St. Joseph Cemetery, Omaha, Nebraska

St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery

Southwest of Pierce, Pierce County, Nebraska

On December 13, 2002, Bruce and I visited the St. Joseph's Cemetery near the town of Pierce in Pierce County, Nebraska. Following are photographs of several of the tombstones in this cemetery. If you have additional information on these famililes please contact me:

St. Joseph's Cemetery Entrance St. Joseph's Cemetery
Pierce, Pierce County, Nebraska

Florian and Johanna WIDHALM FUCHS Family

The following individual stones are in the order that they appear in the the above photograph from left to right. The two large flat stones behind and to the left of the large stone cross are those of Michael and Elizabeth FUCHS.

Cecilia FUCHS CLARK
Nov 19, 1912 - Feb 1, 1990
Daughter of Florian FUCHS
and Johanna nee WIDHALM
John V. FUCHS
July 8, 1896 - March 3, 1946
Son of Florian FUCHS
and Johanna nee WIDHALM
Arlyn James RONSPIES
Feb 16, 1937, Mar 2
Marcia Rose FRICKE
Nov 22, 1933
Frank FUCHS
Florian FUCHS
Mother
Johanna FUCHS
(nee WIDHALM)
1868 - 1949
Father
Florian FUCHS
1870 - 1928
Florian FUCHS was a son of John and Anna POMMASL FUCHS. He was born 26 Apr 1870 in Ullerichs, near KirchbergWalde, Lower Austria. On 29 Feb 1892 Florian married Johanna WIDHALM (also spelled WITHALM), daughter of Leonard and Anna PFEIFER WIDHALM/WITHALM. Johanna was born in Schwarza, Lower Austria. Johanna's maternal grandparents were Michael and Anna ABLIEDINGER PFEIFER. Anna immigrated to the U.S. after her husband's death and lived around Humphrey in Platte County. She is buried at St. Francis Cemetery in Humphrey.

I currently do not have a connection to this family. In the following biography it is stated that "...Mr. Fuchs came to Pierce county from Lower Austria in 1887. On reaching Nebraska he visited for a few days near Humphrey with the brother of a fellow voyager, and incidentally met his future wife during this visit. He found work on the farm of his uncle, Charles Hoffman, senior, near Pierce...." I am not sure how the relationship between Florian FUCHS and Charles HOFFMANN fits. Charles HOFFMANN is my second cousin three removed; he was a son of Kaspar and Johanna WIESER HOFFMANN. The WIESERs connect to "my" PFEIFER family, who coincidentally were from Schwarza, Austria.

I would appreciate any information that would help sort this all out... :)

Biography of Florian FUCHS:
213-214 COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.

Michael August FUCHS
Sept 14, 1904 - Sept 19, 1968
Elizabeth H. FUCHS
nee BRUCKNER
Dec 22, 1912 - April 19, 1997
Michael FUCHS was a son of Florian and Johanna WIDHALM FUCHS. He was a grandson of Anna PFEIFER WIDHALM, whose tombstone photo is at the bottom of this page. According to the FUCHS biography in the St. Francis of Assisi (Humphrey, Nebraska) centennial book, Michael married Elizabeth Helen BRUCKNER on 13 Jan 1931 at St. Bernard, Nebraska. Elizabeth was a daughter of John and Mary WEGENER BRUCKNER.

Edward and Ione German
Ione GERMAN
nee _________
Nov 16, 1902 - Apr 9, 1998
Edward F. GERMAN
June 17, 1895 - Sept 19, 1985
Edward has a second marker
Edward F. GERMAN
Cpl US Army
World War I
Jun 17, 1895 - Sep 19, 1985
Co K 355th Inf 89th Div
Edward F. German
From Who's Who in Nebraska, 1940
GERMAN, EDWARD F: Merchant; b Peoria, Ill June 17, 1895; s of Max P German-Mary Ann Coyle; ed Humphrey HS; m Iona Grunke June 18. 1923 Osmond; s Robert E; 1913-15 farmed, Pierce Co; 1916-17 with Kewanee Boiler Works, Kewanee Ill; 1921-30 clk, Eirenberg Store, Osmond; 1931- mgr Eirenberg Store, Pierce; mbr health coun; past mbr Osmond vol fire dept 10 years; during World War, June 4, 1918-June 1919 with US army 89th div, 355th inf, O/S 1 year; chmn trade extn Pierce Comml Club; COF, past chief ranger; St. Joseph's Cath Ch, mbr advisory bd; hobbies, golf, fishing, travel; res Pierce.

