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The Gerken-Larson Heritage:
The 19th and 20th Centuries
A Family History

Herman Gerken (1819-1875)
Henry Gerken (1855-1914)
Ewald Gerken (1895-1956)
Joan (Gerken) Larson (1926-1994)
Thomas Larson (1962-)

Researched and written by
Tom Larson

Herman Conrad Gerken--or Conrad Herman Gerken aka C.H. Gerken--(1845-1921) was a first cousin to my great-grandfather, Henry Gerken. C.H. Gerken came to America circa 1865 when he was about 20 years of age, and first lived with his uncle and my great-great-grandfather, Herman Gerken, at Dyersville, Iowa. C.H. Gerken married Margaret Hart (1845-1924), and they lived at Chicago, Illinois, where he worked as a carpenter.   T.L.

Herman Conrad and Margaret (Hart) Gerken

Herman Conrad Gerken was born July 9, 1845, in Hegensdorf, Westphalia, Germany, son of Jodocus Wilhelm and Maria Catherine (Quante) Gerken. He was baptized on July 10, 1845, as Hermann Conrad Gerken. He emigrated from Germany to the United States, arriving in Dyersville, Iowa, circa 1865, in order to avoid the fighting in the German states, according to one family story. He was living with his uncle, Herman Gerken, at the time of the 1870 U.S. census. It appears Herman Conrad Gerken's first and middle names came to be switched and he became known as Conrad Herman Gerken, or C.H. Gerken, and this may have come about since there was already one Herman Gerken, his uncle, and so the nephew was called Conrad, and Conrad appears on some documents, and newspaper references often referred to him as C.H. Gerken, but likewise again, he was called Herman. On his gravestone his name was inscribed Herman C. Gerken. So here Conrad Herman Gerken and Herman Conrad Gerken are used interchangeably.

Herman Conrad Gerken was a half-brother of Francis Xavier Gerken (who himself was often called "Xavier" or referred to as "F.X. Gerken") of New Vienna, Iowa; John E. Gerken of Woonsocket, South Dakota; Bernard Gerken, another immigrant to the United States; and the Reverend Franz Gerken of Westphalia (who at one time made a trip to America to see his emigrant relations; the Reverend Franz Gerken is said to have left a family tree of the Gerken family with his brother F.X. Gerken while in America).

Conrad Herman Gerken was naturalized a citizen of the United States on March 18, 1870.

C.H. Gerken moves to Chicago.
At the time of the great Chicago Fire in October of 1871, C.H. Gerken went to Chicago and spent some time there at his trade of carpenter.

Marries Miss Margaret Hart.
Conrad Herman Gerken married Miss Margaret E. Hart at St. Joseph’s Church in Chicago; the story goes that he met Miss Hart when, upon going to church one Sunday, she was seated in his pew, for which, as was custom, Mr. Gerken had paid his rent (which was the reason pews were numbered in churches).

Miss Margaret E. Hart was born at Tistle Dort, on the Rhine, in Germany on January 18, 1845, and when a young girl, she came to this country with her folks, settling at Chicago.

The couple continued their residence in Chicago for a short time. They then came to Dyersville to live, and this city was their home for ten years, until 1889. The family resided in East Dyersville, better known as Eagle Point, and resided in the brick residence formerly occupied by Henry Luensmann and family.

The 1880 U.S. Census has the Gerken household in Dyersville consisting of C.H., age 34, carpenter; Margar., age 33, keeping house; Maggi, age 4; and Theresia, age 2.

Helps build St. Francis Church at Dyersville; suffers fall from steeple.
Mr. Gerken helped build the present St. Francis Church at Dyersville. While working in the steeple in the south tower, he fell with the ladder to the basement, a height of sixty feet, and escaped with the miraculously minor injuries of a broken nose and collarbone. He also built the vestment cabinet that stands in the main sacristy.

The Gerkens moves to Dubuque.
The Gerkens then moved to Dubuque, Iowa, where city directories record their addresses as being 55 Hart, 51 W. Eagle Point Avenue, 313 Stafford Avenue, 11 Valeria (they lived longest here, from circa 1896 to 1912), and 32 Kleine. In Dubuque Mr. Gerken worked for the Carr, Ryder, and Engler Company, continuing there after its name change to Carr, Ryder, and Adams Company. Circa 1914 Mr. and Mrs. Gerken again returned to Chicago to live.

MR. C. H. GERKEN DIED IN CHICAGO
FATHER OF MRS. JOE LOES OF DYERSVILLE, PASSED AWAY LAST MONDAY.
Remains Will Be Brought To Dyersville For Burial--Funeral Friday Morning.

Mr. Conrad Herman Gerken, father of Mrs. Joe Loes of Dyersville, Iowa, passed away at his home, 1732 Cleveland Ave, Chicago, on Monday, March 14, 1921, at 8 o’clock in the morning. He had suffered from diabetes.

Besides his wife he was survived by two sons, Joseph H. and William J. Gerken, both of Chicago, and two daughters, Mrs. George Ellwanger of Chicago and Mrs. Loes of Dyersville. The remains were brought to Dyersville Wednesday evening, and taken to the home of his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Loes, on West Victoria Street from where the funeral was held Friday morning, March 18, 1921, at 9:30 to St. Francis Church, where requiem mass was read for the repose of his soul, after which interment was made in St. Francis cemetery at Dyersville.

Mr. Gerken was a devout member of the Catholic Church, and lived in accord with its teachings, and passed away fortified by its rites. He was devoted to his family, and his presence was to be missed by the family circle, to whom deepest sympathy was extended.

