My great-grandmother, Ernestine (Sanders) Strelesky, died of pneumonia, following an attack of influenza, during the Spanish flu pandemic. She was pregnant when she died in Sheridan, Wyoming, on February 5, 1920.  She was 32.  Ernestine is buried at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Dubuque, Iowa.

Ernestine was born in Galena, Jo Daviess co, Illinois, on November 20, 1887, to Ernest and Josephine (Uhlrich) Sanders.  She was the oldest of eight children.

A Roman Catholic priest married Ernestine and Jack Strelesky in Dubuque, Iowa, on September 19, 1906.  They had four children: Herb, Alice, Eunice and Marjorie.

I found two articles discussing Ernestine’s death at the Wyoming State Archives Newspaper Digitization Project.  Both list her age incorrectly.

• The first was published in the Sheridan Enterprise, no. 103, February 06, 1920, page 1.  It’s a horrible article that discusses all the women and babies that died the same day as Ernestine. The article does not mention Ernestine’s pregnancy.
• The second is from the Sheridan Post, no. 337, February 06, 1920, page 4.

Transcription of article:

INFLUENZA CAUSE OF SIX DEATHS

TWO NEW MOTHERS AND BABES DIE

The death of Cordelia A. La Rue, wife of Clarence W. La Rue, who is employed at the store at Dietz, occurred at 5 o’clock this morning at her home in that town. Death followed closely the birth of twins, both of whom were dead. Mrs. La Rue was a victim of pneumonia following an attack of influenza. Besides her husband she is survived by a daughter three and a half years of age. Her father, James M. Stokley, Marshall, Mo., one sister and five brothers are the other near relatives. The body will be shipped from Reed’s undertaking parlors to Marshall, Mo., tomorrow.

JAPANESE MOTHER AND BABY DIE HERE

Mrs. Kaoru Osaya, a Japanese woman, died at the Rex Hotel of pneumonia following influenza yesterday. Her death was preceded by the birth of a child which also died, and will be buried with her. The funeral will be held at  Champion & Shannon’s undertaking parlors Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock.

MRS. J. J. STRELESKY IS VICTIM OF PNEUMONIA

Mrs. J. J. Strelesky, aged 31, died at her home, 218 First street, yesterday afternoon of pneumonia following influenza. She is survived by her husband and four children, the oldest 12 years, and the youngest one year. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Sanders, Dubuque, Ia., and three brothers and two sisters, also survive. The body is now at Reed’s undertaking parlors, being prepared for shipment tomorrow to Dubuque where the funeral will be held.

Transcription of article:

INFLUENZA STILL CLAIMING VICTIMS

Ernestine Strelesky, aged 31, two months and 14 days, wife of John J. Strelesky, died at the family home, 318 East First street yesterday afternoon from pneumonia, following an attack of influenza. Besides her husband she leaves four children, the oldest 12 years and the youngest one; also three brothers and two sisters. Her father and mother reside at Dubuque, Iowa, where the body will be shipped. The remains are now at the Reed undertaking parlors.