Mrs. Anna Margaretha Woest, nee Hollander, was born the 17th day of February, 1860, in St. Margarethen on Elbe, Germany. In her infancy she was baptized in the Lutheran faith and later renewed her baptismal vow on the day of her confirmation. Up to about her twentieth year, she remained in Germany.

In the year 1881, she, together with a brother, came to this country, locating in Pottawattamie County, near Council Bluffs. In the fall of the same year, she was united in holy wedlock to Meves Schmielau, near Council Bluffs, now the town of Treynor. To this union six children were born, one of whom preceded the parents in death. For the next 13 years she remained at the aforementioned place. On the 12th day of May, 1894, her husband passed away, leaving her a widow with five small children. She remained at Treynor for two more years, up to 1896. In that year she, together with her five children, moved to Crawford County, locating at Aspinwall. After residing here for a period of three years, she was married to John Woest. The family then moved to a farm eight miles north of Aspinwall, remaining on the same farm for the next eleven years.

In the spring of 1911 the family moved to the town of Aspinwall, living there for nineteen years.

In 1930, her husband purchased the property in. Walkertown and moved there shortly afterwards. It was here that on August 31, 1933, her second husband preceded her in death.

Though seemingly well physically, the deceased was afflicted with greatly impaired sight, being practically unable to see. Last year, however, she was afflicted with physical ailment and took to bed on the 20th of October, 1934, which proved to be a long and protracted sickbed and finally her deathbed. For four months she was bedfast, during which time she was a patient sufferer, confessing her faith in her Savior and longing to be relieved of the troubles of this time. Her desire was granted early Saturday morning, February 16th, when she fell asleep peacefully and as we hope, in faith in her Savior and Redeemer, after having and enjoying the tender care of her loved ones.

She is mourned by the following children of her first marriage: Mrs. Harvey Johnson of Rock Island, Mrs. Henry Ranniger of Vail, Iowa, Mrs. William Ahmen of Rock Island, Illinois, Otto and John Schmielau, both of Manilla, and the children of her second marriage, Hugo Woest of Davenport, Iowa, and Frieda Woest of Manilla, Iowa.

Besides these there are left to mourn her passing, one brother, John Hollander, eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

She reached the age of 74 years, 11 months and 30 days.

Funeral services were held at the home at 1:30 Monday afternoon and at the Trinity Lutheran Church at 2:00 o'clock, with Rev. F.C. Israel conducting both services. Interment was made in Iowa Township Cemetery. Pallbearers were, Fred Steckelberg, William Boyens, John Ehlers, John Wick, Richard Marten, and A.C. Behrend.