Kathryn was the 2nd of 7 children born to:

Christoph Theis, b. Apr. 1, 1824 in Wuschheim, Rhein-Hunsrücker Landkreis, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany and d. Jul. 27, 1907 in Waseca, Waseca County, MN. &

Anna Elisabeth Hebel, b. Jul. 28, 1825 in Wuschheim, Rhein-Hunsrücker Landkreis, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany and d. Jul. 1, 1893 in Waseca, Waseca County, MN.

Christoph and Anna Theis' children were:

1) Jacob Theis, b. Oct. 28, 1849, born in Germany

2) Catharine Theis, b. December 25, 1852, Hanover, Germany, d. Jan. 1, 1937 in Alhambra, Ca. Marr. Wilhelm (William) Frederick Johann (John) Von Sien Oct. 5, 1871 in Waseca, Minnesota. Some time after her husband died, Catharine moved to Alhambra, California to be near three of her daughters, Lydia, Clara and Emma.

3)Louisa, 'Lizzie' Theis, b. Oct. 22, 1856 in Wisconsin and d. Sept. 24, 1938 in Duluth, St. Louis, MN. She marr. Henry Soltau on Jun. 3, 1874.

4) Christopher Theis Jr., b. Aug. 29, 1858 in Martwood, Wisconsin and d. Oct. 2, 1870 in Blooming Grove Twp, Mn. at the age of twelve yrs., one mth.

5) Maria "Mary" Margaretha Theis, b. July 1, 1861 in Herman, Sheboygan county, WI. Mary marr. August L. Voss. Mr. & Mrs. Voss owned the Voss bakery. (Memorial #8219808). August was also a sexton.

6) Anna Theis, b. Dec. 15, 1864 (Memorial # 8191106), d. Sept. 1, 1883. Anna died at age 18 of rheumatism.

7) Edwin Carmen Theis, b. 18 Dec. 1871, d. 18 Oct. 1937 in Fair Oaks Ca. Marr. Alice Antoinette Perkins.

Kathryn (Katharina/Catharine/Kate) Theis, born in Prussia, Germany on Dec. 25, 1852, made the trip to America by ship with her parents, Christoph and (Anna) Hebel Theis, when she was six weeks old, according to granddaughter, Lydia Beese Beekman (daughter of Emma). She came to Waseca Co., MN. when she was a child.

In the 1870 U. S. census, 17 yr. old Catharine Thiess, b. in Prussia, was living in Blooming Grove, Waseca, MN. with her

48 yr. old father, Christof Thiess, a farmer, b. in Prussia

46 yr. old mother, Anna E. Thiess, b. abt. 1824 in Prussia

15 yr. old sister, Louise Thiess, b. in WI.

11 yr. old brother, Christof Thiess, b. in WI.

9 yr. old sister, Margaretta Thiess, b. in WI.,

6 yr. old sister, Anna Thiess, b. in WI.

20 yr. old brother, Jacob Thiess, b. in Prussia

After Fredericka died on Mar. 11, 1871, William ('Wilhelm Von Sin) married, second, seven months later, Katharina (Katrina) 'Kate' Theis (1852 - 1937) on Oct. 5, 1871 in Waseca, MN., according to Vol. A, P. 168 of Waseca Marriage records.

According to their Waseca County, MN. Marriage License, Wilhelm 'Vonsin' of the County of Waseca and Katharina 'Teis' of the County of Waseca were joined in the holy bonds of Matrimony on Oct. 5, 1871 at Waseca, Waseca, MN. by Joseph Krinholz/Kunholz, a minister of the Gospel in the presece of Charles Bauman and August Zimvrer/Zimmer/Timvrer.

Kathryn was the second wife of William Frederick John (originally Wilhelm Friedrich Johann) Von Sien (b. August 28, 1832 - d. April 6, 1897).

Wilhelm's first wife, Fredricke Famer, d. in 1871. Wilhelm and Fredricke had a daughter, Erda.

William and Kathryn Von Sien had ten children:

1) George Samuel Von Sien, b. Jul. 30, 1872 in Waseca County, MN., and d. Oct. 7, 1944 in Wilkinsburg, Allegheny County, PA. George marr. Hallie Slocum.

2) Emma Louise Von Sien, b. Dec. 23, 1873 in Waseca County, MN. and d. May 18, 1947 in San Bernardino County, CA. Emma marr. Edward D. Beese and Robert Fehmer.

3) Lydia Magdalene Von Sien, b. Jan. 17, 1875 in Waseca County, MN. and d. Mar. 23, 1952 in Alhambra, Los Angeles County, CA. Lydia marr. Charles T. Brown.

4) William John Von Sien, b. May 21, 1878 in Waseca County, MN. and d. Sep. 30, 1949 in Waseca County, MN.

5) Benjamin Franklin Von Sien, b. Apr. 26, 1880 in Waseca, Waseca County, MN. and d. Oct. 16, 1961 in Mankato, Blue Earth County, MN.

