Obituary of Heinrich Fasse 1907

This obituary was written in German and translated in November 1998

Heinrich Fasse was born and baptized on November 5, 1838 in Apelern (Hessia). His youth was troubled by the early death of his father and his mother, who died on the same day by a cholera epidemic when Heinrich was 11 years old. His uncle Christ Meneling took him over, sent him to a Christian elementary school and let him receive confirmation on April 3, 1853.

Having reached manhood, on June 30, 1863, he married Caroline Wente and found in her a faithful and living wife. Eight years later, in 1871, he took off to America knowing that there, he would have better chances for a prosperous life. His destination was Maxfield, Bremer County, Iowa where he arrived with his family after a long and dreadful journey.

Due to his thriftiness/parsimony/austerity(I guess today we'd call it a sense of doing business) and hard work he had managed to accumulate some wealth to afford a prosperous life which under the name Fasse farm we are all well aware of.

In 1900 he handed over his farm to his youngest son and retired in Denver. He enjoyed 6 healthy years but was constantly worried about his wife's health during that time. When she had finally become better, he fell ill and soon fell victim to a serious jaundice. Plagued by fears 1906 went by. As he had done all his life, even during those years he went to church service as his walk to the house of the Lord wasn't a burden to him. When his health wouldn't improve and his wife became unable to care for him by herself he moved to his son Wilhelm where his children with great love cared for him. He never suffered from great pain and often he only silently rested on his bed happy with his beloved family close around him. Where he had lived and worked all his life, there it had been God's will, he should pass away. Not by great pain but peacefully he died on the morning of March 5, at 5:40 in the morning at the age of 68 years and 4 months. He left behind in great sorrow his wife, 2 sons, 1 daughter and his many friends and relatives. He followed a son and a married daughter who passed away earlier. For many years he was a member of the St. Johannis community in Maxfield which he served for as a governor for many years. During his years in Denver was a member of the St. Petri community and there, as it had been his own wish, Pastor Schoenbohm laid him to rest in the churchyard.

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