Obit: Shafer, Theresa (1854 - 1944)

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Surnames: Shafer, Wagner, Krauf, Firnstahl, Kraus, Steinwand, White, Niggeman, Lamont, Huber, Von Neupert, Krepsky, Neck

----Sources: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Clark County, Wis.) 06/22/1944

Shafer, Theresa (30 Aug. 1854 - 19 June 1944)

Mrs. Samuel J. Shafer died at her home in Colby Monday, June 19th, at the age of 89 years, nine months and 19 days, infirmities of old age being the cause of her death. Funeral services were held this Thursday morning, June 22, commencing at 10:30 A.M., at St. Mary’s Catholic church in Colby, Rev. Krauf of Edgar, officiating, and internment was made in the Colby cemetery. Pall bearers were Paul Firnstahl, C. J. Kraus, A. M. Steinwand, Earl White, Conrad Niggeman and Angus Lamont.

Theresa Wagner was the daughter of Jos. Wagner and Theresa Huber. She was born at Beaver Dam, Aug. 30, 1854. She attended the parochial School of St. Peter’s parish until she was twelve years old when she started working in the woolen mill, where, eventually, she became an expert weaver.

On December 23, 1873, she was married to Samuel J. Shafer and to the union one daughter, Callie, was born. In July, 1873, Sam Shafer, with his brother, Joel, came to Colby, then a bare spot in the wilderness, and started the Colby Phonograph in the depot, where they operated until a building was built. She came in November of the same year and through the long years has watched the community develop from the sawmill stage to the fine farming community it is now. She was always devoted to her home and for many years assisted in church work and community affairs. Of her two brothers and two sisters, Mrs. Mary Von Neupert, of Stevens Point is the only one living.

For the past four years she has been an invalid and on June 19th passed away. She is survived by her daughter, Mrs. Hugo Krepsky, three grandchildren, Margaret and George Krepsky and Genevieve Neck, and the one sister.

She was a faithful member of St. Mary’s Catholic church and the Women’s Relief Corps.