Robert and Lorraine German
Lorraine M. GERMAN
nee _________
Robert E. GERMAN
Nov 4, 1924 - Feb 3, 2000
Robert has a second marker
Robert E. GERMAN
Lt Col US Air Force
WW II  Korea  Vietnam
Nov 4, 1924 - Feb 3, 2000
Robert E. German

Catherine Hahn and Cornelius Hahn
Sister
Catherine M. HAHN
1903 - 1995
Brother
Cornelius J. HAHN
1912 - 1989
Dates from online Social Security Death Index http://ssdi.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi
CATHERINE M HAHN, born 16 Feb 1903, died 02 May 1995, last residence 68767 (Pierce, Pierce, NE), last benefit (none specified), SSN 539-18-2303, issued Washington

Gregory Hahn
Gregory HAHN
1914 - 2001
Anne HAHN
Dates from online Social Security Death Index http://ssdi.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi :
GREGORY W HAHN, born 09 May 1914, died 17 Oct 2001 (V), last residence 68767 (Pierce, Pierce, NE), last benefit (none specified), SSN 508-38-6659, issued Nebraska

Margareta G. HAHN
1842 - 1920
Nicklaus HAHN
1907 - 1910

Catherine HAHN
1941
Joseph J. HAHN
Mar 31, 1984
In the 1910 and 1920 U.S. Nebraska censuses for Pierce County there is a Margaretta/Margaretha HAHN enumerated with Frank and Mary HOFFMANN. Margaretha's relationship to the head of household is given as mother-in-law. Her birth year calculates to about 1842. I am making an educated guess that the above stone for Margareta HAHN is for Frank HOFFMANN's mother-in-law. I believe she is also the mother of Franciska (Frances) HAHN who married Charles HOFFMANN.

I do not know the relationship of Nicklaus, Catherine or Joseph HAHN to each other or to Margareta.

Infants of F and A Weber, W and M Fehringer, A and J Hoffmann Infants of
F & A WEBER
W & M FEHRINGER
A & J HOFFMANN
I believe these infants are all grandchildren of Charles and Franciska HAHN HOFFMANN. This stone is in a grouping that includes Charles and Franciska's. Their daughter Agatha (or Augusta) married a WEBER; daughter Matilda Julia married Joseph William FEHRINGER; there was a son Andrew, but I don't know if he is the "A" in the A & J HOFFMANN reference.

Agnes V. Hoffmann Agnes V. HOFFMANN
Jan 21, 1898 - Jan 9, 1980
Agnes was a daughter of Charles and Franciska HAHN HOFFMANN. She is Marge's third cousin twice removed.

Alois and Evelyn Hoffmann
Alois J. HOFFMANN
1911 - 1961
Evelyn M. HOFFMANN
nee _________
Alois was a son of Julius and Anna POLT HOFFMANN. He is Marge's fourth cousin once removed.

Charles Hoffmann Franciska Hoffmann
Charles HOFFMANN
Jan 17, 1865 - Feb 24, 1961
Franziska HOFFMANN
nee HAHN
Dec 19, 1869 - Mar 25 1935
Charles was a son of Kaspar and Johanna WIESER HOFFMANN. Charles married Franciska (Frances) HAHN on 28 Dec 1890. Franciska was a daughter of Joseph and Margareta HAHN. Charles and Franciska were the parents of at least eleven children. Charles is Marge's second cousin three removed.

Frank Hoffmann Family
Albert Hoffmann Zita Meuer Hoffmann
Albert HOFFMANN
1917 - 1986
Zita Meuer HOFFMANN
Feb 7, 1913 - Aug 1987
Regina Hoffmann Cecilia Hoffmann
Regina HOFFMANN
1911 -
Cecilia HOFFMANN
1910 - 1973
All four of these individuals were children of Frank and Mary HAHN HOFFMANN. Frank was a son of Sylvester and Margaretha HOFFMANN. I found Zita in the Rootsweb Social Security Death Index list as Zita MEUER; her SSN was 572-42-4111, issued in California.

The 1910 Nebraska census for Pierce County shows that Frank HOFFMANN was born about 1885, as was his wife Mary. Frank and Mary were married for four year at the time of this census. Their son Joseph was 1 year old. Also enumerated with Frank was his mother-in-law, Margaretta HAHN, age 66, born in Germany.

The 1920 census lists the following children with Frank and Mary: Joseph, age 10; Cecilia, age 9; Regina, age 8; Zitha, age 7; Maria, age 5; Frank, age 4; and Albert, age 2. Frank's mother-in-law was also enumerated with him: Margaretha HAHN, age 78, born in Bavaria.

