Johanna Fredericks Dierks was born in Oldenburg in Java, Germany, January 21, 1857, and died at her home 10 miles southwest of Doniphan, Neb., August 30, 1918, at 6:45 p.m. With her parents she came to the United States and settled at Peoria, Illinois, in 1870. She was united in marriage to Henry Flyr in Peoria, Ill., on February 12, 1875 and for ten years they made their home in Woodford county, Illinois. They moved to what is known as "Old Island" one mile east of Hastings in 1885. The following year they moved to the site of their present home and for the past thirty-two years have been old land marks of their community.

To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Flyr were born fourteen children, six of whom died while yet small. Eight remain with the two sisters of Mrs. Flyr to mourn her loss and revere her memory. The surviving children are: Will Flyr of Long Pine, Mrs. Christian Darling of Hastings, Mary Flyr, Ben Flyr and Katherine Oliphant of Doniphan, Harm Flyr of Juanita., Mrs. Ola Smeaton of Oshkosh and Walter Flyr of Doniphan. All were present with their mother when she passed away. There are twenty living grandchildren.

Her two sisters, Marie Hopp, of Chatsworth, Ill., and Mrs. Gezena Schreiber, of Wolcott, Indiana, also mourn his loss. Ono Dierks preceded her to the great beyond in January of 1916, from his home in Stuttgart, Ark.

Mrs. Flyr was confirmed in the Lutheran church of Peoria, Ill., in 1871. After removing to Nebraska, Mr. and Mrs. Flyr united with the German Presbyterian church of Hastings, Neb. in 1894 where their membership remained until the end. The children particularly mention the loving forbearance and patience of their good mother. The funeral services were held from the home and the Rosedale United Evangelical church, Rev. F. M. P. Bayles officiating. Interment was made in the Rosedale cemetery beside her much loved husband, Henry Flyr, who passed away on October 13, 1917.

Grand Island (Nebraska) Daily Independent
Friday, 6 September 1918
Obituary courtesy of diaNEB #47466150