SUMNER - Ella F. Kasemeier, 93, died on Thursday, Feb. 17, at the Community Memorial Hospital in Sumner following a brief illness.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 21 at St. John Lutheran Church, Spring Fountain, rural Sumner, with Rev. George A. Volkert officiating. Corrine Woodcock was organist and accompanied the congregation while they sang "How Great Thou Art", "Jesus, Lead Thou On" and "I'm But a Stranger Here",

Interment was in Lutheran Cemetery of Sumner Township, rural Sumner. Casket bearers were Duane Schuldt, Roger Rahlf, Leslie Rahlf, Albert Ranlf Jr., Kenneth Kasemeier, James Kasemeier and Richard Bales. Donald and Pauline Rader and Mildred Rader served on the flower committee. Visitation was held from 3 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 20 at Becker-ilnes Funeral Home in Sumner and one hour before services at the church on Monday.

Ella Frieda Kasemeier was born Dec. 29, 1906 at Davenport, the daughter of William and Martha Bonitz Rahlf. She was baptized July 14,1921 and confirmed June 11, 1922 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg. She graduated from Denver High School in 1926 and later attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. Prior to her marriage she taught rural school in Bremer County.

On June 4, 1931 she married Edwin Kasemeier at St. John Lutheran Church, Spring Fountain, rural Sumner. Mr. Kasemeier's death occurred March 15, 1971. Ella was the oldest living member of St. John Lutheran Church, Spring Fountain. She was also a member of the Ladies Aid at the church.

Survivors include three sons, Merlyn and Darryl (Connie), all of Sumner and Larry (Marsha), Dubuque; two daughters, Donna Mirs, Tripoli and Judy (Ron) Weiford, Oelwein; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; one step-great-granddaughter; one sister, Helen Shinn, Byron, MN; three sisters-in-law, Velma Rahlf, New Hampton; Marie Kasemeier, Sumner and Leona Kasemeier, Waverly; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her husband; one son-in-law, Donald "Jake" Mirs; her parents; six brothers, William, Walter, August, Albert, Emil and Richard; and two sisters, Matilda, who died in infancy and Mary Schuldt.

Source: New Hampton Tribune Feb. 22, 2000 from the Elma library collection assembled by Marian (Marr) McGee, Transcribed by ABBYY FineReader® 12, Adapted to the web by Bill Waters