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Family Group Sheet For Joseph & Rose Stecher
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Husband: JOSEPH STECHER
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       Birth: Nov 25, 1857   VIENNA, AUSTRIA                                        
  Emigration: 1869                                                                  
      Census: 1880                                                                  
       Death: Nov 17, 1934   COMPLICATIONS FROM A GALL STONE OPERATION; OMAHA, DOUGL
      Burial:                LOGAN CEMETERY, HOOPER, DODGE CO., NE                  
    Marriage: Feb 6, 1878    FREMONT, DODGE CO., NE                                 
      Father: FRANK STECHER (1828-1903)
      Mother: ANNA POSPSCHIL (1834-    )
==========================================================================================
Wife: ROSE CATHERINE ELIZABETH WAGNER
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       Birth: Mar 19, 1853   CLEVELAND, OH                                          
    Relocate: 1856           DODGE COUNTY, WISCONSIN                                
    Relocate: Jul 4, 1861    DODGE COUNTY, NEBRASKA                                 
       Death: Jan 15, 1933   PNEUMONIA; HOOPER, DODGE CO., NE                       
      Burial:                LOGAN CEMETERY, HOOPER, DODGE CO., NE                  
      Father: JOHAN GEORG "GEORGE" WAGNER (1809-1865)
      Mother: CHRISTIANE BARBARA SEITZ (1814-1875)
==========================================================================================
Children
==========================================================================================
1 M FRANK STECHER
       Death: abt 1879       DODGE COUNTY, NEBRASKA                                 
       Birth: abt 1879       DODGE COUNTY, NEBRASKA                                 
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2 M LESTER STECHER
       Birth: Sep 8, 1883    NEBRASKA                                               
       Death: May  1969      SIDNEY, NE                                             
      Burial:                POTTER CEMETERY, POTTER, NE                            
      Spouse: ETHEL STEPHENS (    -1964)
    Marriage: Mar 2, 1911    BIG SPRINGS, NE                                        
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 M FRANCES J. STECHER
       Birth: Sep 28, 1885   HOOPER, DODGE CO., NE                                  
       Death: Feb 15, 1928   LINCOLN, LANCASTER CO., NE                             
      Burial:                PROSPECT HILL CEMETERY, WATERLOO, NE                   
      Spouse: ELIZABETH MCWHORTER (1885-1920)
    Marriage: Feb 10, 1915   OMAHA, DOUGLAS CO., NE                                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 M LOUIS H. STECHER
       Birth: Jul 17, 1891   NEBRASKA                                               
       Death: Jan 4, 1973    HOOPER, DODGE CO., NE                                  
      Burial:                HOOPER CEMETERY, HOOPER, DODGE CO., NE                 
      Spouse: CARRIE R. WENTZEL (1895-1995)
    Marriage: Dec 31, 1919   LOGAN, IA                                              
==========================================================================================
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Obituary - Elizabeth McWhorter Stecher

The Hooper Sentinel 
February 5, 1920

Called by Death Mrs. F. J. Stecher and Daughter

When the news was heralded Thursday afternoon that Mrs. Francis J.
Stecher had succumbed to an attack of pneumonia at 3:30 o'clock, it
cast a gloom of extreme sorrow among the many friends in this
vicinity. She was first taken ill January 14 with a severe cold and
which later turned into pneumonia, and all that skilled physicians
and help could do to stay the end was of no avail.  Mr. Stecher and
their three-year-old daughter, Shirley, were also sufferers from
the disease at the same time. Mr. Stecher has now recovered, but
Miss Shirley's condition is still very critical, in fact her death
has been looked for at most any time.

As Elizabeth McWhorter, deceased was born at Wilber, Nebr., July
10, 1885, and died January 29, 1920, at the age of 34 years, 6
months and 19 days.  When but a child she moved with her parents to
Dorsey and later to Waterloo, which was her home up to the time of
her marriage to Francis J. Stecher, which occurred at Omaha on
February 10, 1915. She was a loving wife and mother and could not
have been more devoted to her husband and daughter whose sorrow now
are inexpressible deep and inconsolable, and to whom the sympathy
of Hooper people goes out in this, their deep hour of sorrow.
Besides the husband and daughter, she also leaves to mourn her
loss, her mother, Mrs. Wm. McWhorter; two sisters, Mrs. A. D.
Compton and Mrs. B. J. Shemwell, of Waterloo; and two brothers, M.
J. McWhorter of Rogers and Robert McWhorter of North Bend; all of
whom were here for the Funeral.