Margaret (Hart) Gerken dies.
Mrs. Margaret E. (Hart) Gerken, wife of the late Mr. C. H. Gerken, passed away at the home of her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. George Ellwanger, 1742 Cleveland Ave, Chicago, at 1:30 o’clock, Monday morning, April 14, 1924. Death followed an illness of several years duration of asthma. Although able to be about all the time, her case was not of a serious nature until about three days prior to her demise, when she took to her bed and passed away at time stated above.

Mr. Gerken preceded his wife in death three years ago, on March 14. His remains were brought to Dyersville for burial, it being his request.

Seven children were born to this union, three of whom preceded their parents to the grave; the four surviving are Mrs. Geo. Ellwanger of Chicago, Mrs. Joseph Loes of Dyersville, and J. H. and W. J. Gerken, both of Chicago. One sister, Mrs. H[?] of Chicago also survives.

Funeral services for the repose of her soul took place in St. Michael’s Church at Chicago on Wednesday morning, after which the remains were brought to this city, arriving here on the midnight train and taken to the home of her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Loes. Burial was Friday morning, April 18, 1924, at 9:00; her remains were laid to rest beside those of her husband in St. Francis cemetery.

Mrs. Gerken was a woman whom it was a pleasure to know. Always kind and considerate, she won the esteem and confidence of countless friends. To her children she was a devoted mother, and to her husband a devoted wife.

She was a consistent member of the Catholic Church, and when death claimed her, she was well prepared with its rites and goes forth to receive the reward she so richly deserved. Heartfelt sympathy was extended to those left to mourn her loss.

Children of Herman Conrad and Margaret (Hart) Gerken:

  1. Maria Margaret "Maggie" Gerken was born on September 2, 1875, daughter of Herman Conrad and Margaret (Hart) Gerken. Margaret Gerken, who was called "Maggie," was baptized on September 12, 1875.

    Margaret Gerken died as a young girl at Dyersville, Iowa.

  2. Anna Marie Theresa Gerken was born on January 2, 1878, daughter of Herman Conrad and Margaret (Hart) Gerken. Anna Marie Theresa Gerken, who was known by her third given name of Theresa, was baptized January 8, 1878.

    Theresa Gerken died as a young girl at Dyersville, Iowa.

  3. William Joseph Ludwig Gerken was born on October 8, 1880, son of Herman Conrad and Margaret (Hart) Gerken. William was baptized on October 10, 1880. William Gerken married Mary Pals on February 11, 1911, (February 16, 1909?) at Dubuque, Iowa. Mary Pals was born on December 12, 1880. William and Mary Gerken had seven children, Herman, John, Elizabeth "Betty," Rosemary, Myrene, Irma, and Alice.

    William J. Gerken died at Chicago in 1928. Mary Gerken died in May 1978.

    Children of William and Mary (Pals) Gerken:

    • Herman Gerken, son of William and Mary (Pals) Gerken. Herman Gerken married Lucille Bleau. Herman was a pharmacist and called Honey.

      An online social security death index includes an entry for a Lucille Gerken, who was born September 24, 1911, and died in March 1996, with a last residence of Arlington Heights, Cook County, Illinois. Whether or not this is the Mrs. Herman Gerken referred to here is unknown.

    • John Gerken was born on October 12, 1912, son of William and Mary (Pals) Gerken. John Gerken married Rosemary Tomlinson.

      John Gerken died in August 1982, with a last residence of Marengo, McHenry County, Illinois.

    • Elizabeth G. Gerken was born on November 9, 1918, daughter of William and Mary (Pals) Gerken. Elizabeth Gerken, who was called "Betty," married Clement P. Arens. Clement Arens was born on October 21, 1915. Clem Arens was the owner of the House of Hansen in Chicago, Illinois, a religious goods store that specializes in custom-tailored garments for the clergy. Clem and Betty Arens were members of St. Monica Catholic Church in Chicago, and Betty served as president of the Women's Club and Coordinator of the Respect Life Committee for many years. She devoted that last 35 years of her life to protecting the rights of the unborn as a volunteer at Aid for Women in Chicago and for the Women Center of Des Plaines and Chicago.
            Clem and Betty Arens had six children, William Arens, Alice Arens, Martin Arens, Mary Angela Arens, Gerard Arens, John Arens, Michael Arens, and Rosemary Arens.

      Clement P. Arens, 86, of Chicago, Illinois, died on Friday November 23, 2001. Visitation was on Sunday, November 25, from 3 to 9 p.m. at the Kolbus Funeral Home in Chicago. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m., Monday, November 26, at St. Monica Church in Chicago, and interment was in Maryhill Cemetery at Niles, Illinois.
            Clement was the beloved husband of Elizabeth, nee Gerken; loving father of William, Alice (John) Blomquist, Martin, Mary, Gerard (Ellen), John (Teresa), Michael (Sandy) and Rosemary (Tom) Erler; dear grandfather of Jennifer, John, Melissa, Laura and Katie Blomquist, Kathleen Arens, Richard Arens, Rebecca, Mary Elizabeth, Bernadette and Jason Arens, Carmella, Bobby and Michael Mangione and Adam and Elizabeth Erler; great-grandfather to Margaret Mary Linker.

