Memorials › Rosa Catherine Elizabeth Wagner Stecher

Rosa Catherine Elizabeth Wagner Stecher

19 Mar 1853 – 15 Jan 1933

Birth	19 Mar 1853
Death	15 Jan 1933
Cemetery	Logan Cemetery Winslow , Dodge County , Nebraska , USA
Added by	hhwagner on 15 Aug 2006
FaG	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15363242

Bio

The Hooper Sentinel Jan. 19, 1933 Mrs. Jos. Stecher Called By Death Slowly, but surely, the real pioneer residents of this community are, being called to their eternal rest, and this week it becomes our duty to chronicle the passing of one who has been a resident of the locality since 1861. This is Mrs. Joseph Stecher, who passed away about 3 o'clock, Sunday after noon, January, 15, 1933, at the old farm home, the present home of her son, Louis, about four miles northeast of Hooper. An illness of a week which developed into pneumonia was the cause of her death. Previous to that time she had enjoyed good health. She passed away at the age of 79 years, 9 months and 26 days, and of the original family that came to Nebraska in the early days, Mrs. Stecher was the last. As Rose Catherine Elizabeth Wagner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Wagner, she was born on March 19, 1853 in Cleveland, Ohio. When a child of three she went with her parents to Madison, Wisc., residing there until 1861. On April 1st of that year the family in company with the Schwab family started for Nebraska by ox team arriving here on July 4. The trip, while a hard and tedious one, was, however, filled with much to interest a girl of eight years and according to a sketch give by her at the unveiling of the Logan Mills monument in 1930 was also filed with impressions that remained with her the rest of her life. The hardships of the trip and the rigors of the early winters moulded a depth of character in the pioneers which is difficult to find among the present day people. Her first home in this community was an abandoned two room log cabin about a mile from the Logan Mills that was shared for a time by both the Wagner and Schwab families. Her father then pre-empted a 160 acre claim which he later homesteaded and on which a log house was built in 1862. From then on this county has been her home and among its people she had become beloved and widely known. Her marriage to Joseph Stecher took place at Fremont on February 6, 1878. Following the marriage they located on the farm now the home of her son, Louis. Here she and Mr. Stecher resided until seventeen years ago when they retired from farm life to enjoy a well earned rest and moved to Fremont. Four months ago they came back to the old familiar landmarks and took up their home in Winslow, but death destined her not to remain long amid the circle of her old time friendships. As a wife and mother Mrs. Stecher was ever devoted to her family, as a friend ever faithful and helping and as a resident always held in the highest esteem by all. Her passing is sincerely regretted by everyone who knew her and all extend sympathy to the family in their loss. She was the mother of four sons, two having preceded her in death, Frank in infancy and Francis in 1928. Surviving sons are Lester of Potter and Louis of Hooper, who with the father now mourn the passing of a much beloved mother and wife. Four grandchildren also survive her. Following her death her body was taken charge of by the Wolmer & Warne mortuary service until the day of the funeral. This was yesterday with short services first being held at 1:30 at the Louis Stecher farm home and at 2 O'clock from the Grace Lutheran church, in which faith she had been reared and maintained. An audience that filled the church was present to pay their tribute to the memory of this beloved woman and pay heed to the words of comfort as pronounced by the pastor, Rev. W. H. Moeller. Interment was made in the Logan cemetery, which is a part of the original Wagner homestead and in which her father, who passed away in 1865, was the first interred.hhw - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -The Schwab and Wagner journey from Wisconsin to Nebraska in 1861 as told by Mrs. Rose Wagner Stecher: We started April 1st from Madison and landed in Nebraska on July 4th. Travelled with oxen and covered wagon. We found an abandoned loghouse about one mile from Logan mill. It had one room below and one room above. It was not plastered. Both families moved in. There were six of us and five of the Schwabs. During fall and winter Schwabs built their house on land that is still owned by their grandson, Harry Schwab. We lived in rather close quarters the first winter. There were two stoves, two beds, tables and chairs besides a large chest that was used as a cupboard. While we travelled for three months we only had the stove out twice for washing. All we lived on was toasted bread and milk. Mother toasted bread all winter. Many sacks were filled. We had two cows. Milk was put in a large jar. So it was the same bill of fare every day including some cured meat of our own. We found only two places where we could buy food. One of them had only potatoes and the other had eggs. We bought a large wash basin full of eggs for five cents. Many a day we traveled from four in the morning until sun down with no water all day, oxen and cows having their tongues hanging out of parched mouths. More than once we expected to die from thirst and heat. We did not have much milk as cows traveling all day could not give milk. I was eight years old but that scene was stamped on my memory where it will remain until death erases it. During the winter we had heavy snows and blizzards. The older boys slept upstairs on feather beds, no beds. They were often covered with several inches of snow mornings. My father George Wagner pre- empted 160 acres which he afterwards homesteaded. In 1862 we built a loghouse. In 1864 father was taken sick and the nearest town was Omaha. No chance to get a doctor. Sixty miles is a long distance when oxen were the only conveyance to travel with. It took a week for the round trip. There were no cemeteries in those days, so father gave 2 acres from his homestead for the Logan Cemetery. He died March l4, 1865 and was the first man buried there. The snow was very deep and there was no place to get a coffin. We had to make one out of cottonwood boards that were sawed near Logan Mill. We had only a common saw and no plane. It was made coffin shape top and bottom alike. They painted it with ashes and water. A great difference between coffins then and now. I think people were more satisfied then with our simple ways than now with all the splendor and high living.hhw

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Joseph Stecher 1857–1934

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