Mary Anna Speer (Bauerkemper) (1869-1937)

Sources: The Silver City Times
and Joyce (Hansen) George

SERVICES FOR MARY B. SPEER

Funeral services for Mrs. John Speer were held last Thursday afternoon, November 18th at 1:30, at the Baptist church. Rev. T. J. Reese, a former pastor of Silver City, now located at Jefferson, Iowa, conducted the services, with the Raynor Mortuary of Glenwood in charge of the arrangements.

The church was crowded to overflowing with friends, who came to pay their final tribute of respect to Mrs. Speer, who had been a resident of southwest Iowa all her life, and who had lived in and near Silver City a great part of the time.

With Mrs. R. P. Galt as pianist, a mixed quartet composed of R. P. Galt, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Anderson of Silver City and Mrs. Frank Pullman of Omaha, sang "Face to Face" and "It is Well With My Soul". Flower girls were: Harriett Hendrix, LaVera Bada, Elizabeth Schoening and Veda Myers. Those who served as pall bearers were Guy Custer, Chas. Sell, Wm Burgoin, James Burgoin, Albert Pullman of Silver City, and Frank Pullman of Omaha. Interment was in the Plumer Cemetery near Dumfries.

Mary Anna Bauerkemper, daughter of William and Margaret Bauerkemper, was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, January 26th, 1869. She grew to womanhood on a farm east of Council Bluffs. She was confirmed in the German Lutheran Church when a young woman.

On May 6, 1886, she was united in marriage to Charley Edward Saar of Glenwood, Iowa. Four children were born to this union. Two boys died in infancy.

Mr. Saar passed away on February 1st, 1892

On June 1, 1898, she was united in marriage to John B. Speer, of Silver City. Two children were born to this union.

After three years of very poor health, Mrs. Speer passed away at the home of her sister, Mrs. Dan Markel, on November 14th, 1937, at the age of 68 years, 9 months and 18 days.

Most of her married life had been spent on the farm north of Silver City.

She is survived by her husband, Mr. John Speer of Silver City; three sons, Louis E. Saar of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Charles W. Saar of Silver City, Iowa, and Dale B. Speer of Tiskilwa, Illinois; one daughter, Mrs. Gladys Burgoin of Canoga Park, Calif.; two granddaughters; three brothers, Will Bauerkemper of Minden, Iowa, Ernest Bauerkemper of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and George Bauerkemper of Amarilla, Texas; two sisters, Mrs. Emma Markel of Silver City and Miss Louise Bauerkemper of Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Besides these relatives, she leaves a host of neighbors and friends.

"We'll say Goodnight here,
   But Good Morning up There."

Friends and relatives from out of town here to attend the service were:
Mr. and Mrs. Wm Bauerkemper of Minden; Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Bauerkemper of Walnut; Miss Louisa Bauerkemper, Mrs. and Mrs. Ernest Bauerkemper, Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Haines, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Peterson, Mr. and Mrs. John Wheeler, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Soliday, Mr. and Mrs. John Rapalji, Mrs. Louise Rapalji, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Speer, Council Bluffs; Leonard Speer and family of Valley, Nebr.; Guy Maynes and son of Houghton, So. Dakota; Mr. and Mrs. Claude Maynes, Red Oak; Mr. and Mrs. Tom Caudell, Malvern; Mrs. Myrtle Bauerkemper and son, Lloyd of Omaha; Mrs. Roy Dabler of Tiskilwa, Ill.


Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Anna Speer, 68, resident near Silver City, Ia., who died Sunday, will be held Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at the Baptist church at Silver City. Burial will be in the Plumer cemetery. Raynor's funeral home of Glenwood, Ia., is in charge.