      Elizabeth G. ''Betty'' Arens, nee Gerken, age 87, of Chicago, Illinois, died Friday, September 1, 2006. Visitation was Tuesday, September 5, from 3 to 9 p.m., at Kolbus-John V. May Funeral Home in Chicago. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, September 6, at St. Monica Church in Chicago, and interment was in Maryhill Cemetery at Niles, Illinois.
            She was a wonderful, faith-filled woman who will be deeply missed.
            Betty was the beloved wife of the late Clement P.; loving mother of William (fiance, Diana Harris), Alice (John) Blomquist, Martin, Mary, Gerard (Ellen), John (Teresa), Michael (Sandy) and Rosemary (Tom) Erler; dear grandmother of 18; great-grandmother of seven.
      Source for obituary information for both Clem and Betty Arens: Chicago Tribune.
      Accessed online at www.legacy.com on March 4, 2007.

      • Mary Angela Arens was born on February 22, 1950, in Chicago, Illinois, daughter of Clement P. and Elizabeth C. (Gerken) Arens. Mary Arens was a wonderful, faith-filled and fun-loving person whose kindness touched the lives of everyone who knew her. She devoted her life to her family and to the protection of the unborn. Mary was a partner in the House of Hansen, a religious goods store in Chicago.

        Mary Angela Arens, 56, of Chicago, Illinois, died February 4, 2007, in Elgin, Illinois. Visitation was held from 3 to 9 p.m., Thursday, February 8, at Ryan-Parke Funeral Home in Park Ridge, Illinois. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m., Friday, February 9, at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church in Park Ridge. Interment was in Maryhill Cemetery at Niles, Illinois.
              Our hearts are broken; she will be greatly missed and always remembered.
              Mary was survived by her siblings, William (Diana) Arens, Alice (John) Blomquist, Martin Arens, Gerard (Ellen) Arens, John (Teresa) Arens, Michael (Sandy) Arens, and Rosemary (Thomas) Erler; nieces and nephews Jennifer (Mark) Gidley, Melissa (James) Neyfeldt, John, Laura and Kate Blomquist, Kathleen, Richard, Rebecca, Mary and Jason-Clement Arens, Jack and Tara Sullivan, Bernadette (Kevin) Crowley, Carmela (Mike) Linker, Robert and Michael Mangione, Adam and Elizabeth Erler; many grand nieces and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clement P. and Elizabeth C. (nee Gerken).
        Sources for obituary information for Mary Arens:
        Park Ridge Herald-Advocate, published February 8, 2007, accessed online on March 4, 2007,
        at http://www.pioneerlocal.com/parkridge/news/247935,pr-obits-020807-s1.article
        Chicago Suburban Daily Herald, published February 7, 2007, accessed online on March 4, 2007,
        at http://obits.suntimes.com/DailyHerald/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=86351488

    • Irma Elizabeth Gerken was born on September 18, 1916, in Rogers Park, Illinois, daughter of William and Mary (Pals) Gerken.Irma Gerken married William Harry Ganley. William Ganley was born on March 23, 1914, son of Harry and Lena (Blitch) Ganley. William and Irma Ganley had three children, William J. Ganley, Susan Ganley, and Kathryn Ganley.

      William Ganley died on November 23, 1967, and Irma Ganley died January 13, 2000.

      Children of William and Irma (Gerken) Ganley:

      • William J. Ganley. William Ganley married Mary Jane Kliejunas. William and Mary Ganley had three children, Alice Ganley, William Joseph Ganley, and Kristin Elizabeth Ganley.
      • Susan Ganley. Susan Ganley, a nurse, lives in Florida.
      • Kathryn Ganley. Kathryn Ganley married John Yochis on June 28, 1973; they subsequently divorced. Kathryn is a zookeeper in Marshfield, Wisconsin.

    • Rosemary Gerken was born on February 14, 1921, daughter of William and Mary (Pals) Gerken. In her last years Rosemary was residing in a nursing home in Chicago, Illinois.

      Rosemary Gerken died on July 4, 2002; she had a last residence of Berwyn, Cook County, Ill.

    • Alice M. Gerken was born on March 12, 1924, daughter of William and Mary (Pals) Gerken. Alice Gerken married Edward Gowgiel. Edward Gowgiel was a dentist. Edward and Alice Gowgiel had one son, Edward Anthony Gowgiel . Ed and Alice Gowgiel lived in Chicago, Illinois.

      Ed Gowgiel died in 2002.

      Alice M. Gowgiel, nee Gerken, age 79, of Chicago, Illinois, died on Wednesday, August 13, 2003, with a last residence of Terre Haute, Indiana. Visitation was on Friday, August 15, from 4 to 9 p.m. at Egan Funeral Home in Chicago. Funeral services were held at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, August 16, at St. Rene Goupil Church in Chicago, and interment was in Resurrection Cemetery in Justice, Illinois.
            Alice was the beloved wife of the late Dr. Edward Gowgiel, D.D.S.; devoted mother of Edward Anthony; dear sister of Myrene (Jack) Ruud and Betty (Clem) Arens; fond aunt of many.
      Source for obituary information for Alice Gowgiel:
      Chicago Tribune, published August 15, 2003, accessed online on March 4, 2007,
      at http://www.legacy.com

    • Frances Myrene Gerken was born on October 21, 1926, in Chicago, Illinois, daughter of William and Mary (Pals) Gerken. Myrene Gerken married Jack A. Ruud on October 20, 1956, in Chicago. Jack Ruud was born on January 19, 1932. Jack and Myrene Ruud lived in Mount Prospect, Illinois, for over twenty years, after which they moved to Rockford, Illinois. Jack and Myrene Ruud had five sons and two daughters, John Ruud, Thomas Ruud, Paul Ruud, Phil Ruud, and Robert Ruud, Marie Ruud, and Jeanine Ruud.

      Jack A. Ruud, 71, of Rockford, Illinois, died on Tuesday, January 6, 2004.

