FREDRICKE MINNA KAPPE
(nee RISTENPART)
DOB: March 19, 1877
Two miles south of Beecher, IL USA
DOD: March 3, 1948
Hazelcrest Hospital, Hazelcrest, IL USA
Daughter of Friedrich and Louise (nee Ortung) Ristenpart
Sister to: William (Hermine Danne), Emma (Heinrich Fiene), Fred (Carrie Paulsen), Bertha and Louise Ristenpart
Wife of George Kappe, married March 15, 1899
Mother of Regina (Dr. Henry C. Krueger), Harriet E. (Russell A. Piper), and Erna Kappe
July 31, 1930 – Beecher Herald
KAPPE FARM SCENE OF DISASTEROUS FIRE
Early Saturday morning, the Beecher Volunteer Fire Department responded to a call from the farm home of George Kappe, just south of town, when the large barn, tool shed and corn crib were ablaze. The fire had gained such headway before it was discovered, that none of the three buildings could be saved, so efforts were turned towards protecting those remaining. How the fire originated remains unknown, although it is thought that it was caused by spontaneous combustion in the hay, due to the excessive heat the preceding days.
The Kappe family were not aware of the fire until aroused by two men who were driving past in a truck. Noticing that there was no one about the blaze, they turned in the alarm.
The Kappe entails a heavy loss besides the buildings destroyed. About 30 tons of hay, 800 bushels of corn, 2 horses and some farm machinery were also burned. A tractor and an automobile were saved. We understand the loss is partially covered by insurance.
March 11, 1948 – Beecher Herald
OBITUARY
Mrs. George (Minnie) Kappe
The departed, Mrs. Minnie Kappe, nee Ristenpart, daughter of Fred Ristenpart and his wife, Louise Ortung, both deceased, was born, March 19, 1877, two miles south of Beecher. The child of Christian parents, she was soon after birth, received into the family of the children of God through baptism. Later in life, following a course of religious instruction, she was confirmed with others, March 30, 1890, in St. John’s Evan. & Reformed Church by the late Rev. G. Koch. On March 15, 1899, she was, in the same church and by the same pastor, united in holy wedlock with Mr. George Kappe, which happy union was blessed with four children, of whom, one, Erna, six days after birth, preceded the parents in death. The surviving children, who now deeply mourn the passing of a fine loving mother are: Regina, (Mrs. Henry Krueger), Clear Lake, Iowa; Henry, Beecher; Harriet, (Mrs. Russell Piper), Beecher.
Immediately after marriage, the young couple engaged in farming on the present home site where their combined labors were signally blessed throughout the years, granting them a care-free life. When on Feb. 27, 1941, the loving husband and father was called to his eternal rest, the departed remained on the homestead, happy in the loving care and attention given her on the part of her loved ones, and especially cheered and comforted by a late visit of her daughter, Regina. She nevertheless longed for and prayed to be taken to her eternal home. This desire was deepened after partaking of the Lord’s Supper and consenting to be taken to the Hazel Crest Hospital, upon suggestion of her doctor, where as she had long desired, she peacefully fell asleep, Wed., March 3, at 7:55 p.m. at the age of 70 years, 11 months and 14 days.
She leaves to mourn, her children already mentioned, 6 grandchildren, a daughter-in-law, 2 brothers-in-law, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were conducted, Sat. March 6, beginning at 1:30 p.m. at the Hack Funeral Home and continued at St. Luke’s Church where her pastor Rev. G. Horst, spoke consolingly to a large concourse of relatives and friends. A choir composed of Mrs. George Ostermeyer and daughter, Delphene, Mrs. Henry Meeter, Mrs. Vern Henerberg and Mrs. William Selk, rendered three appropriate songs, accompanied by Mrs. Rose Hunte. Many beautiful floral pieces gave eloquent evidence of the very high esteem in which she was held by those who knew her. She was laid to rest in the Beecher Mausoleum.
The departed, always doing what she could as wife and mother, for which double role she was especially gifted with a beautiful love, sympathetic understanding and rare patience, was deeply rooted in the Word of God, which nourished and strengthened her faith and hope. As an active, loyal member of St. Luke’s Church and the Women’s Guild, she never failed in willingly and liberally upholding both as also the larger kingdom work in its various branches. Thus living a full, rich, Christian life here on earth, ever drawn by the loving kindness of her heavenly Father (Jeremiah 31:3) we may well bid her farewell in the comfort and hope that the everlasting love of her heavenly Father and the glory of her Savior eternally enfold her.
Minnie’s family members also resting in the mausoleum are:
Husband: George Kappe
Husband’s Grandfather: Charles W. Beseke
Brother & Sister-in-law: William Ristenpart & Hermine (Danne) Ristenpart
Sister & Brother-in-law: Emma (Ristenpart) Fiene & Henry Fiene
Husband’s Uncle & Aunt: Charles Beseke & Margreta (Tobeck) Beseke
Husband’s Uncle: Conrad E. Beseke
Husband’s Aunt & Uncle: Caroline (Beseke) Kirchhoff & Louis Kirchhoff
Husband’s Cousin: Harry W. Kirchhoff
Husbands Cousins: Frieda (Beseke) Riley McCarthy & John J. Riley
Other, more distant family include: Bahlman, Batterman, Bergmeier, Beseke, Bielfeldt, Bohl, Cloidt, Dunlap, Engleking, Fenske, Fick, Fiene, Freerking, Frobose, Graham, Guritz, Hack, Hager, Haltenhof , Heine, Heldt, Hildeman, Hinze, Hoffman, Hoppensteadt, Horn, Hunte, Kaczynski, Kappe, Kilborn, Kirchhoff, Klocksieben, Koch, Langreder, Leder, Maass, Matthias, Mc Carty, Meyer, Monk, Niedert, Ohlendorf, Pansa, Peters, Pralle, Riley, Ristenpart, Rohe, Rust, Saller, Selk, Struve, Thielman, Vagt, Von Engeln, Wegert, Wehmhoefer, Wiechen, Westphal, Wilkening,