Saint Paul U.C.C. (Osage) Cemetery
The cemetery is located 1/4 mile east of the intersection of 32nd and R roads. The cemetery is attached to the St. Paul's United Church of Christ. The church's information is:
Saint Paul United Church of Christ
3288 R Road
Cook, NE 68329
(402) 864-7411
"St. Paul's Church of Osage has been a community landmark for over a century. It is located two miles north and one-half mile east of Cook. This is near the south edge of Osage Precinct and the Otoe-Johnson line. The early address of Osage, Otoe County, Nebraska was discontinued after the establishment of Cook. The church and adjoining cemetery are familiarly known as the Osage Church and the Osage Cemetery.
Many of the pioneers from Missouri, Ohio, Illinois and Iowa of German Evangelical background sought ministry to their spiritual needs. Rev. C. Hoffmeister of rural Council Bluffs, Iowa, a noted traveling preacher, held services in homes and the Osage (Dist. 49) Schoolhouse. Early January 1871, two new churches were organized - St. Paul's of Osage and St. John's of McWilliams Precinct. These two churches shared a minister for several years.
The thirteen charter members of St. Paul's Evangelical Church (Evangelische St. Paul's Germeinde) were: John Tangemann, John H. Mohrmann, Fritz Damme, Herman Wellensieck, Casper Wellensieck, W. Kruse, Louis Schacht, Louis Damme, F.H. Wellensieck, David Risser, Carl Kutcher, Martin Halfmann, and John Kuenning. These men and their families comprised the beginning congregation. In January 1872, eight acres of land were purchased from Fritz Damme. That year part of this land was laid out as a cemetery, the Osage Cemetery. The church, parsonage, and other buildings have stood here these many years. (1)
Burial Listing: A listing of burials was submitted on 21 Jun 2003 and updated on 15 Sep 2004. This information can be found at:
Gravestone Photographs: http://nebraskagravestones.org/
Point of Contact: This cemetery is still in use today and maintained by a sexton. For more information, contact the church office at (402) 864-7411.
Cemetery Photographs:
Works Cited:
(1) Marvin Schacht (1983). 'Otoe County History', Syracuse, Otoe County, Nebraska. Pg. 48.
