Person Page - 397

     Elmer Preston Tobias was born on 26 March 1891, Klinger, Bremer County, IA.^1,2,3 He was the son of David Merkel Tobias and Barbara Jane Klinger. Elmer Preston Tobias married Maud Ray Jones, daughter of George E. Jones and Jennie May Holbrook, on 10 December 1920, Grundy County, IA.⁴ Elmer Preston Tobias died on 3 December 1970, Dike, Grundy County, IA, at age 79.^5,2,6
Newspaper obituary:
ELMER P. TOBIAS
DIKE - Services for Elmer P. Tobias, 79, who died Thursday morning at his home, will be at 1:30 p. m. Monday at the Dike United Methodist Church; burial in Elmwood Cemetery; survivors include his wife, Maud; a daughter, Mrs. Elma Mae Kelley of Dike; one grandchild; and five greatgrandchildren; a brother, John of Cedar Falls; and three sisters, Mrs. Hans Kelsen of Dike, Mrs. Minnie Schultz of Rutland, British Columbia; and Mrs. Tillie Scott of Kelso, Wash; Dike Funeral Chapel in charge.
The Courier (Waterloo, Iowa), 04 Dec 1970, Fri, Page 8.⁶
He was buried on 7 December 1970, at Elmwood Cemetery, Dike, Grundy County, IA.^6,2

     Percy Isaac Lyon was born on 1 March 1875, Sumner, Bremer County, IA.^1,3 He was the son of William T. Lyon and Louise Farmer.² Percy Isaac Lyon married Cora Ellen Tobias, daughter of David Merkel Tobias and Barbara Jane Klinger, on 11 January 1909, Waterloo, Black Hawk County, IA.² Percy Isaac Lyon died on 19 April 1945, Schleswig, Crawford County, IA, at age 70.¹
Newspaper obituary:
Percy Lyon, Editor of Schleswig, la. Newspaper, Dies
Schleswig, la. -- Special: Percy Lyon, 70, editor and publisher o: the Schleswig Leader for the last 22 years, died Thursday after a brief illness. Mr. Lyon was the publisher of the Dike, la., New Era before coming to Schleswig in 1923. Born at Sumner, la., in 1875, he worked as a printer at the Gazette, Sibley, la; Crowther Printery, Waterloo, la; Knickerbocker Press, New York city, and R. R Donneley & Sons Co., Chicago, before publishing his own newspapers.
He is survived by his widow, one son, Robert B., who was associated with his father in the publishing of the Schleswig weekly; one daughter, Lila Louise, teaching in the Logan schools, and one sister, Mrs. G. A. Grow, who with her husband and daughter publish the Terril, la., Record. A private funeral will be held Saturday a the Gottburg funeral home in Schleswig at 4 p. m. Burial will be at Dike on Sunday.
Sioux City Journal (Sioux City, Iowa), 21 Apr 1945, Sat, Page 7.³
He was buried on 22 April 1945, at Elmwood Cemetery, Dike, Grundy County, IA.^1,4

     Hans Kelsen was born on 17 March 1879, Lojt Kirkeby, Schleswig, Denmark. Some sources indicate that Hans was born in Denmark; other sources suggest Germany. The region where he was born in Schleswig has at various times been part of Denmark and Germany. Since 1920, the northern part of Schleswig has been part of Denmark and the southern portion part of Germany.^1,2,3,4 He married Emma Jane Tobias, daughter of David Merkel Tobias and Barbara Jane Klinger, on 6 September 1905, Dike, Grundy County, IA.¹ Hans Kelsen died on 3 October 1958, at age 79.⁵
Newspaper obituary:
Hans Kelsen, Former Dike Mayor, Dies
DIKE -- Funeral services for former Dike mayor Hans Kelsen, who died Friday, will be tomorrow at 2 p.p. at the Dike Methodist Church.
Dahl funeral home at Cedar Falls is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Kelsen served on the Dike Consolidated school board for 13 years, and as president of the board when the school district was organized and the first building constructed.
He was mayor of the town for several years, during which the town park was established. He was also an organizer of the Dike Commercial club.
At the time of his death he was president of the Dike Danish brotherhood. He born in Denmark on Mar. 17, 1879, and came to the United States in 1894, first to Cedar Falls, and then to the farm of his uncle, Chris Maag, west of Cedar Falls.
He came to Dike in 1901, employed as a general store clerk. He later purchased the general store owned by his father-in-law, David M. Tobias and continued operation of the store until 1953.
SURVIVING ARE his wife, the former Emma Jane Tobias, whom he married in 1905, and three children, Mrs. Raymond Dalbey, Des Moines; David C. Kelsen, Waterloo, and Mrs. Edmund Jablonski, Villa Park,Ill.
The family has suggested that if friends wish, they may contribute memorial gifts to the Dike Methodist church.
The Courier (Waterloo, Iowa), 05 Oct 1958, Sun, Page 21.⁶
He was buried on 6 October 1958, at Elmwood Cemetery, Dike, Grundy County, IA.^5,6

