Documented History
Lela Marie Maurer was born in Kentucky on 29 September 1890 according to an ancestry family tree.
Lela lived at 2214 Lytle Alley, Jefferson County, Kentucky in 1900 with her parents and siblings. She was 9 years old at the time.
Her father was Peter Maurer, born July 1857, 42 years old.
Her mother was Hannah E. King, born December 1864, 35 years old.
Her siblings were: Nora F. J. born 26 April 1886, 14 years old; Katie born September 1888, 11 years old; and Leone L. born September 1898, 1 year old. Peter and Hannah were married 20 years at the time.
Hannah had 8 children total, but only 4 living.
Peter was born in Indiana, his parents were born in Germany. Hannah was born in Kentucky, her parents were born in Ireland. Their children were all born in Kentucky.
Peter was a bricklayer. Their house was rented.
Lela married Stephen Guntermann in Clark, Indiana on 20 October 1909 when she was 19 years old according to Indiana, Marriage Collection, 1800-1941.
Lela’s son Raymond Edward was born 27 June 1910 according to his WWII Draft Card.
Lela’s daughter Mary Kathryn was born 25 May 1912 according to her Death Certificate.
In 1927, Lela and Stephen lived at 2114 Wrocklage Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky according to the City Directory.
According to the 1930 Census, Lela lived in Louisville, Kentucky when she was 40 years old.
She lived with her son Raymond who was 19 years old and her daughter, my great grandmother, who was 17 years old at the time. They had a maid by the name of Elizabeth Bank who was 68 years old.
Lela and Mary were stenographers. Raymond didn’t work. Lela is listed as divorced.
Death
Lela lost her daughter on 8 December 1958. Mary Kathryn died of Lobar Pneumonia at Mary & Elizabeth Hospital. She had been living at 1843 Heaton Rd., Louisville, Kentucky at the time of her death.
Lela died in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky on 9 November 1963 according to the U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014. She was 73 years old.
I have some confusion with Lela because I’ve seen her name listed differently on different records and there’s confusion with her husband, Stephen Guntermann, as well. This is all I have on her right now but I’ll be looking for ways to verify that what I have is true as well as looking for the correct spelling of her name.
If you knew her or know the family, I would love to hear from you! Please drop a few lines in the comments below and let me know what you remember.
Until next time,
~Kris