Short funeral services, which were largely attended, were held at
the home at 10 o'clock Saturday, Rev. J. Schrader of the Zion
Lutheran church, officiating.  After these services, the remains,
accompanied by the relatives, were taken to Waterloo, where another
service was held at 2 o'clock, and interment was made in the
Waterloo cemetery.

Since the above was put into type another inexpressibly deep and
inconsolable sorrow has come to Mr. Stecher.  This time it is to
mourn the loss of his little daughter Shirley. Her death came at 7
o'clock Tuesday, morning, February 3. Fate has indeed been unkind
to Mr. Stecher, but he has the consolation of knowing that the
sympathy of his friends are now more than ever with him, and that
they also mourn with him. As with the mother short services were
held at the home at 10 o'clock yesterday morning, after which the
remains were taken to Waterloo and laid to rest besides those of
the mother.

STECHER, ELIZABETH
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Obituary - Francis J. Stecher

The Hooper Sentinel 
February 23, 1928

Former Hooper Resident Passed Away Last Week

Francis J. Stecher, better known to friends as " Denny" Stecher, a
son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Stecher of Fremont, and a former resident
of this place, died last week Wednesday at a Lincoln hospital.  He
had been in failing health for a number of years and in hopes of
recovery he had been confined in hospitals at Council Bluffs and
Lincoln, but though treatment given him gave improvement a complete
recovery was not made.

The body was brought to Fremont, and funeral services held Saturday
afternoon from the Salem Lutheran church.  Rev. George P. Kabele
conducting them.  The remains were taken to the Prospect Hill
cemetery near Waterloo were interment was made by the side of the
bodies of his wife and daughter who passed away eight years ago.
The services at the grave were conducted by Waterloo lodge No. 102,
A. F. & A. M., at the request of Hooper Lodge No 72 of which lodge
he was a member. Pallbearers were P. E. Peppmiller, Frank J.
Schwab, Elmer Schwab, Henry E. Schlemmell, H. T. Ring and M. A.
Uehling, members of the Hooper lodge.

Mr. Stecher was 42 years of age, he having been born on the Stecher
farm three miles northeast of Hooper on September 28, 1885.  Here
he spent his boyhood and young manhood days and when his parents
moved to Fremont he assumed management of the farm, leaving it
after the death of his wife and daughter eight years ago.  Since
then he made his home in Fremont, were he became actively
interested in athletics such as wrestling and boxing, and was a
cousin of Joe Stecher, the well known wrestler.  For a time he
served on the Fremont police department as desk sergeant.  Through
his activities Mr. Stecher became well known throughout this
community and held the confidence and high respect of many friends
who now extend to the relatives deepest sympathy.

Surviving him are his parents of Fremont, and two brothers, Lester,
of Potter and Louis of this place.

STECHER, FRANCES J.
******************************************************************

Name on Tombstone = Joseph Stecher

Dates on Tombstone = 25 Nov 1857  -  17 Nov 1934

Obituary

The Hooper Sentinel 
November 22, 1934

Joseph Stecher Called By Death

Another of the early day settlers of this community entered into
his final reward when death called Joseph Stecher of Winslow early
last Saturday morning November 17, at the St. Joseph hospital in
Omaha.  On Wednesday Mr. Stecher had undergone a gall stone
operation to secure relief from an ailment that had troubled him
for some time. While he passed through the operation nicely,
complications suddenly set in and the end came rapidly and as a
surprise to his many friends here. His death removes a Dodge County
resident of 69 years standing.

