Home > United States of America > Iowa > Dubuque County > Cascade > Saint Martins Cemetery > Carmelita Mary Kedley Westemeier

Carmelita Mary Kedley Westemeier

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Birth	:	18 Jan 1918 Jones County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	5 Mar 1948 Maquoketa, Jackson County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Saint Martins Cemetery, Cascade, Dubuque County, USA
Coordinate	:	42.2990000, -91.0226800
Description	:	Cascade Pioneer, March 11, 1948, page 1, columns 6 – 7 & page 4, column 3 Fire Razes Home; Mother, 2 Children Die Mr. Westeheimer, Three Children Hospitalized; Response Universal For Financial Aid To Diaster Victims Grace Ann, 8, Fatally Burned Trying to Save 9 - months - old Brother Mrs. Marcellus Westemeier, age 30, 9-months-old son, Jimmy, and Grace Ann, age 8, are dead, from burns following a fire which completely destroyed their Jackson county home at Iron Hill, about 17 miles north of Maquoketa Thursday evening. The husband and father, Marcellus, age 31, Janice, six, and twin sons —... Read More	Cascade Pioneer, March 11, 1948, page 1, columns 6 – 7 & page 4, column 3 Fire Razes Home; Mother, 2 Children Die Mr. Westeheimer, Three Children Hospitalized; Response Universal For Financial Aid To Diaster Victims Grace Ann, 8, Fatally Burned Trying to Save 9 - months - old Brother Mrs. Marcellus Westemeier, age 30, 9-months-old son, Jimmy, and Grace Ann, age 8, are dead, from burns following a fire which completely destroyed their Jackson county home at Iron Hill, about 17 miles north of Maquoketa Thursday evening. The husband and father, Marcellus, age 31, Janice, six, and twin sons — Joseph and Gerald, are all hospitalized. Immediately following the fire all were taken to a Maquoketa, Iowa, hospital. The father most severely burned, was transferred Monday to University Hospital, Iowa City. At first it was feared he was blinded and would lose both hands and one limb. Latest reports are that his eyesight may not be affected, as badly as was at first feared. Should Mr. Westemeier survive, infection and time hold the key to amputation. Transfer to the Iowa City hospital Monday was made necessary because of the condition of his hands. Janice, the six year old daughter, also badly burned about the face and body, is showing marked improvement as are the twin sons, Joseph and Gerald. Relatives are caring, for the other children. It is thought the fire which completely destroyed the home was started when Mrs. Westemeier poured coal oil on a kitchen stove to hasten the evening meal and warm the room. The family had removed from the Temple Hill neighborhood to their new home only Tuesday of the same week. Grace Ann, 8 years of age, died a heroine's death when she made a valiant but futile effort to rescue her baby brother, Jimmy. Mr. Westemeier also, suffered his terrible burns when he entered the burning home to attempt the rescue of the baby and assist other members of the family to safety. Because the family had lived in the Iron Hill community for such a short time, they scarcely knew where to locate their nearest neighbor. Attempting to secure help, Mrs. Westemeier, as almost a human pyre, ran a long distance seeking help. She was so badly burned that neighbors rushed her by car to the Maquoketa hospital where she expired early Friday morning. Jackson County Sheriff Lawrence Felderman, and deputies and County Coroner John J. Tilton sped to the scene of the tragedy but the home had been completely consumed before their arrival. It was not until Saturday that the charred remains of the son, Jimmy, was found. Mrs. Westemeier, nee Carmelita Kedley was born south of Cascade, January 18, 1918, the daughter of John and Elizabeth Curtis Kedley. She graduated from St. Martin’s school here. Carmelita Kedley was united in Holy Matrimony with Marcellus Westemeier in St. Martin’s Church on November 5, 1936. Surviving her untimely demise are her husband and six children. They are: the twin sons, Gerald and Joseph; four daughters, Eileen, Peggy, Janice and Shirley. Also surviving are her mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Kedley, four brothers, Paul of Peosta, Donald, Curtis and Orland, all of Cascade; three sisters, Mrs. Nick (Melba) Bertling, Mrs. Arnold (lone) Beringer, Mrs. William (Imelda) Beringer, all of Cascade; and her grandmother, Mrs. James Curtis, of Garryowen. Funeral services were held on Monday morning for Mrs. Westemeier, Grace Ann, and Jimmy, at 9 o'clock in St. Martin's Church. Celebrant of the Requiem High Mass was Fr. William Roach, assistant pastor. Other priests present in the sacristy were the pastor, Msgr. M. J. Farrelly, Fr. H. N. Ginter of Temple Hill, and Fr. McAvoy of South Garryowen. Interment was in Calvary cemetery. Pallbearers for Mrs. Westemeier and Jimmy were: Joe McDonald, Leo Kedley, John Curtis, Alfred Smith, Duane Freeze, Herbert Kedley. Pallbearers for Grace Ann were: Jacob Manternach, Lawrence Koppes, Murland Koppes, Donald Manternach, Merlin Peiffer and Patrick Lyons. Devaney Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Carmelita Mary Kedley Westemeier's memorial?
Carmelita Mary Kedley Westemeier's memorial is located at: Saint Martins Cemetery, Cascade, Dubuque County, USA.
When did Carmelita Mary Kedley Westemeier death?
Carmelita Mary Kedley Westemeier death on 5 Mar 1948 in Maquoketa, Jackson County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Carmelita Mary Kedley Westemeier's memorial?
Latitude: 42.2990000
Longitude: -91.0226800