Gregory and Nancy Hoffmann
Nancy A. HOFFMANN
nee ___________
Gregory J. HOFFMANN
Mar 25, 1919 - June 19, 1993
Gregory J. HOFFMANN was a son of Julius and Anna POLT HOFFMANN. Gregory is Marge's fourth cousin once removed; he connects through the PFEIFER line.

Julius and Anna, Eugene, Johanna Hoffmann Group
Julius J. HOFFMANN
Anna POLT HOFFMANN
Eugene HOFFMANN Johanna HOFFMANN
Group picture of the stones of Julius and Anna POLT HOFFMANN, Eugene HOFFMANN and Johanna HOFFMANN. Photos of the individual stones are below.

Eugene Hoffmann Eugene HOFFMANN
May 22 1942 - Nov 1942
Eugene John HOFFMANN was a son of Frederick and Rose THOMAS HOFFMANN; a grandson of Julius and Anna POLT HOFFMANN. Both of Eugene's parents are related to Marge: Frederick is a fourth cousin once removed, connected through the PFEIFER line; Rose nee THOMAS is Marge's Grandaunt, a sister of Marge's Grandfather Adolph THOMAS.

Johanna HOFFMANN
May 3, 1913 - Mar 4, 1915
I do not have any additional information about Johanna. If you know who her parents are please e-mail me.

Julius and Anna Hoffmann
Julius J. HOFFMANN
Apr 12, 1885 - Dec 17, 1974
Anna M. HOFFMANN
nee POLT
July 17, 1886 - Mar 27, 1974
Julius J. HOFFMANN was a son of Vincent and Wenceslaus (Mary) BURKHARDT HOFFMANN. Julius married Anna POLT on 28 May 1907. They were the parents of: Frederick, Alois, Amelia, Agnes, Josephine, Julius, Gregory and Clem. Julius is Marge's third cousin twice removed; he connects through the PFEIFER line.

Joseph Hoffmann Maria Theresa Hoffmann
Joseph Patrick HOFFMANN
March 15, 1881 - April 27, 1967
Maria Theresa HOFFMANN
nee ZACH
Aug 3, 1880 - June 5, 1953
Aloysious F. Hoffmann Aloysious F. HOFFMANN
Nov 17, 1905 - Dec 27, 1905
Joseph HOFFMANN was a son of Vincent and Wenceslaus (Mary) BURKHARDT HOFFMANN. He married Mary Theresa Frances ZACH on 10 Feb 1903 at St. Francis Church in Humphrey, Platte County, Nebraska. Mary Theresa was a daughter of Frank and Adalbertta (Bertha) ZIMMERMAN ZACH. Both Joseph and Mary Theresa are related to Marge: Joseph is a third cousin twice removed, connecting through the PFEIFER line; Mary Theresa is a first cousin twice removed, Mary Theresa's father Frank was a brother of Marge's Great Grandfather Ignatz ZACH.

I do not know the relationship between Aloysious HOFFMANN and Joseph and Mary Theresa HOFFMANN. If you have additional information about Aloysious please e-mail me.

Kaspar and Johanna Hoffmann
Kaspar Hoffmann Johanna Hoffmann
Kaspar HOFFMANN
Dec 19, 1819 - Dec 27, 1908
Johanna HOFFMANN
nee WIESER
May 21, 1820 - Jan 7, 1904
Johanna WIESER HOFFMANN was a daughter of Mathias and Johanna PFEIFER WIESER of Kurzschwarza, Austria. Johanna married Kaspar (aka Carl) HOFFMANN around 1847 in Austria. In the early 1870's they immigrated with their four children, Vincent, Sylvester, Julia and Charles to Madison, Wisconsin. They later homesteaded in Pierce County, Nebraska. Johanna is Marge's first cousin four removed.

Johanna and Kaspar's sons, Vincent, Sylvester and Charles are all buried here in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Their daughter Julia married a William HUTFLESS and lived in/near Plainview, Pierce County, Nebraska. I do not have Julia or William's date of death or know where they are buried. I found William and Julia in the 1900 and 1910 Nebraska censuses for Pierce County. Information from these censuses indicates they were married about 1887, they had three children, Rosa (born Jun 1888), Johanna (born Mar 1890) and William (born Apr 1899).

Raymond C. Hoffmann Raymond C. HOFFMANN
Pvt U.S. Army
World War II
Feb 2, 1907 - Jan 7, 1981
Raymond was a son of Charles and Franciska HAHN HOFFMANN. He is Marge's third cousin twice removed.