Mr. Stecher had attained the age of 76 years, 11 months and 22
days, he having been born near Vienna, Bohemia, on November 25,
1857.  At the age of 12 years he came to the United States with his
parents and two brothers and settled on a farm near Dodge, and
began a residence that made him widely acquainted in the county. On
February 6, 1878, he was married to Miss Rose Wagner of Hooper.
Following the marriage a home was established near Dodge followed
later by a short residence in Kansas, after which they returned to
Dodge county and settled on the farm four miles northeast of Hooper
now managed by his son, Louis.

In 1916 he and Mrs. Stecher retired from farm life to enjoy a well
earned rest and moved to Fremont, which city remained his home for
the next 16 years.  In the fall of 1932 Mr. and Mrs. Stecher moved
back to the old familiar landmarks to make their home in Winslow,
but shortly afterwards or on January 15, 1933, death took away Mrs.
Stecher and broke up a companionship that had lasted for fifty-five
years.

In his years of residence in this locality Mr. Stecher proved
himself to be a successful farmer and stock raiser, keeping abreast
with the times of those years.  He was active and prominent in the
affairs of the community in which he lived and gained the high
respect of his fellow citizens.

He was the father of four sons, one, Frank, dying in infancy and
another, Francis, passing away in 1928.  The two who survive him
are Lester of Potter and Louis of Hooper.  He is also survived by
four Grandchildren.

STECHER, JOSEPH
******************************************************************

Name = Lester Stecher

Dates = 1888  -  1969

Obituary 

The Hooper Sentinel 
May 15, 1969

L. W. Stecher, Former Hooperite, Died at Sidney

Services for Lester W. Stecher, 85, a former Hooper resident, were
held Saturday afternoon at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sidney, with
burial in the Potter Cemetery.  Rev. Harlan Bret officiated.

Mr. Stecher died at Memorial Hospital in Sidney, as he was
undergoing surgery for a hip fracture.

Born at Hooper Sept. 8, 1888, Mr. Stecher was the son of Joseph and
Rose Stecher.  He lived in eastern Nebraska until he was married
March 3, xxxx to Ethel Stephens at Big Springs.  The couple then
moved to a farm north of Potter.  In 1949 they moved to Sidney. Mrs.
Stecher died in 1964.

Mr. Stecher was a member of the Holly Trinity Lutheran Church, and
the Masonic Lodge 313 at Potter.

Surviving are a son, Joey of Potter; a brother, Louis of Hooper; two
grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

STECHER, LESTER
******************************************************************

Name on Tombstone = Rosa C E Stecher

Dates on Tombstone = 19 Mar 1853  -  15 Jan 1933

Married Name = Mrs. Joseph Stecher

Maiden Name = Rosa Catherine Elizabeth Wagner

Obituary

The Hooper Sentinel 
Jan. 19, 1933

Mrs. Jos. Stecher Called By Death

Slowly, but surely, the real pioneer residents of this community
are, being called to their eternal rest, and this week it becomes
our duty to chronicle the passing of one who has been a resident of
the locality since 1861.  This is Mrs. Joseph Stecher, who passed
away about 3 o'clock, Sunday after noon, January, 15, 1933, at the
old farm home, the present home of her son, Louis, about four miles
northeast of Hooper. An illness of a week which developed into
pneumonia was the cause of her death. Previous to that time she had
enjoyed good health.  She passed away at the age of 79 years, 9
months and 26 days, and of the original family that came to
Nebraska in the early days, Mrs. Stecher was the last.  As Rose
Catherine Elizabeth Wagner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Wagner,
she was born on March 19, 1853 in Cleveland, Ohio. When a child of
three she went with her parents to Madison, Wisc., residing there
until 1861.  On April 1st of that year the family in company with
the Schwab family started for Nebraska by ox team arriving here on
July 4.  The trip, while a hard and tedious one, was, however,
filled with much to interest a girl of eight years and according to
a sketch give by her at the unveiling of the Logan Mills monument
in 1930 was also filed with impressions that remained with her the
rest of her life.  The hardships of the trip and the rigors of the
early winters moulded a depth of character in the pioneers which is
difficult to find among the present day people.