Family Members:

Parent

John Joseph Kedley

(1887 - 1948)

Elizabeth Genevieve Curtis Kedley

(1886 - 1967)

Spouse

Marcellus Joseph “Cell” Westemeier

(1909 - 1971)

Siblings

(unknow - unknow)

Donald J. Kedley

(1914 - 1980)

Curtis Michael Kedley

(1916 - 2001)

Melba E. Kedley Bertling

(1920 - 1980)

Orville J. Kedley

(1922 - 1946)

Orland F. Kedley

(1923 - 2004)

Ione M Kedley Beringer

(1926 - 2013)

Imelda Beringer

(1928 - 2018)

Children

Grace Ann Westemeier

(1939 - 1948)

Gerald Louis Westemeier

(1941 - 2011)

Joseph John Westemeier

(1941 - 2013)

Janice Marie Westemeier Freese

(1942 - 2016)

James Robert Westemeier

(1947 - 1948)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Saint Martins Cemetery
Cascade, Dubuque County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2990000, -91.0226800

2. Saint Mary's Cemetery
Cascade, Dubuque County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2990340, -91.0234540

3. Cascade Community Cemetery
Cascade, Dubuque County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2975200, -91.0236200

4. Zion Reformed Church Cemetery
Cascade, Dubuque County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3465000, -91.0813000

5. Bowens Prairie Cemetery
Jones County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2821999, -91.1153030

6. Hutton Cemetery
Anamosa, Jones County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2294920, -90.9663420

7. Saint Peters Cemetery
Temple Hill, Jones County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2245500, -90.9754100

8. Johns Creek Cemetery
Farley, Dubuque County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3819008, -91.0338974

9. East Monticello Cemetery
East Monticello, Jones County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2597200, -91.1610000

10. Sand Springs Cemetery
Delaware County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3191986, -91.1706009

11. Mount Pleasant Cemetery
Hopkinton, Delaware County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3618000, -91.1478000

12. Saint Johns Cemetery
Pleasant Grove, Dubuque County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3888926, -90.9268006

13. Sacred Heart Cemetery
Fillmore, Dubuque County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3342000, -90.8715000

14. Saint Paul Cemetery
Worthington, Dubuque County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3931007, -91.1260986

15. Saint John's Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery
Monticello, Jones County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2079200, -91.1420500

16. Saint Patricks Cemetery
Garry Owen, Jackson County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2882996, -90.8482971

17. Sacred Heart Cemetery
Monticello, Jones County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2606010, -91.1905975

18. Clay Cemetery
Onslow, Jones County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1721992, -90.9800034

19. Oakwood Cemetery
Monticello, Jones County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2322006, -91.1761017

20. Fairview Cemetery
Farley, Dubuque County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4339981, -91.0139999

21. Scotch Grove Cemetery
Jones County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1657982, -91.0635986

22. Worthington Baptist Cemetery
Worthington, Dubuque County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4119360, -91.1324930

23. Chestnut Street Cemetery
Monticello, Jones County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2382940, -91.1924700

24. Grand Street Cemetery
Monticello, Jones County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2369690, -91.1922590