Reinsch, Helen Henrietta

Notes:

Birth:
According to one of her obituaries, Helen was born at her parents' home near Martland.

Buried:
Helen was buried in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery.

Died:

     The following is a transcription provided by Jane Michel of an obituary for Helen Biegert which appeared in The Nebraska Signal, of Geneva, Nebraska, in April 2003.

          Helen Biegert

     Helen Henrietta Biegert was born to Emil Reinsch and Agnes Steffgen Reinsch on Nov. 7, 1917, in her home near Martland and passed away on April 12, 2003 at her home in Geneva at the age of 85. She was one of three children in the family.
     Helen grew up and went to a rural school then St. Joseph's Catholic School until eighth grade. She was able to attend Geneva High School by living and helping her uncle and aunt with their five children and graduated in 1935. Upon graduation, she moved to Denver, Colo., and worked with plans to enter the School of Nursing; however, after the death of her aunt, Maria Reinsch, she returned to Geneva to help her Uncle Henry with his children.
     On Nov. 26, 1940, she married Willis. W. Biegert with who she had ten children. The couple resided in Shickley and later moved to Geneva, where she raised their children. She was involved in St. Joseph's Altar Society and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She and her husband purchased the Southside Tavern in 1960 and ran it for several years. After selling their business, she worked at Marguerite's, which later became Kay Maria's Dress Shop.
     Upon retiring, Helen enjoyed bingo and cards with her friends and time with her family. She enjoyed her church and making U.G.L.Y. quilts for the homeless. She volunteered to help when help was needed and especially enjoyed the coffee group after mass each morning.
     She always made herself available for her family and friends. Her children will always remember their mother’s great love for them; shown endless times, when she was there for them in so many ways.
     Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, "Smokey"; a son, Douglas Wilson; and a daughter Colleen Francis; and her two brothers, Joe and Ernest Reinsch.
     She is survived by her sons: Thomas Emil and wife, Toodie of Geneva; Steven James and wife, Janet of Lincoln; William Paul and wife, Kathleen Grossman of Lincoln; five daughters, Sister Susan Therese Biegert of South Dakota; Nancy Carol (Mrs. Steve Seward) of Geneva; Sally Ann (Mrs. Tony Armatys) of Central City; Joann Louise (Mrs. Steve Keist) of Arizona; and Jeanette Eileen (Mrs. Don Ham) of Lincoln; sixteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
     Rosary was recited Monday, April 14 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Geneva.
     Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, April 15, from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Geneva with Msgr. Ivan Vap officiating.
     Mary Ann Najmon accompanied son leaders Ron and Nancy Fleecs and the congregation who sang Holy God, We Praise Thy Name, Be Not Afraid, You Are Near, Jesus, Jesus and On Eagles Wings.
     Casket bearers were Douglas Biegert, David Biegert, Martin Seward, Joe Armatys, Eric Keist and Adam Keist.
     Honorary bearers were Kelly (Seward) Jarzynka, Chrissy Biegert, Betsy Armatys, Nicole Biegert, Amanda Ham, Mitchell Ham, Julianne Ham, Greyson Biegert, Meghan Biegert and Rachael Biegert.
     Graveside services were held at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.

Helen married Biegert, Willis Wilford 26 Nov 1940. Willis (son of Biegert, Wilson Henry and Richardson, Lydia Mae) was born 6 Nov 1917, Stanton Township, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA; died 28 Jan 1984, Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA; was buried , Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
They were the parents of ten children. Our current information does allow us to determine the birth order for all of the children.

1. Biegert, Douglas Wilson was born 13 Sep 1943, Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA; died 21 Sep 1946, Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA; was buried , Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA.
2. Biegert, Colleen Francis was born 1956; died 1956; was buried , Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA.
3. Biegert, Jeanette Eileen
4. Biegert, Joann Louise
5. Biegert, Nancy Carol
6. Biegert, Sally Ann
7. Biegert, Steven James
8. Biegert, Susan Therese
9. Biegert, Thomas Emil
10. Biegert, William Paul

Notes:

Buried:
According to an obituary for Emil, funeral services were held at St. Joseph Church. Burial was in the Geneva Cemetery.