Sylvester Hoffmann Sylvester HOFFMANN
Dec 19, 1904 - Jun 5, 1976
Sylvester was a son of Charles and Franciska HAHN HOFFMANN. He is Marge's third cousin twice removed.

Marie, Sylvester and Margaretha Hoffmann Group

Markers from left to right:
Marie HOFFMANN, Margaretha HOFFMANN, Sylvester HOFFMANN
Marie Hoffmann Marie HOFFMANN
1914 - 1937
Margaretha Hoffmann Sylvester Hoffmann
ZUM CHRISTLICHEN ANDENKEN
Margaretha HOFFMANN
GEBOREN ZU HASLAU BEI
RONSPERK, OESTEREICH
AM 26 Dezember 1855
GESTORBEN ZU PIERCE, NEB.
AM 1 October 1900
WOKLVERSEHEN MIT DEN
HL STERBESAKRAMENTEN
HIER RUHET IN FRIEDEN
Sylvester HOFFMANN
GEBOREN ZU PURBACH, NIEDER-
OESTEREICH
AM 26 Dezember 1852
GESTORBEN ZU
PIERCE, PIERCE CO., NEB.
AM 26 Dezember 1898
Silvester HOFFMANN was one of four children of Kaspar and Johanna WIESER HOFFMANN. They had one son, Frank, who married Mary HAHN. One of the children enumerated with Frank and Mary in the Nebraska 1920 census for Pierce County was Maria, age 5 (born about 1915). It is possible the stone for Mary HOFFMANN (above) is for this child of Frank and Mary -- I have nothing to confirm that at this point. Another group of stones above is for four other children of Frank and Mary: Albert, Zita, Cecilia and Regina.

I do not have much information about Silvester or his wife Margaretha. Based on the dates on these markers, Silvester was only 46 years old when he died in 1898 and Margaretha died two years later at the age of 45. Their son Frank would have been about 15 years old when Margaretha died.

The entry for Silvester's brother Charles in the 1900 Nebraska census for Pierce County included a sister-in-law Margaret:

    Margaret Hoffmann, sister-in-law (of Charles Hoffmann), born July 1860, age 39, widowed, mother of one child, one child living, born in Bohemia, parents same, immigrated 1883

The date of birth for this Margaret does not match the one on the tombstone, but that's not unusual when researching families. I have not found who Frank was enumerated with as yet.

Frances M. Larson Frances M. LARSON
1st Lt. U.S. Army
World War II
Feb 23, 1909 - Apr 16, 1992
Charles and Franciska HAHN HOFFMANN had a daughter Franciska, aka Frances, who was born about 1909 based on age given in the the census records. In a 1934 the Pierce County Leader printed a collection of stories during the Pierce County Fair which contained a story of the HOFFMANN family. The children of Charles and Franciska were named, one of them being "Frances, who is a registered nurse at Norfolk, Nebraska."

I have no information to indicate that this is the gravemarker of Frances HOFFMANN. Based on the information above it is a possibility, but it warrents additional research.

Eugene and Mary Martischang
Joseph MARTISCHANG
1904 - 1986
Mary MARTISCHANG
(nee HOFFMANN)
1881 - 1974
Eugene MARTISCHANG
1869 - 1962
The 1910 U.S. Nebraska Census for Pierce County has an entry for the Eugene and Mary MARTISCHANG family. This entry lists four children for Eugene and Mary: Frank (born abt 1902), Joseph (born about 1904), John (born about 1905) and Mary (born about 1909). Mary, the mother, was Mary HOFFMANN, daughter of Vincent and Wenceslaus (Mary) BURKHARDT HOFFMANN. Mary is Marge's third cousin twice removed.

John, Frances and Norbert Martischang
Frances MARTISCHANG
nee _________
1905 - 1974
John MARTISCHANG
1905 - 1963
Norbert MARTISCHANG
1931 - 1950
Norbert Martischang Norbert has a second stone
Norbert L. MARTISCHANG
Nebraska
Pvt 3345 AF Air Instl Sq
July 28, 1931 - Nov 11, 1950
The 1910 U.S. Nebraska Census for Pierce County has an entry for the Eugene and Mary MARTISCHANG family. This entry lists four children for Eugene and Mary: Frank (born abt 1902), Joseph (born about 1904), John (born about 1905) and Mary (born about 1909). Mary, the mother, was Mary HOFFMANN, daughter of Vincent and Wenceslaus (Mary) BURKHARDT HOFFMANN.

