Remembering

My Father, Bernard Joseph Deatsch was born in March of 1909. In 1908, his Mother, Josephine, had survived a long and difficult labor and birth. Sadly the child, a little girl, Christina Catherine did not survive. Josephine's Father, Martin Birrer arranged the burial at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, near Hills, IA (Where the Birrers are buried). Her grave was never marked and early records are incomplete. Over the years the location of her grave was lost in obscurity, as the Grandparents died and her parents were busy caring for their large family. In the late 1940, George and Josephine tried unsuccessfully to discover the grave site, so a stone could be set. In later years,, several of the next generation initiated further searches, sadly also unsucessful. At the family reunions, this problem was discussed. At the July 2009 reunion, the group decided to accept donations from the "cousins (neices & nephews)" and purchase a headstone for Christina and place it near her parents, who are buried at St. Vincent's Cemetery, west of Riverside, IA. When Josephine died in the mid 1950s, her sons made arrangements for 3 spaces at St. Vincent's, near the graves of George's parents and Grandparents. Melo was not married at this time, so a space was obtained for him, as well. Later he would marry Aunt Garna and is buried with her at Washington, IA. The next summer, Bernard(my Dad) went to Riverside and obtained 6 additional spaces, 3 for his use and 3 for his brother, Sim. And now they all rest in peace, side by side in a row, Grandma & Grandpa, Dad and Mom, and Aunt Alice and Uncle Sim. Each family unit has one unused space, so there is room for Christina Catherine's headstone, near her parents. We have been told that the Board, which oversees St. Vincent's has been doing some landscaping and making improvements, so we will look forward to seeing what they have accomplished. The cemetery is well maintained and beautiful. We hope that future generations appreciate our efforts to erect a monument in her memory and are not confused that it is placed in a different cemetery. By placing it near her parents, and two siblings, it was hoped it would make it easier to "see" the connection to the family.

Reunions

There will be a meeting of the DEATSCH cousins for dinner on 5 July 2009. I had hoped to attend, but was not able to make the necessary arrangements. Had attended the ones held in July 2000, and July 2005. Nice to see everyone at a pleasant occasion, instead of at a funeral. And this will be the first one, where we, the cousins are the older generation. There are 30 of us left, ranging in age from 77 to 53. I am #21 of the original 36. Enjoy!

MY GREATGRANDPARENTS

John and his wife Catherine "Rummelhart",

second generation in America.
Their graves lie near his parents at the crest of the hill,

in St. Vincent's, west of Riverside, IA.

MY GRANDPARENTS

St. Vincent's Cemetery, west of Riverside, IA. My Grandparents, the third generation of Deatsch's to buried here. Their plot lies to the southwest corner of this lovely cemetery. There were 9 spaces originally. Their sons arranged for their spaces at time of Josephine's death in 1954. They secured 3 spaces, as Uncle Melo was not married at that time. He married late in life and lies beside his wife at Elm Grove, Washington, IA. Bernard and Sim each have 3 spaces.

MY PARENTS

My parents' stone at St. Vincent's Cemetery, west of Riverside, IA.

Memorial Day

This tall weathered stone stands at St. Vincent's Cemetery, west of Riverside, IA. It marks the graves of Sebastian John Deatsch and his wife Mary. My Great,great,great Grandparents. The first Deatschs to come to America. Nearby are the graves of their son, John Deatsch & his wife Catherine Rummelhart. Further to the west, are the graves of their grandson, George and his wife Josephine Birrer, my Grandparents. And immediately to the north of George's grave are those of two of their sons and the sons' wives. Sim & Alice and Bernard and Mary. The wives were sisters (Thompsons). Bernard and Mary are my parents. St. Vincent's is a lovely cemetery, well cared for, and peaceful. It lies amidst the cornfields and has several large trees. Rest in Peace.

My MOTHER'S Birthday

This date 1913, Mary Coletta Thompson was born. She and her twin brother, Wheelar were quite a surprise to their parents. Winifred Quinn Thompson had not seen a doctor until he was called to come and assist with the home birth. Winnie always laughed and said "Your first child takes all your time, so two can't take anymore!" Raised on small farms in Washington County, IA, Mary eventually graduated from Riverside Public High School. She attended the summer program for teachers at Cedar Falls, IA. She often spoke of how terribly homesick she was on this first time away from her home. She taught in local area rural schools for several years. The Quinns were of the Catholic faith and Winnie was married in the church and the twins were baptised, but circumstances intervened and they were not active participants. After she was grown, Mary took instructions and became an active Catholic. On January 2, 1936 she married Bernard Joseph Deatsch at St. Mary's in Riverside. They went to live at the Vernon Burr farm near Lone Tree, Ia, where Bernard was employed. The winter of 1936 was one of the worse weather seasons in Iowa history, followed by one of the hottest summers! Mary was an excellent cook and seamstress. In the 1950s, Mary survived a serious heart attack. In the 1960s and 70s, she would be diagnosed with maturity onset diabetes. In the mid 1970s, she suffered a stroke, which left her incapacitated, and at the same time she was loosing her vision to complications of the diabetes. Bernard took early retirement from his job at AMANA to care for her in their home in Parnell, IA. She died in September 1977 and is buried at St. Vincent's Cemetery, just west of Riverside.