Died:
The following is a transcription supplied by Jane Michel of an obituary for Emil Reinsch. Jane reported that the article had appeared on 23 April 1964 in The Nebraska Signal, of Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska.

          Emil Reinsch Fillmore Native Called by Death

     Emil Reinsch passed away at his home in Geneva, Neb., April 18, 1964 at the age of 81 years, 1 month and 4 days. He had been in ill health for some time and recently had spent several weeks in a hospital.
     Emil, oldest son of Joseph and Emma Reinsch, was born March 14, 1883, in Momence township, near Shickley, Neb. He grew up in that vicinity.
     January 18, 1910, he was married to Agnes Steffgen, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Steffgen of Shickley, at St. Mary's Catholic church near Shickley, Father Charles A. Becker officiating. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Reinsch moved to a farm near Grafton. In 1918 they moved to a farm in Stanton township. Mr. Reinsch made his home and farmed there until 1948, when he retired and moved to Geneva, where he lived until his death.
     To this union were born two sons, Ernest and Joseph and one daughter, Helen. His son Ernest preceded him in death in 1939. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Frank and Charlie and two sisters, Anna Yaeger and Mollie Grote.
     Mr. Reinsch is survived by one son, Joe of Geneva, one daughter Mrs. Helen Biegert of Geneva, 15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, five brothers, John, William, Henry and Ernest of Geneva and Herman of Denver, Col., two sisters, Emma Volkmer of Geneva and Carolyn Reinsch of Denver, and many other relatives and friends.
     Funeral services were conducted from St. Joseph church in Geneva at 10 a.m. Monday, April 20, Rev. Paul Ulenberg officiating. Pallbearers were six grandsons, Thomas Biegert, John, Robert, Howard, Richard and Dean Reinsch. Two grandsons, Jimmy Reinsch and Steven Biegert served the funeral Mass. Interment was in the Geneva cemetery.

Emil married Steffgen, Agnes Marie 18 Jan 1910, Momence Township, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA. Agnes (daughter of Steffgen, Michael P. and Blum, Maria K.) was born 19 Jun 1891, Hamilton Township, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA; died Abt 1982. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Census: 1900, Hamilton County, Nebraska, USA

Notes:

Census:
According to the 1900 enumeration of Farmers Valley Precinct, Agnes Steffgen, age 9 (born June 1890 in Nebraska), lived with her parents Michel and Mary Steffgen, and with her sister, Elizabeth Steffgen (age 17), and her brother, Henry Steffgen (age 6).

Notes:

Married:
Emil and Agnes were married by Rev. Charles A. Becker at St. Mary's Church, north of Schickley. According to the marriage certificate, the witnesses were John Reinsch and Hannah Steffgen.

Marriage License:
Emil and Agnes were residences of Grafton, Nebraska at the time.

Notes:

Buried:
He was buried in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery (also known as Turkey Creek Catholic Cemetery).

Joseph married Kamler, Emma. Emma was born 28 Jan 1860, Germany; died 3 Dec 1945, Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA; was buried , Momence Township, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Buried:
She was buried in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery (also known as Turkey Creek Catholic Cemetery).

Notes:

Married:
Details of the marriage are not known at this time.

Other Events:

• Immigration: 1869, USA
• Moved To: 1881, Nebraska, USA

Notes:

Birth:
According to the 1880 U.S. census, Michael's birthplace was Luxembourg. In subsequent enumerations, the place of birth is reported as Germany.

Moved To:
He and his wife lived in Hamilton and Fillmore counties.

Buried:
Michael was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in a joint plot with his wife.

