Obituary for Mrs. Karoline Augusta Maria (Diez) Locher (1828-1904)

Originally printed in German in Der Friedensbote a publication from the Eden Publishing House in St. Louis, Mo.

Translator unknown

Pastor’s Widow K.A.M. Locher

On April 11 of this year, the pilgrimage of the widowed Mrs. Karoline Augusta Maria LOCHER, born DIEZ, came to an end in the presbytery of the St. Paul Parish in Old Monroe, Mo., and her redeemed spirit, we are confident, has entered the gates of heaven.  The deceased was born February 15, 1828, in Heilbronn, Wurttemberg.   She was the second of nine children.  She was still a child when her father, a religious manufacturer, moved to Oberfellach in Karnthen, Austria.  Missionary C.W. LOCHER of Basel met her here in her parents’ house before his departure to West Africa.  Roughly two years later, namely on January 27, 1853, the couple was married on the Gold Coast, in Christiansborg, in the presence of all the missionaries of Basel (there was a General Conference taking place at this time). In the following years she bore her husband nine children, four sons and five daughters, of whom only four are still living, namely Pastor C.W. LOCHER in New Albany, Ind.; Mrs. Pastor M. HAAS in Old Monroe, Mo.; Mrs. Pastor M. HILDEBRANDT in Carpentersville, Ill.; and Miss Elise LOCHER in St. Louis, Mo.  In addition to two sons-in-law and a daughter-in-law, she also leaves behind 19 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

After 15 years in Africa, she followed her husband to Germany where she arrived completely broken down.  After a two-year stay, the family moved to the United States. Here Pastor LOCHER served four parishes in Indiana and Ohio.  In February of 1888, in Elyria, Ohio, he went home to God.  His widow lived until 1890 with their son, who took over his father’s position. She then went to live  with her son-in-law, Pastor L. HAAS. (the editor of the Theological Magazine").  The climate of Africa left an unpleasant memory with the deceased in the form of a liver ailment.  On August 4 of last year, the day on which she collapsed in her yard, her disease took a turn for the worse. The last two months were especially agonizing.   Day and night she yearned for relief.  After a long battle, God took her home on the evening of April 11.

The funeral took place on April 14, in Old Monroe.  The publisher of the Friedensboten conducted the funeral in both the presbytery and the church. The parishioners of course took part in the funeral.  The body was then taken by Pastor C.W. LOCHER to Elyria, where on Sunday afternoon, April 17, a memorial service was held.  The burial took place in the city cemetery of Elyria.  Pastors LEHMANN (local pastor), BRETZ from Lorrain, and LINDENMEYER from North Amherst spoke at the grave.  The Women’s Club of Elyria presented flowers. Now the body of this pilgrim rests next to that of her husband, and awaits the day of resurrection and everlasting life through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Submitted to HERITAGE PAGES of LINCOLN COUNTY, MISSOURI by Ruth Anne (Goos) Halligan, 15 May 2001.  Link change or file update: 19 Aug 2001

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