     Johannes Schultz is also referred to as John in some sources. He was born in August 1883, Denmark.¹ He was the son of Johan Nissen Schultz and Hansine Slifegaard.¹ Johannes Schultz married Minnie Idella Tobias, daughter of David Merkel Tobias and Barbara Jane Klinger, in 1908, Iowa.^2,3 Johannes Schultz died on 29 July 1967, Alberta, Canada, at age 83.^1,4
Newspaper obituary:
SCHULTZ -- July 29, 1967, John, aged 83 years, beloved husband of Mrs. Minnie Schultz, 608 14th Ave. S.W. Services at "The Little Chapel on the Corner" (JACQUES Funeral Home) Wednesday at 2:45 p.m. Rev. Robert Simpson officiating. Interment Mountain View Memorial Gardens.
Calgary Herald (Calgary, Alberta, Canada), 01 Aug 1967, Tue, Page 28.⁴
He was buried on 2 August 1967, at Mountain View Memorial Gardens, Calgary, Calgary Census DIvision, Alberta, Canada.^1,4

     Jeppe J. Schultz was born on 3 March 1878, Denmark.^3,1 He was the son of Johan Nissen Schultz and Hansine Slifegaard.^1,2 Jeppe J. Schultz married Tillie May Tobias, daughter of David Merkel Tobias and Barbara Jane Klinger, on 8 July 1913, Waterloo, Black Hawk County, IA.¹ Jeppe J. Schultz died on 12 August 1924, Presbyterian Hospital, Waterloo, Black Hawk County, IA, at age 46.¹
Newspaper obituary:
JEPPE J. SCHUTZ.
Jeppe J. Schultz, age 46, Dike. Ia., died at 2:20 this morning at the Presbyterian hospital.
Mr. Schultz was born in Germany, March 3, 1878, coming to this country with his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Johan Schultz, in 1890 and settling in Cedar Falls. After his marriage to Miss Tillie Tobias July 8, 1913, at Waterloo, they located at Dike, Mr. Schultz holding the position as cashier of Dike Farmers' Savings bank. Prior to this he had attended a business college in Cedar Rapids, graduating 1900.
Surviving besides the widow are three brothers and two sisters: Walter and Johnnie, Strathmore, Canada; Nis J., Wayne, Alberta, Canada; Mrs. Jennie Holm, Campbell River, British Columbia, and Mrs. Thorvald Petersen, Dike.
The body is at Petersen Bros.' chapel.
The Courier (Waterloo, Iowa), 12 Aug 1924, Tue, Page 2.¹
He was buried at Elmwood Cemetery, Dike, Grundy County, IA.²

     Maud Ray Jones was born on 13 July 1893, Waverly, Bremer County, IA.¹ She was the daughter of George E. Jones and Jennie May Holbrook.^1,2 Maud Ray Jones married Elmer Preston Tobias, son of David Merkel Tobias and Barbara Jane Klinger, on 10 December 1920, Grundy County, IA.¹ Maud Ray Jones died on 24 December 1977, Americana Health Center, Waterloo, Black Hawk County, IA, at age 84.³
Newspaper obituary:
Maud Tobias
DIKE-Services for Maud Tobias, 84, who died Saturday at the Americana Health Care Center in Waterloo, were 2 p.m. Tuesday at the United Methodist Church in Dike; burial in the Elmwood Cemetery at Dike; survivors include a daughter, Elma M. Kelley of Dike; a sister, Mrs. Jessie Deadrick of Cedar Falls; a grandson: and five greatgrandchildren. A memorial fund has been established. Dike Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements where friends may call Monday afternoon and evening.
The Courier (Waterloo, Iowa), 26 Dec 1977, Mon, Page 5.³
She was buried on 27 December 1977, at Elmwood Cemetery, Dike, Grundy County, IA.^3,4

