manilla; seven daughters, Mrs. Clara Hammer of Denison, Mrs. Ella Asmus of Audubon, Mrs. Pauline Lake of Manning, Mrs. Ida Jochimson of Manilla, Mrs. Edna Hansen of Manilla, Mrs. Anna Hoelscher of Audubon and Mrs. Norma Wenzel of Botna, three brothers, Henry, August and Herman all of Manning and three sisters, Mrs. Ida Dammann, Mrs. Dora Dammann and Mrs. Ella Schade, all of Manning; 28 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
Her husband and two sisters, Lucy and Emma preceded her in death.
Services were held Saturday November 24, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Manilla with Rev. L.W. Nulzmann officiating.
Burial was in the Manning Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Louie Dammann, Earl Fischer, M.M. Dammann, Jr., George Fischer, Walter Dammann, and Elmer Fischer.