      Myrene Ruud, 77, died on Tuesday, February 3, 2004, at home in Rockford, Illinois. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m., Friday, February 6, in Holy Family Church at Rockford, with the Reverend Brian Grady officiating. Burial was in Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Rockford.
            Survivors included children, John Ruud, Thomas (Linda) Ruud, Paul Ruud and Phil Ruud, all of Rockford, Robert (Sherry) Ruud of Winnebago, Marie (Mark) Harper of Macomb and Jeanine Ruud; grandchildren, Jack, James, Jeremy, Jason, Thomas, Leland, Tiffany, Jennifer and Maddison; and Myrene's sister, Betty (Clem) Arens of Chicago.
      Source for Myrene Ruud's obituary information:
      Rockford Register Star, published February 5, 2004, accessed online February 11, 2004 at rrstar.com

    Mary Ganley, daughter-in-law of Irma (Gerken) Ganley, and Sherry Ruud, daughter-in-law of Myrene (Gerken) Ruud, and February 2004, both provided additional information about William and Mary Gerken's children.
  4. Joseph Henry Gerken was born on October 24, 1883, at Dyersville, Iowa, son of Herman Conrad and Margaret (Hart) Gerken. He was baptized November 1. His family moved to Dubuque, Iowa, when he was a small boy. While living at Dubuque, Joseph worked at Carr, Ryder, and Adams Company. Circa 1907, he moved to Chicago, Illinois. Joseph Gerken married Amelia "Millie" Rose Rettenmaier on June 24, 1908, at Sacred Heart Church in Dubuque, Iowa. Joseph and Millie (Rettenmaier) Gerken had six children, Milton Gerken, Joseph Gerken Jr., Gertrude (Mrs. Walter R. Volters), Bernice Gerken, Harlan Gerken, and Dolores Gerken, all of Chicago.

    Joseph H. Gerken, 68, formerly of Dubuque, died Friday afternoon, August 1, 1952, at his home in Chicago, Illinois. The funeral was in Chicago. Mr. Gerken was survived by two sons; three daughters; and two sisters, Mrs. George Ellwanger, of Chicago, Ill., and Mrs. Joseph Loes, of Dyersville, Ia.

  5. Maria Sophia Felicitas M. Gerken was born on January 24, 1887, daughter of Herman Conrad and Margaret (Hart) Gerken. She was baptized February 2. Maria Sophia Felicitas M. Gerken was known by her third given name as "Felicia." Felicia Gerken was a dressmaker. Felicia Gerken married George H. Ellwanger*. George Ellwanger was born in Iowa in 1885**, son of Herman P. and Dora (Elligan) Ellwanger, of Dubuque, Iowa. In 1910, George and Felicia Ellwanger were living with Felicia's parents, Conrad and Margaret Gerken, in Dubuque, Iowa. The Ellwangers (as well as Felicia's parents) moved to Chicago, Illinois. George and Felicia Ellwanger had five children: Francis Ellwanger, Margaret (Mrs. Ray Bilodeau), Dorothy (Mrs. Harold Knapik), George Ellwanger Jr., and Richard Ellwanger.
    * = I had George and Felicia's marriage date as August 18, 1918, but the year must be incorrect as their child Margaret was born in 1909, and they were living with Felicia's parents in 1910.
    ** = The 1910 U.S. Census gives George's year of birth as 1886.

    George H. Ellwanger died in 1953.

    Children of George and Felicia (Gerken) Ellwanger:

    • Margaret Ellwanger was born on June 27, 1909, in Iowa, daughter of George and Felicia (Gerken) Ellwanger. Margaret Gerken married Ray Bilodeau. Ray and Margaret Bilodeau had three children, all sons.

      Margaret Bilodeau died in January 1977, with a last residence of Chicago Ridge, in Cook County, Illinois.

    • Dorothy M. Ellwanger was born on March 26, 1912, daughter of George and Felicia (Gerken) Ellwanger. Dorothy Gerken married Harold Knapik. Harry and Dorothy Knapik had five children, Dorothea, Ruth, Carol, Peter, and Mary.

      Dorothy M. Knapik died on July 16, 1993, with a last residence of Bloomingdale, in Du Page County, Illinois.

      Children of Harry and Dorothy (Ellwanger) Knapik:

      • Dorothea Knapik, daughter of of Harry and Dorothy (Ellwanger) Knapik, married James Mascow in May 1955. They lived in Barrington, Illinois, and retired to Ocala, Florida. James and Dorothea Knapik had four children: Christine Mascow, Teresa Mascow, Carolyn Mascow, and Michael James Mascow.

      • Ruth Knapik, daughter of of Harry and Dorothy (Ellwanger) Knapik, married Richard Nesslar. They lived at Chicago, Illinos. Richard and Ruth Nesslar had two children: Janet Nesslar and Jeffrey Nesslar.

        Ruth Nesslar died on November 16, 1989, in Bull Shoals, Arkansas. Burial was in St. Joseph Cemetery in River Grove, Illinois.

      • Carol Ann Knapik, daughter of of Harry and Dorothy (Ellwanger) Knapik, married John Nordtvedt. They lived at Elk Grove, Illinois. John and Carol Nordtvedt had two children: Karen Nordtvedt and Susan Nordtvedt.

      • Peter Knapik, son of of Harry and Dorothy (Ellwanger) Knapik, married Nora Race. They lived in Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin. Peter and Nora Knapiik had two children: Peter Knapik, Jr., and Jeannie Knapik.

