Clara Marie (Spohn) Steffgen
Obituary
Clara Steffgen Former Genevan Dies In Oregon
Clara M. Steffgen, former Fillmore county resident, passed away at the General Hospital in Albany, Ore., July 21, 1966, at the age of 68. She became ill shortly after arising the day before and entered the hospital. Next day she suffered a heart attack that proved fatal. She had been the housekeeper for St. Mary's Catholic church rectory in Albany the past 14 years.
Clara Marie Braden1 [sic] was born at Utica, Neb., May 7, 1898. The family moved to Fillmore county in her youth and she received her education in the schools in this county. She was married to Henry Steffgen at Grafton June 20, 1919 [sic], by Rev. B. Sproll.2 She resided near Grafton and in Geneva until she moved to Albany, Ore., in 1936. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America and had taken part in many church activities since living there.
Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. W. E. Fiegenbaum of Albany; three sons, Michael of Salem, Ore., Paul of Waukegan, Ill., and Lawrence of Erling, Cal.; three sisters, Mrs. H. H. O'Donnell of Omaha, Neb., Mrs. Frank Collicotte of Grand Junction, Col., and Mrs. Larry Ayres of Albany; two half-brothers, John Spohn and Bill Spohn of Antioch, Cal., and 11 grandchildren.
Requiem Mass was celebrated Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's church in Albany, Father Martin W. Doherty officiating. Interment was in Willamette Memorial park.
Mrs. Steffgen's sister Josie, Mrs. Collicotte, had been visiting in Albany on a vacation trip and the two had had a good visit. The son Lawrence came from Erling, Cal., for the service, bringing Susan Fiegenbaum, who had been visiting there.
Notes
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1. "Braden" was the maiden name of Clara Marie's mother, Mary. Clara Marie's maiden name was "Spohn." It would appear that the editor of the newspaper got his facts a little confused at this point.
2. The correct year is most likely 1916. According to a copy of the Fillmore County, Nebraska marriage record, Henry W. Steffgen applied for his marriage license in June 1916, and the certificate of marriage, signed by Rev. B. Sproll, is also dated June 1916. The same year appears in the Report of Marriage completed by Fillmore County Judge W. R. Fulton. However, when Judge Fulton dated the Marriage License, he used the year 1919.
The county marriage record contains many internal contradictions. According to this document, the marriage happened on both the 19th and 20th of June. Also, there are two locations reported - Grafton, Nebraska and Geneva, Nebraska. And Clara's birthplace was recorded as both Geneva and Seward.
Brief Genealogy
Clara Marie Spohn's family
Philip Spohn's 1st marriage
Philip Spohn's 2nd marriage
Henry W. Steffgen's family
Steffgen - Spohn family
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