Mrs Albert J. Woltzen
A Pioneer Called - Mrs Albert J. Woltzen, aged 67 years, died her home in Benson Saturday night, the 14th inst., at 11 o'clock, after a few days illness of pneumonia. Owing to her advanged age it was hard to give her the right medical aid. The family realized that the case was serious and might prove fatal. Late Saturday afternoon all the children were notified to hasten to her bedside. She gradually failed till eleven o'clock when the end came. Mr and Mrs Woltzen had, six weeks before, moved to Benson, where they intended to live and enjoy life at leisure. Sickness came, interfered and cut short their plans.

Fenna B. Saathoff was born, May, 10th, 1843 in Ostfriesland, Germany. She came to America with her parents in 1857 and settled in Woodford county. In 1862 she was united in marriage to Albert J. Woltzen. In the demise of Mrs Woltzen, Woodford county loses one of its oldest citizens, as she settled within its bounds 53 years ago. They landed at New Orleans, thence up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers to Peoria. Gradually they moved eastward until they reached Roanoke. They lived near here for over half a century.

Mrs Woltzen was survived by her husband and twelve children, seven daughters: Mrs Hallie Altman, Hokey, Kan., Mrs H. Altman, of Olio township, Mrs Geo. Hendricks, of Green township, Mrs Jacob Schroder, Green township, Mrs Jacob Moritz, Clayton township, Mrs John Moritz of Green township, Mrs Wm. Manninga, Mrs Harm Tjaden, Linn township. And five sons, John, Albert, Hye, Alex and Edward, all of this localis. There are also 46 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. The funeral was held from the residence in Benson, Wednesday at 11 a.m. Interment was made at the Lutheran cemetery in Linn township.

Mrs. A. J. Woltzen Dead
Roanoke, Ill., Jan. 15-Mrs. Albert J. Woltzen died last night at 11 o'clock at her home in Benson. Up until a month ago the family resided on a farm three miles northeast of this place, and soon after their removal to Benson, Mrs. Woltzen was taken with pneumonia, which resulted in her death. She was aged 70 years. The family was prominent in this county. Mr. Woltzen being for years supervisor of Roanoke township. The children are: Albert, John, Alexander, Hiram and Edward and Mrs. Morice, all residents of the vicinity of Benson.

Fenna B. Woltzen
The following obituary was published in the 20 Feburary 1911 edition of the Ostfriesische Nachrichten, a newspaper in Breda, Iowa: With a sad and heavy heart we bring the news to our friends and relatives that the Lord over life and death has taken from our side my dear wife and our good mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Fenna B. Woltzen (Saathoff). She was born on March 10, 1843, at Katharinenfeld, near Aurich, in Ostfriesland. She died on January 14, 1911 near Benson, Illinois. She reached the age of 67 years, 8 months and 1 day. She is survived by her husband, 13 children, 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Her burial took place on the 18th with many in attendance at the St. Peter's Cemetery. Pastor T.M. Ficken lead the funeral service. The sorrowing relatives bring this notice. Albert Woltzen, children and grand children.
Benson, Illinois was born in Katharinenfeld bei Aurich, Ostfriesland.

Taken from the: Woodford County, Illinois Genealogy Trails Obituaries and was contributed by Amy Robbins-Tjaden.
Edward L Oltman 1-2-2024