BIOGRAPHY provided by Ellen Sorenson
on January 8, 2014:
Katherine was the fourth of 7 children born to Christian L and Angeline (Hansen) Schmitt. She married Wilhelm Hubert Weibeler on May 5, 1873 at Jessenland Church in Jessenland (Sibley), MN. Together they had 11 children: Gerhard Hubert 'Jerry', Anna Maria 'Mayme', John Hubert, Frank Hubert, Peter Hubert, Katherine 'Kate', William Mathias, Clara Margaret, Mary Angela, John Robert, and Christian Joseph.

OBITUARY provided by Ellen Sorenson
on January 8, 2014:
Mrs. William H. Weibeler Is Dead

End Is Sudden - When Hopes For Recovery Are Strongest, Death Ends the Long Trail. Funeral Is a Most Remarkable Spectacle. Friends Assemble From Far and Near and Funeral is Large Beyond Comparison

Mrs. William Weibeler died on Saturday noon, Nov. 2nd, 1907.
Seldom has a death in the community aroused such a universal concern. Through a long and lingering illness, the family and friends were somewhat prepared for this end, yet hope for recovery had never ceased and the shock of death was keenly felt by the sorrowing family and wide circle of friends.
She was the daughter of the late Christian Schmitt and was born in Doerbach, Germany, June 6, 1852. She came with her parents to this country in 1867, and after staying for a short while in Chicago, came to Belle Plaine in the same year.
In 1873 she was married to William H. Weibeler. Eleven children were born to them, of whom ten are living; namely, Gerhard H., Miss Mayme, Frank, Peter, Miss Katherine, William, Miss Clara, Miss Angela, John and Christian. Besides her husband and children, she is survived by one sister, Mrs. S. Bowler, of Denver, Colo., and two brothers, Jacob and Matt Schmitt of Belle Plaine.
The floral offerings were the largest and most beautiful ever seen here. Various local societies, businessmen's organizations and private individuals presented a wealth of flowers.
During the funeral which was held on Wednesday morning, all places of business and the public school was closed. The funeral was the largest that has ever been witnessed in Belle Plaine. St. Peter and Paul's church was crowded as it has never been, and the occasion of the burial of this most esteemed woman brought so many here from abroad that the number of visitors, it would seem, was the greatest that had ever gathered here. The widespread interest and sympathy expressed in the death of Mrs. Weibeler by this great concourse of people represents the degree in which she was beloved and to which the knowledge of her beautiful personality had spread.
A solemn requiem mass was celebrated with Father Raymond as the celebrant. Father Guido, O. F. M., of Chaska; Father Rufinius, O. F. M., of Waconia; Father Suitbertus, O. F. M. of St. Benedict; and Father Herbert O. F. M., of Union Hill, occupied places in the sanctuary. Father Raymond preached the funeral sermon.
Among the many who came to the funeral were Mrs. S. Bowler, of Denver, Col., Mr. and Mrs. H. Theviot, of Brainerd; Mr. and Mrs. Gerhard Hilgers, of Minneapolis; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Nicolin, Mrs. John Bailey and Joe Schmitt of St. Paul; Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Gericke, of Lake Mills, Wis; Peter and Matt Monzel, of Webster, S. D. The number from the neighboring places of Jordan, Shakopee, Henderson, LeSueur, Green Isle, Norwood and numerous other adjoining localities was very large.
~ published in the Belle Plaine Herald on November 11, 1907