Sunday's Obituary: Ada Gossau

In loving memory of Aunt Ada, here is the obituary of Ada B. Gossau from the Leola (Workman) Crapser's files.

 

Ada B. Gossau
Ada Blanche Gossau, 71, died Saturday, Nov. 28, 1987 at the Estelline Community Hospital.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Sterling United Methodist Church, rural Brookings with the Rev. Penny Ritter officiating.  Burial will be at Sterling Methodist Cemetery.  Visitations may be made from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Rude's Funeral Home; the family will be in attendance.  Visitations also may be made preceding services Tuesday at the church.

Ada Blanche Gossau was born Sept. 10, 1916, in Sterling Township, Brookings County, to Jessie and Blanche (Heard) Workman.  She attended rural school in Sterling Township and graduated from Brookings High School.  She then moved to Chicago and spent several years there working in factories.  She also lived in California for a year.  She married Charles T. Gossau on June 2, 1947, in Pipestone, Minn., and the couple made Brookings their home.  She worked at various jobs in Brookings until retiring in 1980.  Mr Gossau died May 1, 1987, in Sioux Falls.  She enjoyed bowling, fishing and craft work.

Survivors include one daughter, Margaret Gossau of Brookings, and two sisters, Mrs. Sara (Raymond) Laganella of Philadelphia, Pa., and Mrs. Leola Crapser of Sioux Falls.  She was preceded in death by her husband and one brother.

Those Places Thursday: Sterling Methodist Church

Sterling Methodist Church

The Workman family has been part of the Sterling Methodist Church congregation for much of the congregation's history.

The earliest records of the church date back to 1878 and include mention of travelling ministers.  In 1884, the Congregation of  the German Methodist Episcopal Church of Sterling Township of Dakota Territory was officially established and met in homes of the members.

It wasn't until 1895 that the congregation had a church building.  George L. Workman leased the three acres of land the church was built on in Sterling Township, Brookings County, South Dakota from Daniel Koester for $30.00.

The first wedding held in the church building was that of Anna Workman and Merle Taylor in June of 1946.

In 1984 the congregation had 29 members, many of them related to the Workman family.

Interior of the Sterling Methodist Church

Those Places Thursday: Railroad Bridge, North Redwood, Minnesota

In Grandma Leola's box of treasures, is a stack of postcards. Most of them were written on and sent to Leola or her parents by family and friends. There are a handful though that have no writing on them at all.



I remember picking up postcards on my adventures for souvenirs. In fact I have a shoebox full of postcards from places like Rapid City, Washington D.C., various places in Spain, and any zoo or tourist attraction that I visited as a child. None of mine have any writing either.


So curiosity strikes this genealogist again. What significance did the places on these postcards have for Grandma Leola?

This week's postcard place is the Railroad Bridge in North Redwood, Minnesota:

This is the second railroad bridge picture in Grandma Leola's collection; she also had one of the Marent Trestle in Missoula, Montana.  What significance would the Railroad Bridge in North Redwood, Minnesota have in Leola's life?

Those Places Thursday - Postcards: Redwood County Home

In Grandma Leola's box of treasures, is a stack of postcards.  Most of them were written on and sent to Leola or her parents by family and friends.  There are a handful though that have no writing on them at all.


I remember picking up postcards on my adventures for souvenirs.  In fact I have a shoebox full of postcards from places like Rapid City, Washington D.C., various places in Spain, and any zoo or tourist attraction that I visited as a child.  None of mine have any  writing either.


So curiosity strikes this genealogist again. What significance did the places on these postcards have for Grandma Leola?

The fifth postcard place is Redwood County Home in Redwood Falls, Minnesota:

A little research from the ever-so-handy Wikipedia, tells me this building was only called the Redwood County Home from 1940-1967.  Prior to this it was the poorhouse and the Home for the aged.  After 1967 it was called the Redwood County Nursing Home.

Leola was born in 1909, so she would have been between 30 and 50 years old at the time.  What significance might the Redwood County Home have had for Leola?