      • Mary Knapik, daughter of of Harry and Dorothy (Ellwanger) Knapik, was married twice, first to Jon Kaufman, and they had two children, Jennifer Kaufman and Amy Kaufman; and second to James Cimms, and they had one child, Jessica Cimms.

    • Frances Ellwanger. Frances Ellwanger died as a small child from a fall out of a window in Chicago, Ilinois.

    • George Ellwanger was born son of George and Felicia (Gerken) Ellwanger. George Ellwanger, Jr., married Mary Ellen O'Farrell. George and Mary Ellen Ellwanger had one child, Karen Ellwanger.

      George Ellwanger died on June 1, 1974, of lung cancer.

    • Richard Ellwanger was born on May 28, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, son of George and Felicia (Gerken) Ellwanger. Richard Ellwanger married Geraldine Anetsberger. Richard "Dick," and Geraldine "Geri" Ellwanger lived at Northbrook, Illinois, where they were members of St. Norbert Catholic Church. Dick spent more than 45 years in the building and construction industry in Illinois and worked for many years at Skokie and Mayfair lumber companies. He also built homes in the western suburbs. His passions in life were his faith, family, travel and golf.

      Richard S. Ellwanger, 78, of Glenview, Illinois, and formerly of Northbrook, Illinois, died Thursday, May 3, 2007, at Lake Forest Hospital. Memorial visitation was from 3 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, May 8, at N.H. Scott & Hanekamp Funeral Home in Glenview. A requiem Mass was celebrated Wednesday, May 9, at St. Norbert Catholic Church in Northbrook, where Richard had been a member for over 50 years.
            Mr. Ellwanger was survived by his wife, Geraldine Ellwanger; five sons, Richard (Donna) of Niles, Ill., George (Jane) of Lake Villa, Ill., Joseph (Susan) of Northbrook, Ill., Ronald (Terry) of Tempe, Ariz., and Timothy (Julia) of Vernon Hills, Ill.; three daughters, Ellen Ellwanger of Glenview, Ill., Ann Marie (Dave) Garner of Bartlett, Ill., and Mary Ann (Michael) Daly of Grayslake, Ill.; and 14 grandchildren, Maureen, Ricky, Elesha, Adam, Zachery, Kevin, Ryan, Gregory, Ashley, Meaghan, Mick, Colleen, Connor, and Matthew. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Margaret Bilodeau and Dorothy Knapik; and a brother, George Ellwanger.

      Obituary information for Richard Ellwanger was accessed online March 15, 2008, from the Chicago Tribune (at http://www.legacy.com/) and the Northbrook Star (http://nl.newsbank.com).

  6. Frances Marie Gerken was born on December 23, 1890, daughter of Herman Conrad and Margaret (Hart) Gerken. She was an operator for the Dubuque (Ia.) Telephone Company and later served as assistant chief operator. Frances Gerken married Joseph Nicholas Loes, of Dyersville, Iowa, on October 28 (29?), 1912, at Sacred Heart Church in Dubuque, Iowa. Joseph Loes was born on September 10, 1888, at Key West, Dubuque County, Iowa, son of Nicholas and Anna Maria (Schuster) Loes.
          Joe and Frances (Gerken) Loes had seven children, Lorraine (Mrs. Bernard Holscher, later Mrs. Francis Schuster), Harold Loes, Jeannette (Mrs. R. J. Vorwald), Mary (Mrs. LaVerne Schaetzle), Clarabelle (Mrs. F. Gerald Baum), Madonna (Mrs. John Dalton), and Francis H. Loes (born in 1913, died 1924).

    Frances M. Loes died on Tuesday, November 29, 1955, at the Delaware County Memorial Hospital after a one-week illness. Services were held Friday, December 2, 1955, at St. Francis Xavier Church in Dyersville, Iowa.

    Her widower Joseph Loes married Estella (Krapfl) Deppe Neyens on November 8, 1957, at Dyersville, Iowa. Stella Krapfl was born on March 13 [14?], 1899, in New Vienna, Iowa. Stella was previously married to William H. Deppe (1896-1923) and Gerhard H. Neyens (1879-1953). Joseph and Stella Loes lived at Dyersville, Iowa.

    Stella Loes died on June 14, 1965, at Dyersville, Iowa.

    Joseph Loes died on November 3, 1970, at Dyersville, Iowa.
    Source for information about Joseph Loes: http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=kempanese&id=I1872

    Children of Joseph and Frances (Gerken) Loes:

    • Francis H. Loes was born on October 21, 1913, son of Joseph and Frances (Gerken) Loes.

      Francis Loes died on March 24, 1924, at age 10 years.

    • Harold Joseph Loes was born on February 22, 1915, son of Joseph and Frances (Gerken) Loes. Harold Loes married Beatrice E. Luehrsmann on September 22, 1942. Beatrice Luehrsmann was born on December 4, 1913, in Dyersville, Iowa, daughter of Bernard H. and Mary (Schulte) Luehrsmann.

      Beatrice Loes, 33, died on August 16, 1947.

      Harold Loes later remarried, to Lucille "Lu" [?] on May 12, 1956, in Dyersville, Iowa.

      Harold "Harry" Loes, 78, of Crete, Illinois, formerly of Dyersville, Iowa, died Monday, February 21, 1994, in St. James Hospital at Chicago Heights, Illinois, after a long illness. Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 26, at the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier in Dyersville. Family and friends called from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, February 25, at Reiff Funeral Home in Dyersville, where a wake service began at 7 p.m.
            Survivors include his wife, Lu; two sons, Rick Loes, of Golf Shores, Ala., and Joseph Loes, of Crete, Ill.; a daughter, Anne Loes, of Normal, Ill.; and four sisters, Lorraine Schuster, Clara Belle Baum, and Mary Schaetzle, all of Dyersville, Ia., and Madonna Dalton of Delhi, Ia.

