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- "Two years after moving to a farm just east of her parents (in 1909), Ida was killed by lightning as she was upstairs tucking her three small children into an iron bed.
"Came with parents to the U.S. in 1883."
"I remember two things about my Mother. We used to have a well that was right outside the kitchen door that used to have a platform around it. I remember sitting on the platform washing radishes from the garden. She used to tell me what a good girl I was. I remember another incident when it was Easter time. My mother's sister who lived in Oklahoma always used to send me a card for birthday or Easter or Christmas. I still have that Easter card in my little trunk upstairs. I can remember standing with my Mother out there waiting for the mailman and that was when the card came. And I can remember the night when she was killed. I remember My dad putting the three of us, he had to go to the neighbor about a quarter of a mile away to telephone because our telephone was out. When going up there in this storm he put the three of us in a big chair and threw a quilt over the three of us so that we couldn't see the lighting or hear anything until he got back. TThen he took us up to this neightbor to spend the night and the next day they took us over to Grandma's and as we went by our place I can still see this woman out of the backdoor throwing the dishwater out the back porch. I can remember crying at the funeral, why they were putting her there. I can remember somebody taking me away. All three of us kids were in one bed upstairs in the one bedroom and Dad and Mom slept in the other bed. It was a slanting roof and there was a window under there and the glass had been knocked out of it and Dad had gone up to put a board or something in that and when he was up there we three kids were in bed. When he came up to do that, Mother came and brought the light up and she set it on the dresser and she turned to leave and when she turned it was when the lightning struck. She was killed instantly. Dad always said that he had his pipe in his mouth and it was blown out and the top of his hair never came back. "
From St. Cloud Times (Saint Cloud, Minnesota) 08 Apr 1938, Fri:
"40-25 Years Ago in St. Cloud, as taken from the files of The Daily Times in its early career as a daily newspaper…
Miss Ida Leubecher of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is visiting in this city, the guest of her sister, Mrs. John Hommes."
Max Miller and Ida Leubecher were married at Mrs. Leubecher’s farm.
Ida's original tombstone read "God's finger touched me and I slept." It was about 1 or 1 and 1/2 feet tall, a little spire, sitting on a 12" square base. It was put up by Augusta Leubecher since Max didn't get around to putting up a headstone. Cliff, after Max's death, removed the original tombstone and installed a contemporary stone (without any discussion with Hazel or Elsie).
From the Daily Argus Leader, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Tuesday, August 3, 1909:
“Killed By Lighning
“Mrs. Max Miller, Who Lived Near Schindler, Killed by Lightning Bolt Monday Evening
“Husband and Three Children, Who Were in the House at the Time, Escaped Injury
“About 9:30 Monday evening Mrs. Max Miller, who lived with her husband on a farm one mile from Schindler, was struck by a bolt of lightning and instantly killed. Deceased was 37 years of age, and was born Miss Ida Leubecher, and was well-known in Sioux Falls, the Leubecher family having spent the last 30 years in Minnehaha County.
“It was during the same storm that passed over Sioux Falls Monday evening that the accident took place. Mr. and Mrs. Miller and three children were all in the house. Mrs. Miller had put the three children to bed and she was about ready to retire. Mrs. Miller stood near the chimney with her back to the chimney. Mr. Miller was sitting on the other side of the room near the telephone. A sharp flash of lightning came, filling the room with a bluish blaze. Mrs. Miller fell to the floor. Mr. Miller, who was for a few minutes dazed by a light shock which came in over the telephone wire, finally went to his wife and found her unconscious as he supposed. He immediately called for medical aid. Dr. W. F. Keller of this city, was summoned, and in company with N. E. Stringham he drove to the Miller home as rapidly as possible.
“It was about 11:30 when Dr. Keller and Mr. Stringham arrived at the Miller home. Dr. Keller at once made an examination. He found the unfortunate woman stiff in death which convinced him that she was killed instantly. An investigation revealed that Mrs. Miller had been struck by the bolt in the back of the head. The lightning then ran down and around the neck and across the breast, burning the flesh severely.
“Miss Gussie Leubecher, stenographer at the Sioux Falls National bank is a sister of the dead woman. She knew nothing of the accident until this morning, when she was informed of the untimely death of her sister, and she at once left for the Miller home.”
From the “Shindlar Department” column in The Harrisburg Journal, Friday, August 6:
“Killed By Lightning:
“The sad news reached this city early Tuesday morning that Mrs. Max Miller of Springdale was killed by lightning on Monday night while retiring to rest. She had just put the children to bed when the lightning struck the chimney and ran down hitting her in the neck killing her almost instantly. Dr. Steenson was called and hurried to the scene of the sad calamity but life was extinct. Mr. Miller was also hit but not fatally. Mrs. Miller was formerly Miss Ada [sic] Leubecher and the many friends of the family extend sympathy in their sorrow.”
From the “Shindlar Department-Shindlar News” column of The Harrisburg Journal, Friday, August 13, 1909:
“The funeral of Mrs. Max Miller was held last week Thursday P.M. A short service was held at the residence, and the regular church service at the Lutheran church in Sioux Falls, of which she was a faithful member. Mrs. Miller leaves a heartbroken husband, three children, both parents, three sisters and a brother to mourn her loss. She will be greatly missed at the Shindlar Union S.S. as she was one of those broad minded christians who, laying creed aside, can worship where ever oppoortunity offers. She was a dutiful daughter, a faithful wife, a loving and indulgent mother, a loving sister and a good neighbor. Her many friends will long remember her pure christian life. The floral offerings were many and beautiful showing the high esteem in which she was held.”,
Funeral announcement:
From Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) 4 Aug 1909, Wed.
"The funeral of Mrs. Max Miller, formerly Ida Leubecher, will take place at the country home at one o'clock, and at the German Lutheran church, Fourteenth Street and Spring Avenue, Thursday, Aug. t."
From the Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) 6 Aug 1909, Fri:
"CARD OF THANKS
We, the undersigned, wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the friends and neighbors who came to our aid with acts of kindness and words of comfort during our recent bereavement. We also wish to extend thanks to those neighbors and friends who sent floral offerings.
-Max Miller,
-Mr. and Mrs. George Leubecher and family,
-Mrs. Augusta Miller and family."
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Connected Bloodlines
1872 - 1909 (37 years)
