Taken from the Humphrey Democrat of November 11, 1948, page 1, column 1 & 2:

STEVE GERMAN
PIONEER RESIDENT DIED SATURDAY

Came here in 1886; Funeral Service held on Tuesday Morning

Stephen German, prominent and pioneer resident of this community, passed away on Saturday afternoon at his home two miles west of this city. His death occurred on the 60th anniversary of his marriage.

Funeral services were held at 9:30 A.M. at St. Francis church on Tuesday morning with Rev. Claude Rust, Pastor, officiating at the solemn requiem high mass for the repose of the soul of the deceased. He was assisted by Father Samuel Martin as deacon and Rev. Father Cecil Koop as sub-deacon.

The church was crowded to capacity by relatives and friends who had come to offer their prayers with those of the priest for repose of his soul. Members of Ave Maria Council, Knights of Columbus, of this city of which organization the deceased was a charter member, attended the services in a body. Interment was made in the St. Francis parish cemetery.

Active pallbearers were six grandsons, Gene Eckholt, Maynard German, Cyril Boesch, Bob German, Ralph German of Portland, Oregon and Jerome Van Dyke of Denver, Colorado. Honorary pallbearers were James P. Haiar, Jos. Keller, Frank Krings, Conred Frey, Edward Foltz, Jos. Schaecher, George Schure, Ben Preister, Fred Pfeifer and Michael F. Meyer.

The deceased was a son of Basilius and Gertrude (Seager) German born on December 14, 1860, near Princeville, Stark county, Illinois. Here he spent his childhood days, receiving his education in the schools of that community. On December 20, 1886, he left Illinois and came to this community in an emigrant car. He rented some land in Burrows township two miles west and three miles south of this city, where he remained for two years. He then moved onto what was known as the Frank Foley farm place and remained there until 1890 when he purchased the home place two miles west of this city, where he has since resided. By his untiring energy, thrift and frugality he added to his real estate holdings and also invested in property in this city.

On the sixth day of November, 1888, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Marie Bender, also a native of Illinois and a member of a pioneer family of this community. To this union eleven children were born, two of their children having passed away in infancy. Mrs. German preceded her husband in death two years ago.

Surviving are four daughters, Mrs. Nicholas (Ida) Van Dyke of Denver, Colorado, Mrs. Albert (Katie) Boesch, residing near Cornlea, Mrs. Clarence (Rose) Miner of Omaha, and Cecelia at home; five sons, John and Edward of this community, Albert of Ryan, Iowa, Jerome of Masonville, Iowa and Victor of Columbus.

Also surviving is one brother, Max German of Yankton, S.D., and two sisters, Mrs. Margaret Heinz of Princeville, Ill., and Mrs. Christina Fehringer of West Point, Nebr., 34 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren also survive.

Stephen German was one of God's noblemen. He was kindly, generous and charitable. A man of fine Christian character, he was loved and respected by all who knew him. To his friends he was sincere and steadfast, and to his family, he was a kind, devoted loving husband and father. He loved company and to entertain and his home was filled with many a merry gathering of relatives and friends. He has gone on before us but his monument of doing good to others will long remain in the heart of many.

Among those here to attend the funeral from a distance were Mrs. N. J. VanDyke and son, Jerome of Denver, Colo., Mr. and Mrs. Albert German of Ryan, Ia., Jerome German of Masonville, Ia., Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Miner of Omaha, Mr. and Mrs. Victor German and family of Columbus, Mrs. J. Kelly Shaw of Oklahoma City, Felix Heinz of Edwards, Ill., Alex Heinz of Edwards, Ill., Miss Chrissie Heinz and Mrs. Frank German of Princeville, Ill., Mr. and Mrs. Frank Foltz of Greeley, Mrs. Gertrude Foltz and her son and his wife of Omaha, Mrs. Charles Foltz of Omaha, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Schumacher of Platte Center, Mrs. Anna German and Mrs. Irene Veik of Platte Center, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Polt of Pierce, Mrs. Francis Christensen of Yankton, S.D., Mr. and Mrs. Ed German of Pierce, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Flaherty of St. Edward, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard King of Lincoln, Mrs. George Schumacher of Elgin, Miss Clara Fehringer of Columbus, Frank, Joe, and Henry Liebel of Elgin, Chester Wagalie of Tllden, Henry Chavanau and Jack Schmidt of Petersburg, Charles, George and Jack Bender, Mrs. Barbara Braun and Wilfred VanAckeren of Omaha, William and Andrew Bender of Madison, Clarence Marty, Geo. Hoegell and Herb Person and J.T. Kaufman of Columbus, Mrs. Celia Coldwell of Albion and Bill Fehringer of Bloomfield.