Philomena Maria Rau

Obituary: Teutopolis Press - September 6, 1943

OBITUARY

Philomena Brumleve was born Sept. 29, 1863 in Teutopolis, the daughter of Mr and Mrs. Clement Brumleve nee Francesca Grove. When grown to womanhood she went to Red Bud where she served as housekeeper for her brother, the late Rev August Brumleve until her marriage in that city to Benedict Rau on September 30, 1884 at Red Bud. To this union two children were born: August, who died at the age of six years; and Mrs. Clem J. (Stella) Siemer of Teutopolis. After the death of her husband in the year 1892, Mrs. Rau again took charge of her brother's household at Red Bud and about thirty years ago, when Father Brumleve retired from active parish duty the brother and sister came to Teutopolis to make their home. After the death of Father Brumleve in the year 1930, Mrs. Rau continued to make her home here and two years ago she suffered a broken limb in a fall at her home which injury caused her to remain an invalid ever since. All that was humanly possible was done by her daughter and grandchildren to ease her sufferings until she passed away about 4 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 29, 1945 at the advanced age of 81 years and 11 months.

Besides her daughter, Mrs. Clem Siemer, the deceased is survived by two step-daughters, Mrs. Albert (Hannah) Raffl and Mrs, Robert (Emma) Merz of Red Bud; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; nineteen step - grandchildren and twenty-seven step-great-grandchildren besides a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held in St Francis Catholic Church in Teutopolis at 9:30 A.M. Saturday morning, the Rev Fabian Merz, O.F.M., a step-grandchild officiating. The remains were laid to rest in St Francis parish Cemetery here.

Fall-bearers were: Ed Hoedebecke, Lambert, Omar, and Clete Merz, Quintin Siemer and Don Ewing.

Flower-girls were: Patricia and Judith Griffin, Jacqueline and Elise Merz, Dolores, Jean, Roberta, Rosemary and Betty Lu Hoedebecke and Joyce and Carolyn Merz.

Mrs. Rau was a faithful member of St Ann's Sodality and the Third Order of St Francis of St Francis Church, Teutopolis, and also a member of the Ladies Altar Society of St John the Baptist Church at Red Bud and always took an active part in Church and social affairs until failing health prevented her.

The following were among those from a distance who attended the funeral services Saturday morning: Mrs. Robert Merz of Red Bud; Mr. and Mrs. Omar Merz and family of St Louis, MO.; Miss Kenny of Milwaukee, Wi.; Rev Fabian Merz, OFM of Springfield; Mr. and Mrs. Lambert Merz and family, Mr. and Mrs. Clete Merz and family and Mrs. Wm. Willenborg of Effingham; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schottman of Montrose and probably others whose names we were unable to obtain.