The end of another pioneer’s life came Thursday night with the passing away of Mrs. Katherine Deets.

Katherine Wilson was born April 23, 1848 at Arbana, Ohio, and died November 15, 1928 at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J.M. Brewster of Herman. She was 80 years, 6 months, and 25 days old at the time of her death.

She was united in marriage to Sylvester Deets at Mt. Morris, Illinois, November 28, 1867. To this union six children were born, three sons and three daughters. In early life they moved from Illinois to Tama, Co, Iowa, making their home there for some time, later moving to Nodaway Co, Mo., where the family resided for a long time. In later years Mrs. Deets and her husband came to make their home with their daughter, Mrs. J.M. Brewster, here.

He departed from this life April 21,1923 and she still remained at the Brewster home until the time of her death. She had been poorly ever since her husband’s death but was able to be about until about six weeks ago when she became worse and had been confined to her bed since that time. Everything that loving hands could do was done for her but the all-wise Father saw fit to call her home. Until recently when her mind became impaired she welcomed and enjoyed the visits of her many friends and she will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her.

The funeral services were held at the home Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock, Rev. C.C. Norlin officiating. Music was furnished by Miss Bertha Soker, Mrs. George Lowe, Fred Robertson and son, Cornell with Mrs. E.J. Hansen at the piano. Interment was made in the Herman cemetery.

She leaves to mourn her loss three sons and two daughters, one daughter, Mrs. Mary A. Parkinson, being deceased. The others are Mrs. James Roe of Springfield, Mo.; Wm. Deets of Takoma, Wash.; Samuel Deets, address unknown; Mrs. J.M. Brewster of Herman and Ross Deets of Blair. Those out of town attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Ross Deets and daughters of Blair; Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Webster and daughter of West Point; Mr. and Mrs. W. Jaspersen and Mrs. A.H. Earhart of Omaha. Owing to the death of a niece and the funeral held at the same hour at Anita, Ia., a number of relatives were unable to attend.

#2-Published in the Enterprise November 22, 1928

Mrs. Katheryn Deets died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. M. Brewster Thursday evening, Nov. 15. She was born at Arbana, Ohio, April 23, 1848. Mrs. Deets had been in failing health for the past few years. She has been failing rapidly the past few months. Mr. and Mrs. Deets came here from Maryville, Mo. a number of years ago to make their home with their daughter, later they went to the old soldiers home at Burkett, Nebr. From there they went to live with a son in Colorado where Mr. Deets passed away. After his death, Mrs. Deets returned here to spend her declining days. Close surviving relatives are two daughters, Mrs. J. M. Brewster of Herman and Mrs. James Roe of Springfield, Mo.; three sons, Wm. of Tacoma, Wash.; Sam whose present address is unknown; and Ross of Blair. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at two-thirty at the home, conducted by Rev. Norlin. Burial was made in the local cemetery.

#3-Tribune 29 Nov 1928

Mrs. Katherine Deets died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. M. Brewster, at Herman on Thursday, November 15, following a lingering illness. Funeral services were conducted from the Brewster home on November 18, with the Rev. C. C. Norlin in charge. The deceased was born April 23, 1848 at Arbana, Ohio. She was married in 1867 and with her husband moved to Illinois and later to Iowa. The husband died in 1923. She leaves to mourn her loss, three sons, Ross of Blair, Samuel and William of Tacoma, Washington; two daughters, Mr. J. M. Brewster of Herman, and Mrs. James Roe of Springfield, Mo. A number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren also survive.

Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file at the Blair Public Library.