Amanuensis Monday: Lowell Workman Honored on 80th Birthday

The following news clipping was retrieved from Grandma Leola's files and was likely printed in the Brookings Register or the Sterling township news in 1961.

Lowell Workman Honored on 80th Birthday

Eureka - Lowell Workman marked his 80th birthday Feb. 24 and was honored at a party at his farm home 10 miles north of Brookings.

The evening was spent visiting and a short program presented events from his lifetime.

Present were his four children: Mr and Mrs. Merle Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. George Workman, Mr. and Mrs. Keith Reed, all of Brookings; and Rev. and Mrs. David Workman and family of Sioux City, Iowa; a brother Jesse Workman; and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gossau, Mr. and Mrs. Ed clifford and Mr. and Mrs. Keith Clifford and family.

One of the first persons born in Brookings County, Workman still resides on the same farm, only a few rods from the sod house in which he was born.

Those Places Thursday - Postcards: Stock Exchange, Chicago, Illinois

In Grandma Leola's box of treasures, is a stack of postcards. Most of them were written on and sent to Leola or her parents by family and friends. There are a handful though that have no writing on them at all.



I remember picking up postcards on my adventures for souvenirs. In fact I have a shoebox full of postcards from places like Rapid City, Washington D.C., various places in Spain, and any zoo or tourist attraction that I visited as a child. None of mine have any writing either.


So curiosity strikes this genealogist again. What significance did the places on these postcards have for Grandma Leola?

This week's postcard place is the Stock Exchange in Chicago, Illinois:

I know that Grandma Leola's sister Ada lived in Chicago at one point.  But I'm not sure if Leola ever visited her in Chicago.

What significance might the Chicago Stock Exchange have in Leola's life?

Those Places Thursday - Postcards: Sanborn, Iowa

In Grandma Leola's box of treasures, is a stack of postcards. Most of them were written on and sent to Leola or her parents by family and friends. There are a handful though that have no writing on them at all.

I remember picking up postcards on my adventures for souvenirs. In fact I have a shoebox full of postcards from places like Rapid City, Washington D.C., various places in Spain, and any zoo or tourist attraction that I visited as a child. None of mine have any writing either.

So curiosity strikes this genealogist again. What significance did the places on these postcards have for Grandma Leola?

This week's postcard place is Sanborn, Iowa:

The postcard caption reads: "Main St. Sanborn, IA".

What was the significance of Sanborn, Iowa to Grandma Leola?

Those Places Thursday - Postcards: Marent Trestle in Missoula, Montana

In Grandma Leola's box of treasures, is a stack of postcards. Most of them were written on and sent to Leola or her parents by family and friends. There are a handful though that have no writing on them at all.
I remember picking up postcards on my adventures for souvenirs.

In fact I have a shoebox full of postcards from places like Rapid City, Washington D.C., various places in Spain, and any zoo or tourist attraction that I visited as a child. None of mine have any writing either.


So curiosity strikes this genealogist again. What significance did the places on these postcards have for Grandma Leola?

This week's postcard place is the Marent Trestle in Missoula, Montana:

The text reads: "Marent Trestle, N.P. Ry., Missoula, Mont., 226 Feet High".

Why might the Marent Trestle in Missoula, Montana have been important to Grandma Leola?

(Not So) Wordless Wednesday: Dennis Morgan

The past two Thursdays, I have shared postcards from Grandma Leola's box of treasures.  Today, I have another postcard, but this one is a picture of Dennis Morgan.

My initial thought, which shows my youth, was who is Dennis Morgan?  So I googled him.  Wikipedia says Dennis Morgan was an actor-singer born in 1908.  His peak acting-singing years were in the 1940s and performed in shows such as God is my Co-Pilot, The Desert Song, Kitty Foyle and Christmas in Connecticut.

Why did Grandma Leola still have this picture postcard of Dennis Morgan?  Is this from an meet-and-greet or autograph session? Was it common for autographed pictures to be on postcards in the 1940s? 

