"Johnson County Courier"
Sterling, Nebraska
Thursday, December 23, 1948

Services were held at two o'clock Saturday afternoon in St. John American Lutheran church for Mrs. Anna Eilers, who departed this life at 4:15 o'clock last Wednesday morning, Dec. 15, 1948, at the age of seventy-two years, eleven months, eight days.
Anna, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Boatsman, was born Jan. 7, 1876 at Ackley, Iowa. She was baptized on March 12, 1876 in St. Peter Lutheran church, Grundy County, Iowa, by Pastor G. Loeffler. When two years of age she came to Nebraska with her parents, who settled on their homestead three miles south of Sterling.
On April 10, 1892, after being duly instructed in the teaching of the church, she was confirmed in St. John Lutheran church south of Sterling by Pastor Julius Wolff.
On May 1, 1898 she was unted in marriage with George F. Dorsch of Cook, Nebr. To this union six children were born, one son and five daughters. On Jan. 4, 1940 she was united in marriage with William J. Eilers.
The departed one spent most of her life in the vicinty of Sterling. She was a faithful member of the Lutheran church, who put her Christian faith into practice. From time to time holy communion was administered to her at her home during the past two years. As long as she was able she she enjoyed worshipping in St. John American Lutheran church.
It was always her desire to maintain her own home and not burden anyone else. By the grace of a good God she was blessed with good health until about two years ago, but since that time her strength failed her. Sunday, Dec. 12, she became seriously ill and was taken to St. Elizabeth hospital in Lincoln, where she fell quietly asleep early last Wednesday morning.
She is survived and mourned by her children: Mrs. Doris Joekel of Sterling; Emma (Mrs. Loren McPherson) of Lincoln; Edna (Mrs. W. E. Mumby) of Harrison; Polly (Mrs. Geo. Thiesfeld) of Sterling; George W. Dorsch of Oakland, Calif.; Mae (Mrs Edmund Haynes) of Oakland, Calif. There are also six grandchildren, and one sister, Mrs. Nettie Hoeger of Chatsworth, Ill., who also mourn her passing.
The children pay a loving tribute to their mother as follows:
"She met the hardships of life with courage and determination. Her loyalty and devotion to her family are commendable and she maintained a home that was ideal and complete. Never did she find herself too involved in her own duties to ease the heartaches of others. In this way she attained the key to beautiful living."
To those who so deeply miss their loved one is extended the sincere sympangy of their friends.
Pastor John Voelk conducted the funeral service, and Mrs. Eilers was laid to rest in the Sterling cemetery.