Emil Gottsch, 96, Died At Home Nov. 30

Emil Gottsch, long time farmer in the south part of Washington County, died Wednesday, November 30th. He lacked but a few weeks of being 97 years old. Mr. Gottsch had lived on the same farm in Washington County for 76 years.

Emil Johannes Gottsch, son of Fred and Angie Gottsch, was born January 27, 1870, at Probsteierhagen, Schlewig Holstein, Germany. He was baptized early in life and then confirmed in the Lutheran faith on March 29, 1885, in Germany.

He and his twin brother, Julius, came to American together in April 1885, when they were 15 years of age. Emil spent five years near Davenport, Iowa, working on a farm and then came to Nebraska in 1890 and has been living in Washington County since that time.

Mr. Gottsch was united in marriage to Hattie Dornacker March 17, 1897. They began farming for themselves four miles north of Bennington. In 1904 they bought a farm east of the Dornacker school and built a home and farm buildings there. The 1913 tornado struck their place and everything had to be rebuilt. 11 children were born to this union. His wife, Hattie, one son Louie and three daughters, Terese, Frances and Esther preceded him in death.

Emil Gottsch, at the time of his death, was the oldest active communing member of S.t John’s Lutheran Church in Bennington. He passed away at his farm home Wednesday November 30, at the age of 96 years, 10 months and 3 days.

Mr. Gottsch is survived by five daughters and 2 sons; Lillie of Bennington, Helen (Mrs. Henry Frost) of Elkhorn, Henrietta, (Mrs. William Christensen of Blair), Irene (Mrs. Ronald Clarke) and Earlene, (Mrs. Gordon Claridge) of Los Angeles, California, Fred and Herbert of Omaha also 19 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and one sister, Mrs. Therese Witt of Wheatland, Wyoming, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held December 3, 1966, from St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bennington, Norman Schroeder, Pastor. Mrs. Howard Almquist sand “My Faith Looks Up to Thee”, and “Nearer My God to Thee” with Mrs. Henry Kniep, organist.

Pallbearers were Gerald Gottsch, Dennis Gottsch, James Gottsch, Robert Christensen, John Frost and Marvin Heise. Interment was in the German Cemetery. Hadan Mortuary was in charge of the arrangements.