Sunday's Obituary: May Shrode Reep

The Obituary of Mrs. May (Shrode) Reep from Leola (Workman) Crapser's files:

Mrs. May Reep Dies McIntire Resident

May Shrode, daughter of Conrad and Barbara Workman Shrode, was born May 1, 1873, on a farm near McIntire, Iowa.  She was one of eight children, three of whom are still living: Eugene and Charles Shrode of Riceville, and Mrs. Sadie Eliason of Zion, Illinois.

May joined the McIntire Methodist church on September 22, 1889, and was married there on November 17, 1901, to William Reep.  to this union were born four children: Mary Reep of Mason City, Iowa; Rev. Louie Reep of St. Joseph, Missouri; Mildred Reep, who died at the age of two and Rev. Ora Reep of Silver City, Iowa.

Mrs. Reep is well-known to this community, having lived here all her life except for the past three winters when she has made her home with her daughter Mary who teaches in Mason City.  She had just recently transferred her membership to the Wesley Methodist church in Mason City, where the Rev. Peterson showed her much kindness.

May died at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 18, 1956, in Park hospital, Mason City, after one day's illness.  She lacked just 12 days of being eighty-three years old.  Left to mourn her passing are two brothers and one sister; her three living children; two grandchildren, Norma Lou and John Reep; nephews and nieces and many friends.

The funeral service for Mrs. Reep was held in the McIntire Methodist church at 2 p.m., April 21.  Conducting the service were the Rev. Misses Luella G Kroether and T. Janet Surdam, co-pastors of the Riceville-McIntire charge.  Mrs. Viva Newhouse and Mrs. Alden Harshbarger sang "Lead Kindly Light" and "Abide With Me," accompanied by Mrs. Riley Sloan.

Interment was in Riverside cemetery, Riceville, the casket being carried by Gayloard Aspel of Ostrander, Minnesota, Harold and Kenneth Aspel of McIntire, Wilbur Danforth of Osage, Peter Johnson of Little Cedar, and James Ellis of LeRoy, Minnesota.

After the services, the McIntire Methodist Woman's Society of Christian Service served lunch to relatives and friends.

Those Places Thursday - Postcards: Susanville, California

In Grandma Leola's box of treasures, is a stack of postcards. Most of them were written on and sent to Leola or her parents by family and friends. There are a handful though that have no writing on them at all.

I remember picking up postcards on my adventures for souvenirs. In fact I have a shoebox full of postcards from places like Rapid City, Washington D.C., various places in Spain, and any zoo or tourist attraction that I visited as a child. None of mine have any writing either.

So curiosity strikes this genealogist again. What significance did the places on these postcards have for Grandma Leola?

The first postcard place is Susanville, California:

The wording at the bottom of the picture says:

"Looking east on  Main St." Susanville, Calif.  J.H. Eastman #B-359-B

Grandma Leola and her family lived in the Bell Gardens, California area during the 1940s.  Bell Gardens is about 570 miles from Susanville, roughly a 10 hour drive.

What significance might Susanville, California have in Leola's life?

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: Bell Gardens School

Below is a photo of children in front of the Bell Gardens School  The children of Oral and Leola Crapser attended Bell Gardens School in California between 1942 and 1948.

This photo is from Grandma Leola's collection.

Mystery Monday: Blanche Workman in Greeley, Colorado

In Grandma Leola's collection of treasures, are a couple of pieces that beg for a few more answers.  

The first piece is an envelope addressed to Mr. Jesse Workman in Brookings, South Dakota and has a postmark dated Oct 7, 1939 from Greeley, Colorado.

Flip the envelope over and we see an address for Mrs. Jesse Workman (aka Blanche).  The address is 303 11th Ave,  Greeley, Colorado.

Intrigue sets in here. Jesse and Blanche were married in her hometown in Iowa and raised their family, including their daughter Leola, in Brookings County, South Dakota.  I don't know much about Blanche's family, but I'm pretty sure they all stuck fairly close to home in Iowa.  Therefore Blanche likely doesn't have relatives in Colorado. Jesse had relatives in Minnesota and Wisconsin - none that I knew of in Colorado.

