Mrs. Minnie Sophia Bischoff was the daughter of Marcus Kastens and Maria Schroeder and was born on December 22, 1866, at Breba, Germany, and died in Wauneta last Tuesday night, on July 26, 1949, at 10:00 p.m., at the age of 82 years, seven months, and four days.

Having been baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith in Assendorf, Hanover, she spent her childhood in that community, where she grew into womanhood.

She was united in marriage to John Bischoff in 1887. This union was blessed with nine children, of whom William died six years ago, in 1943.

In March, 1893, the family emigrated to Elk Creek, Nebr., where they lived for eight years. After that, in 1901, they made their home in Athol, Kansas. Since 1908, the family has lived on the South Divide, with the exception of 12 years, from 1927 to 1939, when Mr. and Mrs. Bischoff retired to live in Culbertson.

Since the death of her husband in 1939, she made her home with her daughter, Minnie Denker, in Wauneta. She and her family were charter members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, which congregation was organized the same year the Bischoffs moved into this community.

Mrs. Bischoff was known in her community as a good mother and wife, a helpful neighbor, a sincere Christian, and an active church member who loved and followed her Savior. She was a regular at her worship in church and trained her children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Besides leading her own children to the Lord, she opened her home to other children during the school year so as to give them also an opportunity for Christian instruction.

She enjoyed good health most of her life. She began failing about a year ago, but was not helpless to within the last few weeks of her life. Even during the last days of her passing, she was able to repeat the precious gospel promises which she had learned as a child and and which were her comfort and staff throughout life and death.

She leaves to mourn her passing: four sons, Henry and John of Wauneta, Fred of Loveland, Colo., Carl of Benkelman, and four daughters, Mrs. Minnie Denker, Mrs. Bertha Denker, Mrs. Sophia Nordhausen, all of Wauneta, and Mrs. Ella Winkelmann of Imperial, one brother, Carl, in Hamburg, Germany, 26 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren.

Source: Imperial Republican, August 11, 1949

Contributor: Steven Hardy (46920089)