Her first home in this community was an abandoned two room log
cabin about a mile from the Logan Mills that was shared for a time
by both the Wagner and Schwab families.  Her father then pre-empted
a 160 acre claim which he later homesteaded and on which a log
house was built in 1862. From then on this county has been her home
and among its people she had become beloved and widely known.

Her marriage to Joseph Stecher took place at Fremont on February 6,
1878.  Following the marriage they located on the farm now the home
of her son, Louis.  Here she and Mr. Stecher resided until
seventeen years ago when they retired from farm life to enjoy a
well earned rest and moved to Fremont.  Four months ago they came
back to the old familiar landmarks and took up their home in
Winslow, but death destined her not to remain long amid the circle
of her old time friendships.  As a wife and mother Mrs. Stecher was
ever devoted to her family, as a friend ever faithful and helping
and as a resident always held in the highest esteem by all. Her
passing is sincerely regretted by everyone who knew her and all
extend sympathy to the family in their loss.

She was the mother of four sons, two having preceded her in death,
Frank in infancy and Francis in 1928.  Surviving sons are Lester of
Potter and Louis of Hooper, who with the father now mourn the
passing of a much beloved mother and wife.  Four grandchildren also
survive her. Following her death her body was taken charge of by
the Wolmer & Warne mortuary service until the day of the funeral.
This was yesterday with short services first being held at 1:30 at
the Louis Stecher farm home and at 2 O'clock from the Grace
Lutheran church, in which faith she had been reared and maintained.
An audience that filled the church was present to pay their tribute
to the memory of this beloved woman and pay heed to the words of
comfort as pronounced by the pastor, Rev. W. H. Moeller.  Interment
was made in the Logan cemetery, which is a part of the original
Wagner homestead and in which her father, who passed away in 1865,
was the first interred. 
-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -

The Schwab and Wagner journey from Wisconsin to Nebraska in 1861 as
told by Mrs. Rose Wagner Stecher:

We started April 1st from Madison and landed in Nebraska on July
4th. Travelled with oxen and covered wagon.  We found an abandoned
loghouse about one mile from Logan mill.  It had one room below and
one room above. It was not plastered.  Both families moved in.
There were six of us and five of the Schwabs.  During fall and
winter Schwabs built their house on land that is still owned by
their grandson, Harry Schwab.  We lived in rather close quarters
the first winter.  There were two stoves, two beds, tables and
chairs besides a large chest that was used as a cupboard.  While we
travelled for three months we only had the stove out twice for
washing.

All we lived on was toasted bread and milk.  Mother toasted bread
all winter.  Many sacks were filled.  We had two cows.  Milk was
put in a large jar.  So it was the same bill of fare every day
including some cured meat of our own.  We found only two places
where we could buy food.  One of them had only potatoes and the
other had eggs.  We bought a large wash basin full of eggs for five
cents.  Many a day we traveled from four in the morning until sun
down with no water all day, oxen and cows having their tongues
hanging out of parched mouths.  More than once we expected to die
from thirst and heat.  We did not have much milk as cows traveling
all day could not give milk.  I was eight years old but that scene
was stamped on my memory where it will remain until death erases
it.

During the winter we had heavy snows and blizzards.  The older boys
slept upstairs on feather beds, no beds.  They were often covered
with several inches of snow mornings.  My father George Wagner pre-
empted 160 acres which he afterwards homesteaded.  In 1862 we built
a loghouse.  In 1864 father was taken sick and the nearest town was
Omaha.  No chance to get a doctor.  Sixty miles is a long distance
when oxen were the only conveyance to travel with. It took a week
for the round trip. There were no cemeteries in those days, so
father gave 2 acres from his homestead for the Logan Cemetery.  He
died March l4, 1865 and was the first man buried there.  The snow
was very deep and there was no place to get a coffin.  We had to
make one out of cottonwood boards that were sawed near Logan Mill. 
We had only a common saw and no plane. It was made coffin shape top
and bottom alike.  They painted it with ashes and water.  A great
difference between coffins then and now.

I think people were more satisfied then with our simple ways than
now with all the splendor and high living. 
 
 
 

STECHER, ROSE CATHERINE
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Visitors Since September 24, 2000

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