     Emma L. Aunspach was born on 20 March 1863, Pillow, Dauphin County, PA.^1,2 She was the daughter of Jonathan Aunspach and Leah Miller.¹ Emma L. Aunspach married Preston Wiest Klinger, son of David S. Klinger and Barbara Merkel Wiest.³ Emma L. Aunspach died on 19 December 1955, Mahantongo Township, Schuylkill County, PA, at age 92.⁴
Newspaper obituary:
Mrs. Emma Klinger, 92, Dies In Klingerstown
Mrs. Emma L. Klinger, 92, died Monday at 3:30 p. m. at the home her daughter, Mrs. Harry Diehl, Klingerstown, R. D. She was born in Pillow March 20, 1863, the daughter of the late Jonathan and Leah Miller Aunspach. Her husband, Preston W. Klinger, died in 1931.
Surviving are her daughter, Mrs. Diehl, with whom she had resided for the past 22 years; nine grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and six-great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p. m. Friday from the Rothermel Funeral Home, Klingerstown, R.D. Burial will be in Union Cemetery, Pillow. Rev. John Yarborough, Leck Kill, Reformed pastor will officiate.
Friends and relatives will be received at the funeral home Thursday evening.
The Daily Item (Sunbury, Pennsylvania), 20 Dec 1955, Tue, Page 22.⁵
She was buried on 23 December 1955, at Union Cemetery, Pillow, Dauphin County, PA.⁴

     Jacob Joseph Erdman is also referred to as Joseph Jacob Erdman in some sources. He was born on 2 June 1859, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.¹ He was the son of Jacob W. Erdman and Catharine Seitz. Jacob Joseph Erdman married Christiana Klinger, daughter of David S. Klinger and Barbara Merkel Wiest.² The day after Thanksgiving, 1899, most of the members of Jacob's family suddenly became ill. One paper reported:
The family of Jacob Erdman, of KilngerJacob Joseph Erdmanton, Dauphin county, with the exception of a 2-year-old child was stricken with the grippe on the day after Thanksgiving. Alfred, aged 17 years, died on Monday, and on Tuesday night the father pasted away. The mother and six children are in a critical condition.
The Gazette (York, Pennsylvania), 14 Dec 1899, Thu, Page 2. Another paper reported:
Father and Son Dead.
Thanksgiving week we mentioned that ten members of the family of Jacob Erdman of Klingerstown, this county, were sick with grip. Two physicians have been in constant attendance ever since and with all their efforts, Alfred, the 17-year old son was later buried, Tuesday evening the father, Jacob Erdman died. The mother and five of the children are still sick.
Lykens Register (Lykens, Pennsylvania), 14 Dec 1899, Thu, Page 3.
Apparenly most of the family, apart from Jacob and Alvin, eventually recovered.^3,4 He died on 11 December 1899, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA, at age 40. He died of typhoid fever, the day after his son Alvin Alfred Erdman died of the same disease. Apparently most of the other members of the family were also stricken but later recovered. Newspaper articles termed the illness to be "grip."^5,6,7,8 Some sources record that Jacob Joseph Erdman died on 12 December 1899 Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.^7,8 He was buried at Saint Michaels Lutheran Church Cemetery, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.⁷

     Ellen Augusta Miller was born on 15 January 1872, Bremer County, IA.^2,3 She was the daughter of Charles J. Miller and Elizabeth Theirer.¹ Ellen Augusta Miller married Francis Albert Klinger, son of David S. Klinger and Barbara Merkel Wiest.⁴ Ellen Augusta Miller died on 8 July 1948, Olewein, Fayette County, IA, at age 76.¹ She was buried at Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery, Fairbank, Fayette County, IA.¹