After a little more digging through grandma's treasures I found a calendar, one of those complimentary calendars from businesses.  This calendar is from "Workman Pine Tree Service Station" on the corner of 11th Ave and 5th St, Greeley, Colorado.  The calendar attached displays the November 1941 page.  A note hand-written on the back of the calendar reads: "Dear, Kids will drop you a line or two.  Mrs. Scoop".

Okay, so we now have Workmans in Colorado.  Now the sleuthing begins: Who?  Why was Blanche staying there?  How long was Blanche there?

To find the answers, I started with Ancestry.com.   The 1940 U.S. Federal Census would be the best place to find the answers, but that isn't available yet.   Unfortunately, Ancestry.com was providing too many possibilies for directories in Boulder, Denver and other larger cities not much for Greeley.   So I wandered over to the Weld County, Colorado Rootsweb site.

Guess what I found!!  .. That's right - several directories, including the1940 directory, transcribed and indexed!!

Among the entries were "Workman Auto Works, Leslie Workman prop 1103 5 st Greeley"   and "Workman Leslie (Mathilda) Prop Workman Auto Works r 1103 5 St Greeley" both in the 1940 Greeley City and Rural Route directory. (http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cowcgs/contents-dir.html)

So it appears the Blanche was likely visiting her oldest child Leslie in 1939.   I know that Leslie and Mathilda had 4 children, though I don't have their birthdates. However, Leslie would have been about 35 at the time. 

Is it possible that Blanche went to help care for a new grandbaby?  I guess it's time to find some decendants of Leslie Workman and Mathilda Krosska.

Wordless Wednesday: Chilly Chat Outside

Another photo from Grandma Leola's collection:

Does anyone recognize this building? 

Sunday's Obituary: Blanche Workman

The obituary of Blanche Workman From Leola (Workman) Crapser's files:

Mrs. J Workman Died Monday After Few Days Illness

Mrs. Jesse Workman passed away Monday at the Municipal hospital where she was taken Saturday.  Cause of death was dropsy and heart trouble.

Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at the home at 2:00 o'clock, and at the Rude funeral chapel at 2:30 in charge of Capt. B. A. MacNichol of the Salvation Army.  Burial will be at Greenwood.

Blanche D. Heard was born to Frederick and Annette Heard May 2, 1885 in Shiloh township, Grundy county, Iowa, the third child in a family of six.  She was called to her heavenly rest in Brookings July 16, 1945, after a short illness, aged 60 years, two months and 14 days.

She was educated in the Grundy, Hardin and O'Brien county schools of Iowa.  She taught in the Osceola county, Iowa, rural schools one year and also a year in the Brookings county schools.

She was united in marriage to Jesse Workman Dec. 15, 1903, at Grundy Center, Iowa, and they came to Brookings county and settled on the Workman farm, 10 miles north of Brookings where they made their home until 1925, when they moved to Brookings.

To this union were born six children, two dying in infancy.  Surviving are Leslie; Leola Crapser, Bell Gardens, Calif.; Ada Gillman of Brookings, and Sara Loganella of Philadelphia.

Besides her husband and four children, she leaves to mourn her loss, seven grandchildren; two sisters, Ethel of Melvin, Iowa, and Lelah of Grundy Center; and one brother, Dale of Lake Wilson, Minn.

Her father, mother and two sisters preceded her in death.  She also leaves a number of nieces and nephews and a host of friends.  She was a wonderful wife and mother, a good neighbor and friend, in the best meaning of the term, "a good woman."

Mrs. Workman was made a soldier of the Brookings Salvation Army corps Aug. 21, 1927, and held the following local officers positions until her death: home league treasurer; recruiting sergeant since Jan. 15, 1940; cradle roll sergeant, since Jan. 1, 1940, and company guard since May, 1941.

Wordless Wednesday: Girl and Her Teddy Bear

Below is a pair of photos of a little girl and her teddy bear from Grandma Leola (Workman) Crapser's collection:



Sunday's Obituary: Emma Rittman

Below is the Obituary for Emma Rittman From Leola (Workman) Crapser's files.  Handwriting on the side of this article indicates Dec 12, 1918, likely the day the article was published.


