My maternal great-grandmother~~

OBITUARY from family handwritten keepsakes.

"Elizabeth Hanni Baehler was born in Wattenwil, near Bern, Switzerland April 6, 1857.

Within the sight of towering snow-capped mountains, sparkling water falls, and laughing mountain streams, she passed the days of her girlhood in the neighborhood of the capitol of the Swiss confederacy.

It was during the days of girlhood and youth that she received the culture of mind and heart that fitted her for life's work. At the usual age, she passed her studies in catechism and was confirmed as a member of the Lutheran Church.

In 1879, she was united in marriage to Alfred Baehler. To them were born ten children. Minnie, Otto, and Bertha were born in Switzerland. Fred, Cora, Walter, Lillie, Olga, Hulda, and Harold were born here.

Twenty seven years have passed since they left their native land with the splendor of its alpine fields to find a dwelling place amid the prairies of Illinois and found a residence near Farmer City. Then Pleasant Ridge became the family home where the family has grown and made for itself an honored place in the neighborhood.

Mrs. Baehler is the first trophy that the silent reaper has plucked from the family circle and she was taken so quickly that her going was a shock to the whole community. Of the immediate family, the husband, ten children, five grand children, five sisters, and one brother survive the deceased.

Her interests centered in right things, she was industrious and frugal, careful of every interest of her family and not unmindful of her neighbors. She was a member of the Women's Foreign Missionary Society of Wing, a supporter of, and worker in the M.E. Church and interested in the best things.

A large assembly gathered at her funeral held in Wing M.E. Church, where Rev. D.F. Wilson conducted the services, after which, the burial rites were performed at the cemetery east of Wing.

Mrs. Baehler was aged 53 years, 8 months, and 10 days and departed this life December 16, 1910 at 9:15 in the evening. The heartfelt sympathy of all goes out to the family in their hour of distress and grief."
~~ ~~



According to family records, I believe the original spelling of her maiden name was "HAENNI." The "E" was dropped when other family members came to the U.S. The grave marker spells the name as "Hanni."

Elizabeth was my maternal grandfather's mother.

Rest in peace dear great grandmother.