    • Lorraine Loes was born, daughter of Joseph and Frances (Gerken) Loes. Lorraine Loes married Bernard Holscher. Bernard Holscher was born on January 30, 1913, in Dyersville, Iowa.

      Bernard Holscher died in July 1973.

      Lorraine (Loes) Holscher married Francis Anthony Schuster on May 2, 1975, at St. Francis Xavier Rectory in Dyersville, Iowa. Francis Schuster, who was called "Jake," was born on March 9, 1914, in Bernard, Iowa, son of John Henry and Anna Josephine (Takes) Schuster. Jake and Lorraine Schuster lived at Dyersville, Iowa.
            Jake was previously married to Marguerite "Marge" Stull; they were married on October 21, 1935, in Dubuque; she preceded him in death on April 27, 1974. They had two children, Lois Ann and Carol Jane.
            Jake attended grade school in Cascade and at St. Pat's in North Garryowen and at St. Berchman's Boys School in Marion. He attended St. Francis Xavier High School in Dyersville, and graduated in 1933. Jake then attended Bayless Business College in Dubuque for one year before serving in World War II. After his basic training in North Carolina, Jake served in the Army Medical Corps in Chester, England, and then served 11 months in the United States until the end of the war.
            Then in 1949, he moved back to Dyersville with his family and worked at Scherrmans Motor Co., and then in the computer department at Crescent Electric in Dubuque, Iowa, and East Dubuque, Illinois, where he retired in 1979, after 25 years.
            Jake enjoyed bowling, fishing, golfing, playing cards, woodworking and gardening. He was an avid stamp and coin collector. He also enjoyed his grandchildren and working on the Schuster genealogy with his brother, Howard. Jake was a member of the American Legion Post 137, the Knights of Columbus Council 1734, the Dyersville Area Historical Society, the Dyersville Garden Club and St. Francis Xavier Parish. In his later years Jake lived at the Ellen Kennedy Living Center and then at Oak Crest Manor, both in Dyersville, Iowa.

      Francis "Jake" Schuster, 91, of Dyersville, Iowa, died Friday, October 21, 2005, at Oak Crest Manor in Dyersville, following a lengthy illness. Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 24, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville, with the Rev. Jerry Kopacek officiating. Burial was in St. Francis Cemetery, where military rights were accorded by the American Legion Post 137. Family and friends called from 2 to 8 p.m., Subday, October 23, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, where there was a parish scripture service at 5 p.m., a Knights of Columbus rosary at 6 p.m. and the American Legion Post 137 service at 7 p.m.
            Mr. Schuster was survived by his wife, Lorraine, of Dyersville, Ia.; his daughter, Carol (Harvey) Frederick, of Dubuque, Ia.; three grandchildren, Mike Soens, and Jayne (Charles) DeBrular, both of Phoenix, Ariz., and Tom Soens, of Lake Delhi, Ia.; three great-grandchildren, Tyler Soens and Brady and Cody DeBrular; a stepgreat-grandson, Matt Glanz; a brother, Howard (Delpha) Schuster, of Dyersville, Ia.; a brother-in-law, Harley (Peggy) Stull, of St. Louis Park, Minn.; three sisters-in-law, Mary (LaVerne "Mish") Schaetzle and Clarabelle Baum, both of Dyersville, Ia., and Lucille Loes, of Chicago, Ill.; five stepgrandchildren, Terry Frederick, Lori (David) Ziegenfuss, Shari Frederick, Suzanne (Tim) Monahan and Tammy (Dennis) Lange; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Marge; a daughter, Lois, at age 21; four brothers, Joseph, Wilfred, Melvin and Earl Schuster; two sisters-in-law, Jan Vorwald and Donna Dalton; and six brothers-in-law, Harry Loes, Bob and John Stull, Gerald Baum, Jack Dalton and Dick Vorwald.

    • Jeannette Loes was born on November 16, 1918, in Dyersville, Iowa, daughter of Joseph and Frances (Gerken) Loes. Jeannette Loes, who was called "Jan," married Raymond J. Vorwald on November 20, 1939, in Dyersville, Iowa. Raymond Vorwald, who was called "Dick," was born on December 2, 1911, in Dyersville, Iowa. Dick and Jan Vorwald lived at Dyersville, Iowa. Dick was a tavern owner in Dyersville from 1938 until 1949, and he and Jan owned and operated Dick's Steak House in Dyersville prior to retiring in 1973.

      Raymond J. "Dick" Vorwald, 70, of Dyersville, Iowa, died Thursday morning, January 28, 1982, at Mercy Health Center, St. Joseph's Unit, in Dubuque, Iowa. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, February 1, at the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier in Dyersville, and burial was in the church cemetery. Family and friends called after 7 p.m., Saturday, January 30, at the Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, where the wake service was held at 8 p.m., Sunday, January 31.
            Mr. Vorwald was survived by his wife, Jan; four daughters, Mrs. Jim (Sharon) Gudenkauf and Mrs. Dan (June) Platz, both of Dyersville, Ia.; Donna Sue Vorwald of Winston-Salem, N.C.; and Wendy Vorwald, at home; two sons, Fred Vorwald, of Delhi, Ia., and Barry Vorwald, of Timbergate, Rt. 1, Earlville, Ia; nine grandchildren; and two sisters, Mrs. Leo (Mildred) Pettinger, of Dyersville, Ia.; and Mrs. Marvin (Dorothy) Pennell, of Winston-Salem, N.C.