     Johanne Barbara Kelsen was born on 8 December 1906, Dike, Grundy County, IA.^1,2 She was the daughter of Hans Kelsen and Emma Jane Tobias. Johanne Barbara Kelsen married Raymond Francis Dalbey, son of Thomas Harlan Dalbey and Rose Vohaska, on 17 January 1930, What Cheer, Keokuk County, IA.³ Johanne Barbara Kelsen died on 6 February 2000, Mercy Medical Center, IA, at age 93.^4,2
Newspaper obituary:
JOHANNE DALBEY
Urbandale
Johanne Barbara Kelsen Dalbey, 93, of Karen Acres Nursing Home in Urbandale died of a respiratory ailment Sunday at Mercy Medical Center. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Rest- haven Mausoleum. Burial will be at Resthaven Cemetery.
Mrs. Dalbey was born in Dike and had lived in the Des Moines area since 1939. She was a retired schoolteacher with What Cheer public schools and a member of Plymouth Congregational Church, Frisbie Club, PEO, American Federation of University Women and University of Iowa Alumni Association. She also was a board member of Planned Parenthood and a member of Community Chest drives and the Des Moines Art Center.
She is survived by a son, Thomas Hans of West Des Moines; a daughter, Joan Eggers of Overland Park, Kan; a sister, Genevieve Jablonski of Deltona, Fla; six grandchildren; and five greatgrandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond.
Memorial contributions may be made to PEO Foundation in Des Moines. Dunn's Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
The Des Moines Register (Des Moines, Iowa), 09 Feb 2000, Wed, Page 17.²
She was buried at Resthaven Cemetery, West Des Moines, Polk County, IA.⁴

     Raymond Francis Dalbey was born on 5 January 1905, Tabor, Fremont County, IA.² He was the son of Thomas Harlan Dalbey and Rose Vohaska.¹ Raymond Francis Dalbey married Johanne Barbara Kelsen, daughter of Hans Kelsen and Emma Jane Tobias, on 17 January 1930, What Cheer, Keokuk County, IA.¹ Raymond Francis Dalbey died on 13 November 1990, at age 85.³ He was buried at Resthaven Cemetery, West Des Moines, Polk County, IA.³

     Thomas Hans Dalbey was born on 12 February 1931, Iowa City, IA.¹ He was the son of Raymond Francis Dalbey and Johanne Barbara Kelsen. Thomas Hans Dalbey died on 27 July 2005, at age 74.² He was buried at Resthaven Cemetery, West Des Moines, Polk County, IA.²

     David Christen Kelsen was born on 12 June 1910, Grundy County, IA.^1,2 He was the son of Hans Kelsen and Emma Jane Tobias. David Christen Kelsen married Dorothy Elaine Brittell, daughter of Rev. John James Brittell and Ida Christine Lindquist, on 9 June 1937, Ackley, Hardin County, IA.^3,4
Newspaper obituary:
Gunshot Wound Fatal
David Kelsen Sr. Takes Own Life
David Christian Kelsen Sr., 59, 5fl. of 122 Prosnect Ave., was found dead of a self inflicted gunshot wound in the right side of the head early Monday morning by his wife.
Kelsen's body was examined by Assistant County Medical Examiner Dr. Eugene Smith, who pronounced him dead of the wound.
The body was discovered at 7:58 a.m. in an upstairs bedroom of the home. The weapon was described by police as a .32 automatic pistol. Mrs. Kelsen told police he had been despondent due to bad health the past three months. He was in law practice wi'h Kennedy, Kepford and White, at 611 Marsh Place Bldg.
Services Pending
Funeral services are pending at Parrott and Wood funeral home for Mr. Kelsen.
Mr. Kelsen, who had practiced law here !or 30 years, was born June 12, 1910. in Dike the son of Hans and Emma Tobias Kelsen. He attended the University of Northern Iowa, the University of Iowa and was graduated from Drake College of Law.
On June 6, 1937, he married Dorothy Brittell in Ackley. He was a member of the First [ ] where he was an elder. He also belonged to he Optimist Club, the Black Hawk, Iowa, and American Bar Associations, and the Waterloo, Elks Club.
Widow, Sons Survive
Surviving include his widow; two sons, David S. of 112 Prospect Ave. and Dean B. of 511 W. 11th St; two daughters, Mrs. Johan Quam of Ames and Mrs. Dennis Nicholson of Norristown, Pa; six grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Edmund Jablonski of Villa Park, Ill., and Mrs. Raymond Dalbey of Des Moines. Also surviving is his mother, who resides in Dike.
The Courier (Waterloo, Iowa), 10 Nov 1969, Mon, Page 5.⁵
David Christen Kelsen died on 10 November 1969, at age 59.¹ He was buried at Waterloo Memorial Park Cemetery, Waterloo, Black Hawk County, IA.⁶

