Katharina Anna Spoering

Katharina Anna Spoering was born near Hamler, Ohio, on December 17, 1885, the fourth daughter of Herman Heinrich and Katharine (Floke) Spoering.  She was the second child born after their immigration to the United States in 1882.  Kate was baptized at Hope Lutheran Church on January 10, 1886, and confirmed there in March, 1899.  Her connection with this church would last a lifetime to her funeral and burial.

In 1911, she married William Tietje, known locally as "Dutch Bill."  Bill came to America to avoid the draft in Germany, it was said in the family, arriving here in 1909.  In the 1910 census, he was boarding with the Frank Nickols family of Richfield Township in Henry County.  He was 26 years old and employed at farming.  The young couple married at Hope Lutheran Church near Hamler and for twenty-five years engaged in farming near Holgate.

Bill and Kate had no biological children, but by the 1920 census, they had taken in a seven year old boy named William (Wilhelm) Meyer.  He was listed as a boarder in the census, naturalized in 1913, which is probably when his parents immigrated.  There were several Meyer families living near the Tietjes, but the reason for his staying with them is lost to history.  They raised "Willie" as their own son and by the 1930 census in Pleasant Township, the boy was listed with them as William J. Tietje, adopted son, 17 years old.  As the family story goes, Willie enrolled at the International Business College in Fort Wayne and there suffered an attack of appendicitis.  He returned home to convalesce and, apparently, there were tensions in the family over something.  When he recovered, Willie left the home and never contacted Bill or Kate again.

Dutch Bill died on January 16, 1954 at the age of 70 and was buried in the cemetery at Hope Lutheran Church. On June 18, 1955, Kate married her brother-in-law, Albert Elling, also a widower since August, 1951, when his first wife and Kate's sister, Ida, passed away.  At the time of their marriage, Kate was 70 years old and Albert was 67.  They lived in Hamler for several years and then moved to a house on Park Street in Napoleon.  For the last few years of her life, Kate was virtually housebound and she died in December, 1968, at the age of 82.

Aunt Kate and Albert Elling

As a child, I have to admit that I was a bit intimidated by Aunt Kate.  She seemed stern to me as her thick German accent was sometimes difficult to understand.  But she was generous with the grandchildren and, I'm sure, a good companion to my grandfather.  I remember that she thought "chillens" should be quiet when visiting!  And I'll never forget the time she served me a juice glass of cold beer with my lunch when I was young and visiting with my dad.  I gave him a side look to get his approval and he nodded! 




Her funeral sermon (thankfully saved by Aunt Alma) noted that "the departed sister...(was) especially pleasant, devoted and dedicated worker for her Lord at Hope Church, at home and in the Ladies' organization at the church."  At the time of her death, she had 32 step-grandchildren (of which I was one) and 5 step-great-grandchildren.

The last photo with Albert Elling was taken on their wedding day, I believe, at their home in Hamler.  I vaguely remember being there on that day.  I wonder if that is a photo of Willie hanging on the wall behind them?

 

The only place that I have seen the Katherene spelling

"KATHERINE ELLING

NAPOLEON - Mrs. Katherine Tietje Elling 82 713 Park St., died at 10 p.m. Wednesday in Northcrest Nursing Home, following a long illness.

She was born Dec. 17, 1885 in Henry County, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Floke) Spoering, and married William Tietje in 1911.  They farmed near Holgate for 25 years,then retired and moved to Hamler.  Tietje died Jan. 16, 1954 and June 18, 1955, she married Albert Elling.  They lived in Hamler two years, moving to Napoleon in 1957. 

*Surviving are her husband, Albert; two stepsons, Aldred (Alfred) and Rudolph Elling, Liberty Center; four stepdaughters, Mrs. Allyn (Alma) Hicksted and Mrs. Norman (Louise) Hausch, Wauseon; Mrs. Rolland (Eleonore) Glanz, Toledo; 32 step-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren, and a sister, Mrs. Emelia Slagle, Traverse City, Michigan.

Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Hope Lutheran Church, near Hamler, the Rev. A.J. Boomgarden officiating.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.  Friends may call in Wesche Funeral Home, Napoleon, from 7-9 tonight, 2-4 and 7-9 Friday." 

* Mistakes in this listing of stepdaughters - Mrs. Norman (Louise) Miller of Napoleon and Mrs. Edward (Lorna) Hausch of Wauseon

Originally posted in December, 2008 and revised on March 23, 2020