6) Edward August 'Ed' Von Sien, b. Mar. 23, 1882 in Waseca County, MN. and d. Sep. 27, 1960 in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, MN.

7) Anna Kathryn Von Sien, b. Oct. 15, 1884 in Waseca County, MN. and d. Nov. 22, 1962 in Alhambra, L.A., CA. Anna never married.

8) Fred Chris(tian) 'Fritz' Von Sien, b. Mar. 21, 1887 in Waseca County, MN. and d. Jun. 8, 1961 in Mankato, Blue Earth County, MN. Fred married Daisy Dean Keller.

9) Clara Dora (Claire Dorothy) Von Sien, b. Oct. 7, 1889 in Waseca, Waseca County, MN. and d. Apr. 17, 1942 in San Bernardino County, CA. She marr. Earnest Edwin Perdew

10) Clarence August 'Whitey' Von Sien, b. Mar. 26, 1892 in Waseca County, MN. and d. Feb. 24, 1944 in La Crosse County, WI.

According to Kathryn's granddaughter, Olive Von Sien Larson (daughter of Edward August Von Sien), most of the Von Siens were Methodist. Kathryn went to the German church which was conducted in German. Emma, Anna and Edward, who spoke German, went there with her.

According to the May 1, 1875 Minnesota Territorial and State census, 22 yr. old Katie Von Sien, b. in Mecklenburg, Germany, was living in Waseca, MN. with her

43 yr. old husband, William Von Sien, b. in Mecklenburg, Germany

8 yr. old stepdaughter, Erda, b. in WI.

2 yr. old son, George Von Sien, b. in MN.

1 yr. old daughter, Emma Von Sien, b. in MN.

William & Katie's parents birthplace was listed as Mecklenburg, Germany.

In the June 15-17, 1895 MN. Territorial and State census, 42 yr. old Katie Vonsein, b. Dec. 1853 in Germany, was living in Woodville, Waseca, MN. with her

62 yr. old husband, William Vonsien, a farmer, b. in Germany,

22 yr. old son, G. S. (F.) (George) Vonsien, a farmer, b. in MN.

21 yr. old daughter, Emma Vonsein, a domestic, b. in MN.

19 yr. old daughter, 'Liddie' (Lydia) Vonsein, b. in MN.

17 yr. old son, Willie, b. in MN.

15 yr. old son, Bennie, b. in MN.

13 yr. old son, Edward Vonsein, b. in MN.

10 yr. old daughter, Anna Vonsein, b. in MN.

8 yr. old son, Freddie Vonsein, b. in MN.

6 yr. old daughter, Clara Vonsein, b. in MN.

3 yr. old son, Clarence Vonsein, b. in MN.

William died on his farm in Woodville, Waseca, MN., on April 6, 1897.

Kathryn's son, August Von Sien, was in charge of administering the money given to her. Some of her children took a share of the money. Emma, Anna, August and Ben gave their shares of the money to their mother.

Waseca Radical (Waseca, MN.), P. 2, Col. 1

On March 29, 1899, Kate formed a new partnership with A. Wert to create the Clear Lake Ice Company. In Dec. 12, 1900, the company was called Von Sien Bros. Ice House.

The railroad wanted to put tracks through her farmland, but had to pay for the land.

In the 1900 U.S. census, 46 yr. old widow, Katie Vonsein, b. Dec. 1853 in Germany, was living in Woodville, Waseca, MN. with her

23 yr. old son, (designated as head of household), W.J. (William John) Vonsein, a farmer and iceman, b. May 1877 in MN.

24 yr. old daughter, Lydia Vonsein, a dressmaker, b. Mar. 1876 in MN.

19 yr. old son, Ed Vonsein, a farmer and iceman, b. Apr. 1881 in MN.

16 yr. old daughter, Anna Vonsein, a student, b. Apr. 1884 in MN.

15 yr. old son, Fred Vonsein, a student, b. Apr. 1885 in MN.

10 yr. old son, Clarence Vonsein, a student, b. Mar. 1890 in MN.

7 yr. old daughter, Clara Vonsein, a student, b. Mar. 1893 in MN.

Katie's parents were both b. in Germany.

Her husband, father of all her children, was also born in Germany.

Katie was the mother of 10 children, all alive by this census.

She immigrated to the U.S. in 1855.

Waseca Radical (Waseca, MN.), P. 5, Col. 2

Dec. 12, 1900

Company: Von Sien Bros.

Topic: Ice House

(an advertisement)

By the 1910 U.S. census, 56 yr. old widow, Catherine Von Sien, b. in Germany was living alone on a farm she owned free and clear, on her 'own income' in Woodville, Waseca, MN.

She was the mother of 10 children, all still living by this census.

She was unable to read and write, but was able to speak English.

Kate remained in Waseca until about 1919 when she moved to California to live with her daughter, Lydia (Von Sien) Brown.

'Katherine M. VonSien' was listed in the 1919, 1920 (Pomona), 1922 (Pomona) & 1923 (Pomona) Cucamonga City directories as living at the residence of her son-in-law, Charles Brown and daughter, Lydia.