     Dorothy Elaine Brittell was born on 6 April 1915, Thayer, York County, Nebraska.^2,1 She was the daughter of Rev. John James Brittell and Ida Christine Lindquist.¹ Dorothy Elaine Brittell married David Christen Kelsen, son of Hans Kelsen and Emma Jane Tobias, on 9 June 1937, Ackley, Hardin County, IA.^3,4 Dorothy Elaine Brittell died on 1 November 2000, at age 85.¹
Newspaper obituary:
Dorothy Elaine Kelsen, recently of Meadow Park Health Center, Clinton, Wisconsin, formerly of Waterloo, was called home to her Redeemer s arms Wednesday, November 1, 2000, at 4:45 p.m.
She was born in Thayer, Nebraska on April 6, 1915, to Ida Christine and the Rev. John James Brittell. After graduating from Coe College, she taught the fourth and fifth grades in Dike, Iowa, where she met and married David Christian Kelsen, an attorney in Waterloo. They had four children. She was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church of Waterloo. Sewing, quilting, knitting, gardening and traveling were activities she adored, and she did these with an artistic bent.
She is survived by her son, David (Brenda) of Waterloo, and daughters Carole Fenton (Frank) of South Beloit, Illinois, and Christine Nicholson (Dennis) of Atheron, California, 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband (1969) David Christian Kelsen, and her son Dean (Donna), (1992).
A Memorial Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church at 10 am. on Saturday, November 4, 2000, in Waterloo, Iowa. Private family interment will be at Waterloo Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service on South Street.
The Courier (Waterloo, Iowa), 03 Nov 2000, Fri, Page 20.¹

     Genevieve Rosalie Kelsen was born on 3 November 1920, Iowa.^1,2 She was the daughter of Hans Kelsen and Emma Jane Tobias. Genevieve Rosalie Kelsen married Edmund Jablonski on 10 June 1944, Cook County, IL.^2,3 Genevieve Rosalie Kelsen died on 2 September 2009, Florida at age 88.² She was buried at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Sumter County, FL.²

     Edmund Jablonski was born on 8 August 1916.¹ He married Genevieve Rosalie Kelsen, daughter of Hans Kelsen and Emma Jane Tobias, on 10 June 1944, Cook County, IL.^2,3 Edmund Jablonski died on 29 July 1997, at age 80.¹ He was buried at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Sumter County, FL.¹

     Elma Mae Tobias was born on 12 August 1923.^1,2 She was the daughter of Elmer Preston Tobias and Maud Ray Jones. Elma Mae Tobias married Alfred Kelley, son of George Kelley and Louise Brook.³ A newspaper article about a fire in downtown Dike, IA, noted that Elma Kelley and her son Kurt Kelley operated the Elmer P. Tobias Insurance Agency in Dike.⁴ Elma Mae Tobias died on 3 March 1980, Sartori Memorial Hospital, Cedar Falls, Black Hawk County, IA, at age 56.^5,6 She was buried on 6 March 1980, at Elmwood Cemetery, Dike, Grundy County, IA.^5,6

     Alfred Kelley was the son of George Kelley and Louise Brook.¹ Alfred Kelley married Elma Mae Tobias, daughter of Elmer Preston Tobias and Maud Ray Jones.¹

     Carol Jo Fischer was born on 21 January 1946, Cedar Falls, Black Hawk County, IA.¹ She was the daughter of Cornelius J. Fischer and Wanda W. Waddingham.¹ Carol Jo Fischer died on 20 November 2012, Cedar Falls, Black Hawk County, IA, at age 66.¹ She was buried at Elmwood Cemetery, Dike, Grundy County, IA.¹