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- A TRIBUTE TO MATTIE (JAHN) RABE Mattie Jahn was the daughter of Carl and Bertha (Krause) Jahn. She was born August 2, 1893, in Hanover Township, Crawford County, Iowa. Her father was born in Pomern, Germany, received his education and spent his youth in his homeland. He learned the trade of bricklayer before coming to the United States and to Chicago when a young man. Her mother was born in Berlin and also received her education in Germany. She and a sister left Germany and came to America, locating in Chicago where two of her sisters had already settled. She found employment there assisting with housework in various homes. After their marriage Carl and Bertha resided in Chicago. About 1884, they came to Crawford County and located on a farm in Hanover Township. They remained on this farm until they retired and came to Charter Oak to live until their passing. Mattie (Jahn) Rabe attended the rural school in Han- over Township, having to walk four miles each day to and from school. She also attended St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hanover Township and was confirmed there. Most of her youth was spent at the homes of her sisters, helping with the housework and taking care of the children. On March 14, 1913, she was married to Albert Rabe at St. John's Lutheran Church in Charter Oak. They ; were the parents of five children: Martin (deceased), Ernest of Kansas City, Missouri; Adeline Woock of Sioux City, Iowa; Bernard of Highland, California; and [ Vernon of Sioux City. There are 13 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. After their marriage they lived on a farm, four miles east of Charter Oak, later moving to Charter Oak. After coming to town, Mattie worked in a restaurant as well as a store. She also assisted in caring for the aged and ill in their homes. During World War II, she served the Charter Oak exchange as night operator. She continued as the switchboard operator until Charter Oak changed its telephone system to dial. Her duty as a telephone operator, with an exchange of approximately 325 subscribers, was not only answering their calls, but tracing calls, calling officers, locating a doctor in an emergency, and notifying firemen of a fire. When time permitted, between raising her family and working, Mattie liked to indulge in her hobbies of crocheting, gardening, and working with flowers. Mattie (Jahn) Rabe was honored on her 86th birthday, with an Open House on August 26, 1979, at the Charter Oak Community Building. The event was hosted by her children, and was attended by numerous friends and relatives. Mattie resided at Eventide Lutheran Home for the Aged in Denison, Iowa, for a number of years before her death on February 1, 1986. Submitted by Vernon Rabe (Taken from "The History of Charter Oak, Iowa").
Mathilda Johanna Rabe was born on August 2, 1893, in Crawford County, Iowa, the daughter of Carl and Bertha Krause Jahn. She died Saturday afternoon, February 1, 1986, at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa, at the age of 92.
Mathilda spent her formative years in Crawford County. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Hanover Township, by Reverend Runge. She received her formal education in the Hanover Township school.
Mathilda was united in marriage to Albert Rabe on March 14, 1913, at Charter Oak, Iowa, by Reverend Amstein. Together, they made their home on a farm near Charter Oak, Iowa. They also lived near Mapleton, Iowa, for three years and Westfield, Iowa, for seven years. To this union, five sons and one daughter was born. Mathilda spent her later years in Charter Oak, Iowa. She entered the Eventide Lutheran Home on October 27, 1976, due to failing health.
In addition to her parents, Mathilda was preceded in death by two sons, Wilbur and Martin; three brothers, Carl, Ben, and Otto; six sisters, Amelia, Bertha, Ida, Minnie, Anna, and Louise; and her granddaughter, Janet.
Survivors include three sons, Bernhard of California, Ernest of North Kansas City, Missouri, and Vernon of Sioux City, Iowa, and one daughter, Adeline Woock of Sioux City, Iowa. She is further survived by twelve grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren, as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, February 4, 1986, at 11:00 a.m. at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Charter Oak, Iowa. Interment was in the St. Paul's Cemetery, Hanover Township. The Reverend L.C. Gebhardt officiated at the services and graveside rites. The St. John Ladies' Choir, with Mrs. Darlene Clausen as organist, provided music for the services. Hymns sung by the choir were "I'm But a Stranger Here" and "What a Friend We Have in Jesus", with the congregation singing "Abide With Me".
Serving as pallbearers for the services were Thomas Remmes, Alvin Kutschinski, Alvern Hopp, Vernon Bielow, Edgar Glockzien, and Earl Schultz. Funeral arrangements were made under the direction of the Huebner Funeral Home of Charter Oak, Iowa. (taken from a newspaper clipping - obituary saved by Erna Friedrichs)
In Memory of MATHILDA J. RABE August 2, 1893 - February 1, 1986 Services St. John's Lutheran Church 11:00 A.M. - Tuesday, February 4, 1986 Charter Oak, Iowa Officiating Rev. L.C. Gebhardt Music Mrs. Darlene Clausen - Organist St. John's Ladies' Choir Selections "I'm But A Stranger Here" "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" Congregation "Abide With Me" Bearers Thomas Remmes Vernon Bielow Alvin Kutschinski Edgar Glockzien Alvern Hopp Earl Schultz Interment St. Paul's Cemetery Hanover Township Huebner Funeral Service Walter A. Huebner Wayne M Euehl. (Taken from the In Memorium of Mathilda Rabe)
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