Clara Nee Siebrandt Ortmann Mehling
 Robert & Clara Siebrandt Ortmann, Nov 1926 |
Clara Ortmann Mehling, nee Siebrandt, was born to Herman and Anna Nee Smeckpepper Siebrandt on March 10, 1890 at their farm home southwest of Pender. The late Pastor Harms baptized her. She became a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, rural Pender, after it was established. She received her education at District 59 and St. John's Parochial School. She was confirmed at St. John's. She helped at home, shocked grain and picked corn and also worked out some. She was married to Robert A. Ortmann on October 12, 1910. They came to live on a farm about a mile southwest of Bancroft. They became members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Three children were born to them; Ruth, Alvin and Arthur. Robert died April 10, 1922 of flu and pneumonia. Clara continued to live on the farm with the children. Her brother, Wm. Siebrandt came to help her with the farming. It was by coming to help her that he met his future wife, Adeline Beineke. The next farming year her nephew, Herman Beckmann rented the ground and lived with them. Frank Mehling, a widower with three sons, Elmer, Irving and Vernon, and she were married on December 7, 1923. Lewis was born to them November 10, 1926. |
Frank was a kind and loving husband, father and stepfather. Also he was always interested in the community. He helped with the building of St. Paul's new church; served as an eider for several terms. He served on the Bancroft School Board at the time when the new gymnasium was built. He also served on the Farmers Union Co-Op. Oil Association Board.
The family was victims of a severe windstorm on May 2, 1928, which destroyed a large barn and several horses. On May 1, 1930 a tornado completely demolished the large farm home, the new barn, other farm buildings, and a new Hupmobile car. Some livestock was also killed. The family, however, was safe in the cave during both storms.
A new home, barn and other farm buildings were put up again that summer and fall. The family lived in Bancroft until the home was ready for occupancy.
Frank developed a heart condition and died of a heart attack in July 1952.
She continued to live on the farm a few more years after which she bought a house in Bancroft.
Clara liked to see things grow and had a garden on the southwest edge of town. She also crocheted, did needlework and helped the "Quilters" with quilting. She was a member of the Altar Guild, the Sewing Circle and later the Ladies Aid.
In 1971 she began to show symptoms of cranial arthritis. Much medical help was sought, but gradually she became blind. She was forced to go to Colonial Haven Rest Home in Beemer. She spent her remaining years there, till she suffered a severe stroke and died at the hospital in West Point on December 13, 1979. She was buried in the Bancroft Cemetery beside her first husband.
By: Ruth Nee Ortmann Maas
Written 1984 for the Heritage of Bancroft centennial book
Obituary
Clara Mehling
Funeral services for Clara M. Mehling, 88, of Bancroft were held at Rt. Paul's Lutheran Church and at Bancroft Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Arvin Hasebroock, Clarence Beckman, Leonard Beckman, Erwin Siebrandt, Glen Siebrandt and Leo Siebrandt.
Mrs. Mehling was horn March 10, 1890, at Pender to Herman and Anna (Smeckpepper) Siebrandt. She attended District 59 and St. John's schools near Pender.
On Oct. 11, 1910, she was married to Robert A. Ortmann at St. John's Lutheran Church, Pender. They farmed southwest of Bancroft. He died April 10, 1922.
She was married to Frank W. Mehling on Dec. 7, 1923. He died July 17, 1952. She has been residing in Beemer nursing home since 1974.
Surviving are children, Mrs. John (Ruth) Mass and Arthur Ortmann of Bancroft, Alvin Ortmann of Pender and Lewis Mehling of Sidney, stepsons, Elmer Mehling of Bayard Vernon Mehling of. Pender, sister, Mrs. Emma Hellwinckel of Laverne, Minn., brother, William Siebrandt of Beemer, 12 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.