Burra Record (Burra, SA) Tuesday 14 January 194717263,17264
 
Mrs W. M. Klaffus-Burra's Centenarian Passes

Mrs Wilhelmina Matilda Klaffus
of Burra, who attained the great
age of 100 years, four and a half
months, passed away at the Bur-
ra Hospital during the early hours
of Wednesday morning last week.  
The late Mrs. Klaffus was born
at Hahndorf, South Australia, on
27th August. 1846, and was the
daughter of a school teacher.
From that centre she married the
late Carl Frahm and the couple
resided at Light's Pass, near Tan
unda. There were eight children
from this marriage, one of whom
survives her in the person of Mr.
Oscar Frahm, of Gilles Plains. Her
first husband died during Novem-  
ber of the year 1886 and in 1889
the late Mrs Klaffus married Mr
Charles Klaffus.
The couple moved to Worlds End
and resided there for about five
years, following the occupation of
farming. During this period Mrs
Klaffus showed how enduring the
old pioneers of this country were.
She assisted her husband about
the farm and to clear the land.
She cut wood and loaded the wag-
gons. Mr and Mrs Klaffus were
amongst the first settlers to take
up land in the World’s End dist-
rict. There was one child of the
marriage, a son, Walter who at
present lives in Earlwood, N.S.W.
Fifty-two years ago she came to
reside in Burra and over a period
of years was employed by
many of the well-known families
in this town with regard to domes-
tic duties.
Although she did not take an ac-
tive interest in the social activities
of Burra, she was keenly interest-
ed in the progress of the town. Mrs
Klaffus was a strong adherent of
the Lutheran Church and read her
bible with regularity. Some time
ago she was ordered to use glasses  
but some years later she discarded
these aids to her sight stating that
she could see better without them.
Until very recently she also did her
own mending without glasses and
retained her hearing until recently
when she lost it.
About four years ago she won
the 'Brodie Chair' for being the
oldest living mother of a son who
had attended the 1914-18 War.
Walter Klaffus was the son who
gained her this distinction.
During recent years each of her
birthdays was celebrated with due
ceremony, and when she reached
the century-mark last August her
birthday party was quite a big
event. His Worship the Mayor
(Mr H. Jennison) and members of
the Burra Ministers' Fraternal
were amongst the guests present
and many congratulatory speeches
were made. These birthday parties
were enjoyed immensely by the old
lady and as she had a keen sense
of humour and a ready wit, the
parties were quite jolly affairs.
Last year the Prime Minister of
Australia when visiting Burra took
time off to visit Mrs Klaffus and
she insisted that he occupy the
Brodie Chair — a piece of furniture
of which she was very proud.
Until four years ago Mrs Klaffus
was quite a well-known figure in
the streets of Burra, as she used
to do her own shopping, then the
walk down the street became too
much of an effort and she remain
ed in her own house and yard.
For 22 years she lived alone in
Burra and during that time Mrs
E. Wohling attended to her wants
with regard to meals, etc. Mrs Woh
ling paid regular daily visits to the
old lady.
On Saturday, 21st December Mrs
Klaffus was quite fit and well con
sidering her age. On Sunday
22nd December she fell over in
her back yard and although she
made light of the bruises she sus-
tained, could not have been feel-
ing too well because she sent for
Mrs Wohling. The Doctor was
called and Mrs Klaffus was taken
to the Burra Hospital where she
died.
The funeral took place at Burra
on Thursday when Rev. Barrett
officiated at the graveside and
Messrs C. J. Pearce and Son car
ried out the funeral arrangements
Bearers were Messrs Dave and Al-
bert Morrison, Bert Sugars and E.
Morrison. J. Pearce and Son car-
ried out the funeral arrangements
Bearers were Messrs Dave and Al-
bert Morrison, Bert Sugars and E.
Morrison.