Mrs. John Rittman Died Last Night

Mrs. John Rittman died at her home in this city Wednesday night of influenza, at the age of fifty-six years.  Funeral services will be held at the home Saturday afternoon at 1:00 o'clock, conducted by Rev. I. M. Hargett, and also at the Sterling church, and the body will be laid to rest in the Sterling cemetery beside her husband.

Mrs. Emma Rittman was born in Indiana April 1, 1862, and died at her home in Brookings, 706-6th street, after a short illness.  She came to South Dakota in 1880 and was married to John F. Rittman of Sterling township, where they lived until his death in 1908.  Mrs. Rittman remaining on the farm until last fall, when she purchased city property, upon which she spent about $4,000 in improvements and fitting it with modern comforts, preparatory to enjoying a rest after many years hard work on the farm.

She gave her heart to God early in life and united with the German Methodist church of Northfield, Minn.  She was a devoted christian woman and recogized as a staunch church woman in her community and was a member of the Woman's Missionary society of her church and was always ready and willing to do her part in any christian service.

Mrs. Rittman was the mother of ten children, two boys and eight girls, six of whom are still living.  Those living are, Nora, now Mrs. Joseph Conn of Eureka township.  Ella, Mrs. Wm. Cochran of Lansing, Minn.  Minnie, Mrs. Frank Billet of Sterling township.  Fred, who is in the Expeditionary Forces in France, and Lydia and Emma who are at home.

She leaves her son, five daughters, three brothers and four sisters and many other relatives and friends to mourn her sudden death.

Wordless Wednesday: Child and Dogs

Here's another photo from Grandma Leola (Workman) Crapser's collection:

Wordless Wednesday: The Small Cowboy

Here's another photo from Grandma Leola's collection:



I have no information about this photo. Who might this boy be? Where do you think this may have been taken? What do you suppose this youngster is up to?

Sunday's Obituary: Barbara Shrode

The following obituary was acquired from Vernice Danforth's book titled Conrad Shrode's Civil War Diary And Genealogy, printed in May 1976:

Mrs. Barbara Shrode

Barbara Workman was born at New York state February 25, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. James Aspel, near McIntire, Iowa, April 12, 1926 at 8:30 a.m.

When a girl she moved with her parents to Broadhead, Wisconsin, where she grew to womanhood, and joined the Evangelical church of which she remained a life member.

She formed the acquaintance of Mr. Conrad Shrode and when he was home on a furlough, after being honorably discharged at the expiration of his term of enlistment in the Civil war, she was united in marriage to him, March 9, 1864.

He soon after re-enlisted and served his country until the close of the war, and was honorably discharged December 16, 1865.  to this union were born eight children, one died in infancy and one daughter, Libbie Cole, died about eight years ago.

Her husband, after years of public and private service to his country here below, left at the call to the better country on July 10, 1913.

They spent most of their lives together on a farm in Jenkins township, Mitchell county, Iowa.  In 1910 they moved to Riceville, Iowa.  After Mr. Shrode's death, Mrs. Shrode resided in their Riceville home until failing health made it advisable for her to be no longer alone.  Then she went to live with her daughters,  Mrs. may Reep, of McIntire, for two years, thence among other children, spending the last part of her life with her daughter, Mrs. Ella Aspel, where she quietly went to sleep on April 12, 1926.  She leaves three daughters, Mrs. Sadie Eliason, of Zion City, Illinois; Mrs. Ella Aspel and Mrs. May Reep of McIntire; and three sons, William, of McIntire; and Eugene and Charles of Riceville, Iowa.  Also one sister survives of the family of seven children, Mrs. Sarah Eastman of McIntire.  Besides these she leaves twenty-six grandchildren and twenty great grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist Church at Riceville on Wednesday, at 2:00 p.m., cunducted by the Rev. Felterand Rev. Mr Pease of Limes Springs, a former pastor.  Interment was made in the beautiful Riverside cemetery, at Riceville, Iowa.