Based on the age of Eugene and Mary's son John and the date on the above tombstone, it is possible this stone is his. Please e-mail me if you can provide additional information about the MARTISCHANG family.

Michael J. Martischang Elizabeth Martischang Pfeifer
Michael J. MARTISCHANG
1879 - 1917
Elizabeth MARTISCHANG PFEIFER
1892 - 1987
1910 U.S. census, Nebraska, Pierce, Cleveland Precinct, ED 166, Sheet 2, 21-22 April 1910
Dwelling 33, family 33
Martischang, Michael J., head, age 29, single, born Iowa, parents born France German, farmer, farm
Martischang, Emma, sister, age 30, single, born Indiana, parents born France German, housekeeper, farm home

Lawrence and Rosella Martischang
Lawrence MARTISCHANG
1910 - 1997
Rosella MARTISCHANG
1916 - 1957

Rev.Albert Polt Rev. Albert POLT, O.A.R.
Ordained May 29, 1954
Mar 16, 1927 - Dec 29, 2001
Interred
San Fernando Mission Cem.

Lori L. Polt Lori L. POLT
Apr 1, 1960 - Nov 19, 1991



TOMEK Family Group

Rose TOMEK's stone is just to the left of Marie's stone. The younger Anton's stone is to the right of the large TOMEK monument.

Pvt. Anton A. TOMEK
Aug 8, 1894 - Aug 6, 1918

Rose E. TOMEK
1896 - 1967

Marie TOMEK
July 2, 1856 - Sept 29, 1929

Anton TOMEK, Sr.
June 4, 1860 - June 18, 1928
See 1928 Pierce County Obituaries and 1929 Pierce County Obituaries

Joseph and Mary TOMEK
Joseph TOMEK
1886 - 1950
Mary TOMEK
1888 - 1919

Anna WIDHALM
nee PFEIFER
19 July 1848 - 20 November 1900
Anna WIDHALM, nee PFEIFER, was a daughter of Michael and Anna ABLIEDINGER PFEIFER. She was born in Schwarza, Lower Austria. Anna married Leonard WIDHALM (sometimes spelled WITHALM) on 20 Aug 1867 in Schwarza, Austria. According to the WIDHALM biographies in the St. Francis Assisi (Humphrey, Nebraska) centennial book, Leonard and Anna were the parents of six children: Johanne (Johanna), Cecilia, Sophia, Maria, Michael and John Gerard. I did not find a tombstone for Leonard.

Anna PFEIFER WIDHALM was my first cousin 3 removed.  Her father Michael was a brother of my great great grandmother Anna Maria PFEIFFER \ PFEIFER, who married Ignatz ZACH.

Anna Wife of
M J WIDHALM
nee VYHLIDAL
Aug 29, 1882 - July 5, 1920
Anna was the wife of Michael WIDHALM.  Michael was a son of Leonard WIDHALM and Anna nee PFEIFFER \ PFEIFER.  Michale and Anna were married 22 Apr 1901 in Pierce County, Nebraska.  Michael was my second cousin twice removed through the PFEIFFER family.

See 1920 Pierce County Obituaries

Mother
Johanna ZACH
nee HOFFMANN
Sep 25, 1890 - 1946
Ignats ZACH
Aug 2, 1885 - Apr 1, 1957
Ignatz and Johanna HOFFMANN ZACH. Ignatz was a son of Ignatz and Anna Mary BRAUN ZACH and was a brother of Marge's Grandmother, Julia Mary ZACH THOMAS. Johanna nee HOFFMANN was a daughter of Vincent and Wenceslaus (Mary) BURKHARDT HOFFMANN; she is Marge's third cousin twice removed. Ignatz and Johanna were married 18 Oct 1910 in Pierce, Pierce County, Nebraska.

Infant Children Of
Ignatz and Johanna ZACH
Leonard
1932

Walburga
1918

Theresa
1930
Lucilla
1916

Raymond ZACH
Cpl US Army - Korea
Feb 26, 1926 - Dec 29, 1995
Raymond ZACH was a son of Ignatz and Johanna HOFFMANN ZACH. Both of Raymond's parents are related to Marge: Ignatz is her Granduncle, a brother of Marge's Grandmother Julia ZACH THOMAS; Johanna nee HOFFMANN is Marge's third cousin twice removed, connecting through the PFEIFER line.

   

Other Cemetries

Created December 2002

Pictures taken by Marge GALUS SANDLIER
December 13, 2002 ~ Updated February 12, 2011

Graphics by Marge