      Jeannette "Jan" Vorwald, 65, of Dyersville, Iowa, died Tuesday afternoon, April 10, 1984, at Mercy Health Center, St. Joseph's Unit, in Dubuque, Iowa. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 13, at the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier in Dyersville, and burial was in the church cemetery. Family and friends called after 2 p.m., Thursday, April 12, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, where the scripture service was held at 8 p.m.
            Mrs. Vorwald was survived by four daughters, Mrs. Jim (Sharon) Gudenkauf and Mrs. Dan (June) Platz, both of Dyersville, Ia.; Donna Sue Vorwald of Winston-Salem, N.C.; and Wendy Vorwald, of Egan, Minn.; two sons, Fred Vorwald, of Delhi, Ia., and Barry Vorwald, of rural Earlville, Ia; ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild; a brother, Harold Loes, of Chicago, Ill.; and four sisters, Mrs. Jake (Lorraine) Schuster, Mrs. LaVerne (Mary) Schaetzle, and Mrs. F. Gerald (Clarabelle) Baum, all of Dyersville, Ia., and Mrs. Jack (Madonna) Dalton, of Dubuque, Ia.

    • Mary Margaret Loes was born on April 21, 1921, in Dyersville, Iowa, daughter of Joseph N. and Frances (Gerken) Loes. Mary graduated from Xavier High School in Dyersville in the class of 1938. Mary Loes married LaVerne Schaetzle on February 2, 1944, in Dyersville. Mary worked for General Telephone of the Midwest (GTE) as a telephone operator, and later worked in the business office. She also worked at Kramer Funeral Home and Plaza Theatre. Mary headed the Home Visitors Association that distributed Baptismal Medals for 20 years. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Catholic Daughters of the Americas and was a money counter at St. Francis Xavier Parish. She loved sewing, quilting, crocheting, playing cards, and visiting with friends over a beer.

      Mary M. Schaetzle, 85, of Dyersville, Iowa, died Friday, May 5, 2006, at ManorCare Health Services in Dubuque, Iowa, following a long illness. Friends called from 2 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, May 10, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, where there was an American Legion Auxiliary and Catholic Daughters of the Americas Rosary at 4 p.m., and a parish scripture service at 5 p.m. Funeral services were at 10 a.m., Thursday, May 11, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville, with the Rev. Jerry Kopacek officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
            Mrs. Schaetzle was survived by her husband, LaVerne "Mish" Schaetzle, of Dyersville, Ia.; two daughters, Lois (Ed) Pesyna, of Denver, Colo., and Jane (Jim) Niehaus, of New Vienna, Ia.; a son, James (Linda) Schaetzle, of Dubuque, Ia.; five grandchildren, Michelle Niehaus, of Fort Worth, Texas, Tony (Angie) Niehaus, of Raleigh, N.C., Shawn Niehaus, of Chicago, Ill., Brian (Tiphanie) Schaetzle, of Cedar Falls, Ia., and Katie Schaetzle, of Dubuque, Ia.; three great-grandchildren, Isaiah and Josiah Schaetzle and Jenna Niehaus; and two sisters, Lorraine Schuster and Clarabelle Baum, both of Dyersville, Ia. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Harold and Francis Loes, and two sisters, Jan Vorwald and Madonna Dalton.

    • Clarabelle Loes was born, daughter of Joseph and Frances (Gerken) Loes. Clarabelle Loes married Francis Gerald Baum on November 25, 1948, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Dyersville, Iowa. F. Gerald Baum was born on July 10, 1916, in Worthington, Iowa, son of Frank and Clara (Ament) Baum. Gerald and Clarabelle Baum lived at Dyersville, Iowa, where they were members of St. Francis Xavier Church. Gerald and Clarabelle Baum had four children: Kenneth Baum, Elizabeth Baum, Diana Baum, and Laura Baum.
            Gerald Baum was a masonry contractor until his retirement in 1980. He served in the Army during World War II. He also served on the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council from Council from 1973-75. Gerald volunteered his musical talent of singing and playing the piano at nursing homes for 27 years. At times he was accompanied by his mother playing the piano. He sang at the Basilica for special occasions, was a member of Cursillo, Christian Experience Weekend, and the Farley Prayer Group. He also was a member of Legion Post 137 of Dyersville.

      F. Gerald Baum, 84 of Dyersville, Iowa, died after a long illness Tuesday, November 21, 2000, at home. Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m., Friday, November 24, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville. Burial was in St. Francis Cemetery, where military rites were accorded by the American Legion Post 137. Family and friends called from 2 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, November 22, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, where there was a parish scripture service at 4 p.m. and the Dyersville American Legion met at 7 p.m. Family and friends also called from 6 to 9 p.m., Thursday, November 23, at the funeral home.
            He was survived by his wife, Clarabelle; a son, Kenneth (Patti) Baum, of Denver, Colo.; three daughters, Elizabeth (Jim) Baum-Ferree, of Des Moines, Ia., Diana (Dave) Kent, of Davenport, Ia., and Laura (John) Baum-Parr, of Omaha, Neb.; seven grandchildren; a sister, Ruth Dorrington, of Cedar Rapids, Ia.; and a brother, Cletus (Mary) Baum, of Omaha, Neb.; sisters and brothers-in-law, Lorraine (Jake) Schuster and Mary (Laverne) Schaetzle, both of Dyersville, Ia., and Madonna Dalton, of Dubuque, Ia.; and a sister-in-law, Lu Loes, of Chicago, Ill.; and adopted grandchildren, the children of Arnie and Joyce Bries.