Michael married Blum, Maria K. 2 Jan 1880, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA. Maria was born 24 Oct 1858, Mineral Point, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA; died 25 Dec 1944, Nebraska, USA; was buried 28 Dec 1944, Grafton, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Moved To: 1881, Nebraska, USA

Notes:

Moved To:
He and his wife lived in Hamilton and Fillmore counties.

Buried:
According to her obituary, a requiem high mass was celebrated at St. Helena's Catholic Church. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery in a joint plot with her husband.

Died:
The following is a transcription of an obituary for Mrs. Marie Steffgen published in The Nebraska Signal, of Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, in January 1945. The transcription and citation were provided by Jane Michel.

     Sorrow cast its shadow over this community with the death of Mrs. Marie Steffgen, who passed away December 25, 1944, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. A. J. Budler.
     Marie Bloom was born in Mineral Point, Wis., October 24, 1858. January 22, 1880, she was married to Michael Steffgen. To this union five children were born, one dying in infancy. The family came to Nebraska in 1881 and lived in Hamilton and Fillmore counties. Mr. Steffgen passed away in 1931. Mrs. Steffgen had been ill three months, being cared for at her own home and later at the country home of her daughter.
     Left to mourn her departure are three daughters, Mrs. Katie Budler, Mrs. Hannah Berkbigler and Mrs. Agnes Reinsch, one son, Henry, eighteen grandchildren and twenty-two great grandchildren.
     Funeral services were held at St. Helena's Catholic church December 28, Rev. A. J. Lutz celebrating a requiem high mass. Burial was in Holy Cross cemetery. Six grandsons served as pallbearers.

Notes:

Married:
According to an obituary for Mrs. Marie Steffgen, the couple had 5 children, one of whom died in infancy.

Census (family):
According to the 1880 enumeration, the household consisted of Michael Stiffgen [sic], age 25, head of household, married, a laborer, born in Luxembergh [sic] and whose parents were also born in Luxembergh [sic]; and, Mary Stiffgen [sic], age 21, wife, married, keeping house, born in Wisconsin and whose parents were born in Prussia.
     Living in the same dwelling and enumerated as a separate household was Kate Bluum [sic], a 53 year old widow, born in Prussia.

Census (family):
According to the 1900 enumeration of Farmers Valley Precinct, the household consisted of Michel Steffgen, head of household, age 43 (born July 1856 in Germany), immigrated to USA in 1869 (in the USA for 31 years and a naturalized citizen), married, a farmer; Mary Steffgen, wife, age 41 (born October 1858 in Wisconsin), married (mother of 5 children; 4 still living); Elizabeth Steffgen, daughter, age 17 (born November 1882 in Nebraska), attending school; Agnes Steffgen, daughter, age 9 (born June 1890 in Nebraska), attending school; Henry Steffgen, son, age 6 (born October 1893 in Nebraska).

Census (family):
According to the 1910 enumeration of Momence Township, the household consisted of Nick Steffgen, head of household, age 53, born in Germany, a naturalized citizen, a farmer; Mary Steffgen, wife, age 57, born in Wisconsin, married for 30 years (mother of 5 children: 4 still living); Elizabeth Steffgen, daughter, age 27, born in Nebraska, single; Henry Steffgen, son, age 16, born in Nebraska, single; Henry Berkbigler, hired man, age 28, born in Missouri, single.

Census (family):
According to the 1920 enumeration, the household consisted of Mike Steffgen, age 63, head of household, married, his occupation is listed as 'none,' he and his parents were born in Germany, he immigrated to the U.S. in 1869 and was a naturalized citizen; and, Mary K. Steffgen, age 61, wife, married, her occupation is listed as 'none,' her parents were born in Germany, she was born in Wisconsin.

Census (family):
According to the 1930 enumeration of Geneva (Ward 3), the household consisted of Mike Steffgen, head of household, age 73, born in Germany, immigrated to USA in 1869, a naturalized citizen, married (at age 23); and Marie C. Steffen, wife, age 71, born in Wisconsin, married (at age 21).