“Anna Barbara Sheets relict of the late George Schaefer was born at Warzfelden Bavaria Germany September 30th 1837 and emigrated to this country in 1854 with her parents. In 1857 she was united in marriage to George Schaefer and from this union five children were born of these[.] George J. of this city. Mrs.[Barbara Ann] Henry C [Christ] Reisig of Port Huron, and Mrs. George R. Stadler of Maybee survive. Besides her children she leaves two sisters Mrs. J.C. W. Greening and Mrs. Barbara Grassley of Monroe. The deceased was dearly beloved by the inmates of the Altenheim where she had acted as matron for the past six years and the dear old people whose lot in life had not been of the pleasantest were cheered and made to feel happy by here cheery words of comfort. The deceased was a life long member of Trinity Lutheran church and funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon from the home of her son George J. of this city, rev. Frinke officiating. Mrs. Schaefer suffered with pneumonia and dropsy and the end came Sunday at noon. Mrs. Schaefer was one of these kin only German ladies that came to Monroe many years ago and made a host of friends who mourn with her children at her death.”

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Monroe Democrat [March 26 1909]

Mrs. Anna [Barbara SCHUETZ]Schaefer “Mrs. Anna Barbara Schaefer, widow of the late George J. Schaefer, passed into rest at the home of her son George in this city, on Sunday. She had been ill for only four weeks with dropsy of the heart. Mrs. Schaefer, who was born on September 30, 1837, in Warzfelden, Bavaria, belonged to one of the best German families that ever came to Monroe and moved here in 1854 with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Schuetz . Three years later she was married to Mr. Schaefer, who she has survived for ten years. Of their five children three are living, George of Monroe, and two daughters, Mrs. Henry Reisig, of Port Huron, and Mrs. George A. Stadler, of Maybee [Monroe County, Michigan]. There are also two sisters, Mrs. John Greening and Mrs. Lawrence Grassley, of this city, and eleven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. In 1903 Mrs. Schaefer accepted the position of Matron of the Altenheim and performed the duties of that office in the most faithful manner until her last sickness. She was a character always to be depended upon, true to her church, her family, her friends and her work and surely belongs among those to whom it will be said “Enter Thou Onto the Right Hand.” Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Frincke from the home of Geo. J. Schaefer, on Seventh street on Wednesday afternoon, while prayers and services were also held at Trinity Lutheran church, of which the deceased had been a member since its organization.”

Submitted by Darlene Hiatt