By 1928, 'Kath. Von Sien' (widow of Wm.) was listed at 105 So. Chapel in the Alhambra City Directory

In the 1930 U.S. census, 79 yr. old widow, Catherine Von Sien, b. abt. 1851 in Germany was living at 105 Chapel St. in Alhambra, L.A. Co., CA. with her

67 yr. old son-in-law (head of household), Charles T. Brown, b. in MA.

53 yr. old daughter, Lydia Brown, b. in MN. and

12 yr. old granddaughter, Ruth C. Brown, b. in CA.

Both of Kate's parents were born in Germany.

Kate immigrated to the U.S. in 1852.

Charles was 27 yrs. old when he married for the first time.

(This was his second marriage.) Lydia was 32 yrs. old and Catherine was 19 yrs. old.

According to the 1932 and 1935 Alhambra City directories, 'Kathryn Von Sien' was living at 105 So. Chapel in Alhambra, L.A., CA. (with her daughter, Lydia, and son-in-law, Charlie Brown.

Waseca Journal (Waseca, MN.) her home town in Minnesota) Wed., Jan. 6, 1937:

Headline: Mother Of Ten, Early Settler Dies New Years

Mr. and Mrs. Ben Von Sien received a message telling of the death of the latter's mother, Mrs. Catherine Von Sien, who passed away New Year's Day at the home of her daughter, Lydia / Mrs. Charles Brown at Alhambra, California. Mrs. Von Sien, who was 86 years of age, had been in poor health for the past year.

Mrs. Von Sien was born in Germany. She came to America when a little girl and spent most of her life in Waseca. She was married to William Von Sien Sr., who passed away about 42 years ago. For the past year, she has been making her home with her daughter.

The deceased is survived by six sons and four daughters, namely Ben, Fred and William of Waseca; George and Edward of Minneapolis; Clarence of Winona; Anna of New York City; Mrs. Lydia Brown (of Alhambra, California); Mrs. Earnest Perdew of Alta Loma, California; and Mrs. Emma Fehmer of Los Angeles, California.

The Waseca Herald, Waseca, MN.

Thu., Jan. 7, 1937

CATHERINE VON SIEN

Mrs. Catherine Von Sien, a former well known resident of Waseca, died on New Year's day at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Charles Brown, at Alhambra, California. Her health had been failing for some time and death was due to infirmities incident to old age. She had lived with her daughter for the past 12 years.

She was 86 years old and a native of Germany. Her husband preceded her in death many years ago, but she is survived by the following children; Mrs. Chas. Brown, Mrs. Emma Fehmer and Mrs. Earnest Perdew of California; Miss Anna Von Sien of New Richland; George and Edward Von Sien of Minneapolis; Clarence of Winona; William, Ben and Fred. of Waseca.

The Waseca Herald (Waseca, MN.), P. 16

Thu., Jan. 7, 1937

Catherine Von Sien

Death was due to infirmaries incident with old age. She had lived with her daughter for the past 12 years.

Survived by Mrs. Chas. Brown, Mrs. Emma Fehmer and Mrs. Ernest (Earnest) Perdue (Perdew) of Calif., Miss Anna Von Sien of New Richland, George and Edward of Minneapolis, Clarence of Winona, William, Ben and Fred of Waseca.

According to cemetery records, 'Katherine' Von Sien was living (with her daughter and son-in-law) at 105 So. Chapel St., Alhambra, L. A., CA. at the time of her death. She died on Jan. 1, 1937 in Alhambra, L. A., CA. at the age of 84 years, 0 months and 6 days. She was buried on Jan. 4, 1937. Undertaker: Turner Stevens & Turner in Alhambra, CA.

Buried beside her are James H. Clark, who died 1937 and Lelia L. Clark, who died in 1946.

'Kate' was very slim and had dark brown eyes. She and her daughter, Lydia, looked a lot alike. She attended a German church where church services were given in German in Minnesota and in CA. Her daughter, Emma, went there as well and understood German. Most of the Von Siens were Methodist.

Granddaughter, Olive (daughter of Kate's son, Edward Von Sien) remembers meeting Kate's sister, Elizabeth 'Lizzie'/Louise Soltau and husband when they had Sunday dinners at their son's Methodist Parsonage (Henry J. Soltau Jr. in Brooklyn, Minnesota).

Olive's mother, Helen (Craig) Von Sien, liked her mother-in-law, Kathryn, very much and bought her clothes to travel.

Granddaughter Lydia (daughter of Kate's daughter, Emma) knew Kate's other sister, Mary (Voss) and brother, Ed Theis.

Grandson, Denning 'Jack' Perdew remembers that 'Grossmutter' Catherine lived for a time with his family in Alta Loma (San Bernardino, CA.). He recalls that she participated in quilting bees with her daughter and made wonderful homemade breads, cinnamon coffee cakes, and potato pancakes. He remembers her as serious, disciplined and reserved and never remembers seeing her with her teeth in.

Kathryn is buried near a church friend. She was buried on Jan. 4, 1937.