    • Madonna Genevieve Loes was born on September 26, 1924, in Dyersville, Iowa, daughter of Joseph and Frances (Gerken) Loes. Madonna was baptized on September 28 by Rev. Warning at St. Francis Xavier Church in Dyersville, Iowa. She graduated from Xavier High School in 1942 and, deciding to become a nurse, went on to the Mercy School of Nursing in Dubuque, Iowa.
            Madonna Loes, who was called "Donnie," married John J. Dalton on February 21, 1946, at St. Francis Xavier Church in Dyersville. John Dalton, who was called "Jack," was born on March 25, 1923, in Chicago, Illinois, son of William L. and Marie C. (Smith) Dalton. Jack's proposal to Donnie was a unique one: while he off serving in the Pacific theater with the U.S. Marines Corps during World War II (where, unfortunately, his legs were severely wounded), he had his mother in Chicago buy an engagement ring and send it to Father Leo Jaeger, who, acting as Jack's proxy, showed up at the Loes home at Christmas, in 1944, to propose to Donnie. She accepted, and a month after he returned home from the war, the pair were married.
            Not only did Father Jaeger perform the proposal for Jack, but he was the one who had engineered their meeting one evening in 1943 to begin with: Jack was attending Loras College in Dubuque on a basketball scholarship, and had become a good friend of Father Jaeger's at Loras (and Jack himself had entertained thoughts about becoming a priest). Father Jaeger, a Dyersville native, encouraged Jack at the time to go to a Mercy dance and look up a student nurse from Dyersville, who was, of course, Madonna Loes.
            After their marriage, Jack and Donnie Dalton first lived at Dyersville for a few years; Donnie continued nursing, and Jack worked at Hogan Motors. They moved to Chicago, where Donnie worked at Ravenwood Hospital. After five years they returned to Iowa, and lived in Dubuque, where Donnie worked at Mercy and Xavier hospitals, and Jack also worked at Mercy, in the boiler maintenance department for many years, after which time he was employed with the Dubuque County Sheriff's Department as a dispatcher for 11 years.
            By 1986, with Jack's health continuing to cause him problems, they retired to Lake Delhi, where they were members of St. John's Parish in Delhi, Iowa. He underwent surgeries in attempts to save his legs, but in the end he had to learn to walk again using prostheses. Donnie worked at the Manchester hospital and at Ennoble Manor, before she finally retired in 1990.
            Jack enjoyed playing cards, singing Irish songs, and he enjoyed baseball, football and basketball, and supported the Chicago teams, Donnie saw Jack through his final illness, and he died in July 1996.
            Jack and Donnie Dalton had one son, John Dalton, whom they had adopted.

      John J. "Jack" Dalton, 73, of Delhi, Iowa, and formerly of Dubuque, Iowa, died at 8:20 a.m., Wednesday, July 24, 1996, at Mercy Health Center, St. Joseph's Unit, in Dubuque. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m., Friday, July 26, at the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier in Dyersville, Iowa, with Father Ed Petty paying tribute to Jack in his eulogy. Burial was in the church cemetery, where military rites were accorded by the Delhi American Legion Post 160. Family and friends called from 3 to 9 p.m., Thursday, July 25, at Reiff Funeral Home in Dyersville, where there was a wake service at 7 p.m.
            Mr. Dalton was survived by his wife, Madonna Dalton; a son, John Joseph Dalton Jr., of Dubuque, Ia.; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, William L. Dalton; and a sister, Mary Kathy Dalton.

      Two years after Jack's death, Donnie moved back to Dubuque, to Alverno Apartments, where her life included her hobbies of cards and watching the Hawkeyes as well as enjoying the community at Alverno.

      Madonna G. "Donnie" Dalton, 76, of Dubuque, Iowa, and formerly of Delhi, Iowa, died Sunday, February 25, 2001, at home. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, March 1, at the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier in Dyersville, Iowa, with Father Ed Petty paying tribute to Donnie in his eulogy. Family and friends called from 3 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, February 28, at Reiff Funeral Home in Dyersville.
            Mrs. Dalton was survived by a son, John Joseph Dalton, of Dubuque, Ia.; and three sisters, Lorraine (Jake) Schuster, Clarabelle Baum and Mary (Laverne) Schaetzle, all of Dyersville, Ia. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John J. "Jack" Dalton, on July 24, 1996; a sister, Mrs. Dick (Jane) Vorwald; and a brother, Harold "Harry" Loes.
      Primary source of information for Jack and Donnie Dalton:
      Father Ed Petty's eulogies for them, which were posted online by their son, John Dalton,
      on his website at http://showcase.netins.net/web/dbqone/, accessed March 7, 2007.

    • Robert Loes, son of Joseph and Frances (Gerken) Loes, was born in 1926. He died in infancy.

      Some information about the Loes family was supplemented by information Dick Kemp has online at
      http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=louiek&id=I3253

Other children of Herman Conrad and Margaret (Hart) Gerken?
      In addition to the two eldest daughters of Herman Conrad and Margaret (Hart) Gerken dying at an early age, one source states that a third daughter had died as well. This could have been Hellena Gerken, a nine-month-old whose date of burial was August 26, 1874.
      A Henry J. Gerken was also recorded in city directories as living with the Gerkens at their home in Dubuque from circa 1899 to 1903, but it seems likely this was their son Joseph Henry Gerken.

Click here for the Gerken family history contents page.

© 2007-09
Tom Larson
P.O. Box 141
Peosta, IA 52068-0141

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tdlarson/gerken/conrad/index.htm
Last revised April 17, 2009.