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Herman Gerken (1819-1875)
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| Frank J. Gerken was a son of William and Elizabeth (Sudmeier) Gerken. Frank was a first cousin to my grandfather, Ewald Gerken. Frank's father William was a brother to Henry Gerken, my great-grandfather. T.L. | ||||
Frank and Anna (Regal) Gerken
Frank Joseph Gerken was born on September 3, 1881, at the Gerken homestead east of Dyersville, Iowa, the third of seven children born to William and Elizabeth (Sudmeier) Gerken. His siblings were Addie, John, Henry, Leo, Rudy, and Molly. Their mother Elizabeth died when Frank was seven years old, and his father William subsequently married Carolina Wuebbelt, and they had six children, Bill, Laura, Oscar, Thecla, Ludwig, and Oliva.
In the early 1900s, Frank and his brother Henry went to Woonsocket, South Dakota. Somewhere out there they raised horses. They lived in a sod house. The first night after arriving they found they couldn't sleep in the house because bugs (bed bugs?) were eating them up. So they slept in the hay in the barn. The next day they set each post of the bed in a tin can filled with kerosene--no more bugs. A few months later, company was coming, so they cleaned house and found the cans to be full of bugs. During the hot summer days, they hung a horse blanket over the door and kept a bucket of water near. With a dipper they would wet the blanket and had a water-cooled house. They had to take the company back to catch the train, and they made the trip with a horse and buggy. A bad storm caught them and they got lost--it got dark also. They just let the horse go his way, and he took them home (they claimed the horse was blind). As time passed a drought hit, which was not an unusual occurrence, and so with no grass, they sold the horses, abandoned the homestead, and returned to Iowa. Frank used to tell this story frequently.
Marriage of Frank Gerken and Anna Regal
The marriage of Miss Anna Regal and Mr. Frank Gerken was solemnized at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Waverly, Iowa, on Tuesday morning, September 3, 1912. The Reverend Father William Kunkel of South Garryowen, Iowa, a cousin of the groom, performed the ceremony. The nuptial high mass was celebrated by Rev. Father Lundon [sp?]. The attendants were Mr. Will Gerken and Miss Laura Gerken.
The bride was attired in a gown of cream messaline and the bridesmaid in a dress of white embroidery.
Frank Gerken was described as a young man of excellent character and good business ability, and Miss Regal was described as as a popular young lady of Nashua.
A wedding breakfast was served at Nashua after the marriage ceremony, after which the happy couple took the train for Dyersville, where they visited the parents of the groom. They went to housekeeping at Nashua upon their return. The Dyersville Commercial wished them success and happiness in their matrimonial venture.
The headline for the newspaper account of their wedding, which appeared in the Commercial on Friday, September 6, 1912, mistakenly stated that the couple had been married at Nashua.
At the time of his marriage, Frank Gerken, had been in the blacksmith business for the previous five years at Nashua under the firm name of Gerken Bros. & Tegeler. The bride had been a nurse at the Waverly hospital for the previous five years. Frank and Anna Gerken lived and farmed at Waverly, Iowa; Charles City, Iowa; and Colby, Wisconsin, before returning to Dyersville, Iowa.
Frank Gerken dies.
Eighty-eight year old Frank J. Gerken of Dyersville, Iowa, departed this life at the family home, 127 2nd Ave. S.W., on Saturday night, November 29, 1969.
The McBride Funeral at Dyersville had charge of the arrangements. The funeral mass was celebrated at 10:30 a.m. in the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier at Dyersville by Monsignor John H. Mayer on Wednesday, December 3. Interment was in St. Francis Cemetery at Dyersville. The pallbearers were Vic Tegeler, George Willenborg, Louis Klostermann, Eldon Albang, Bernard Holscher, and George Reicher. The parish rosary was recited at 8 p.m. in the McBride Funeral Home on Tuesday evening, December 2.
Mr. Gerken was survived by his widow, Anna; two sons, James R. Gerken of San Leandro, Calif., and Giles E. Gerken of Martelle, Calif.; two daughters, Mrs. Joseph (Mary) Bildstein and Mrs. Edward (Rita) Kruse, both of Dyersville, Ia. There are 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Also surviving are three brothers, Henry Gerken of Dubuque, Ia., Oscar Gerken of Guttenberg, Ia., and William H. Gerken of Amarillo, Texas, and three sisters, Mrs. Ben (Molly) Willenborg and Mrs. Clem (Thecla) Bruggeman, both of Dyersville, Ia., and Mrs. William (Olive) Jansen of Umbarger, Texas.
Mr. Gerken was preceded in death by one son, Ray, in World War II; four brothers; and one sister.
Anna (Regal) Gerken, 100, dies.
Mrs. Anna C. Gerken, 100, of Dyersville, Iowa, died Thursday night, January 24, 1991, at Mercy Health Center, St. Mary's Unit, Dyersville.
Services were at 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 28, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica, Dyersville. Burial was in the church cemetery. Friends called after 2 p.m. Sunday, January 27, at the Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville.
Mrs. Gerken was survived by two sons, James R. Gerken of San Leandro, Calif., and Giles E. Gerken of Martelle, Calif.; two daughters, Mary P. Bildstein of Dyersville, Ia., and Rita Kruse of Martelle, Calif., formerly of Dyersville; nine grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son, Raphael W. Gerken, in 1951, a granddaughter, and a grandson in 1988.
Children of Frank and Anna (Regal) Gerken:
- Raphael William Gerken was born on September 20, 1913, at Waverly, Iowa, son of Frank and Anna (Regal) Gerken. Raphael, who was called "Ray," spent his boyhood days at Colby, Wisconsin, with his parents, attended Woodland school, and had many friends. Raphael Gerken arried Georgina Gallasini at Bernalillo, New Mexico. Ray and Georgina Gerken had one child, Patti Rae Gerken.
Raphael W. "Ray" Gerken died on December 29, 1951, at the Veterans Hospital in Oakland, California, complications resulting from wounds received in World War II being the cause of his death. Funeral services were held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Sonora, Calif., where he lived, on January 3rd. Burial was made in St. Patrick Mountain View Cemetery at Sonora, California.
Surviving are his wife and daughter; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gerken of Dyersville, Iowa; two brothers, James and Giles, of Oakland, Calif.; two sisters, Mary and Rita, of Dyersville, Iowa.
Obituary information from the Colby Phonograph (Colby, Clark County, Wis.), 01/24/1952,
posted online at http://www.usgennet.org/usa/wi/county/clark/webbbs/records/index.cgi?read=41194 - James Romane Gerken was born on August 27, 1918, at Nashua, Iowa, son of Frank and Anna (Regal) Gerken. James Gerken, who was called "Jim," married Mary Margaret Harritt on November 19, 1944, at Des Moines, Iowa. Mary Margaret Harritt, who was called "Peggy," was born on July 5, 1925, in Iowa. Jim and Peggy Gerken had two children, Mary Kay Gerken and Margaret Ann Gerken. They lived at San Leandro, California.
Jim and Peggy were members of St. John's Catholic Church in San Lorenzo, and Peggy was the church's secretary for over 40 years. She also was a member of the St. Gerard Women's Club at St. John's. Jim was an aircraft mechanic for Alameda Naval Air Station. He had proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. Jim was active in the American Legion, NARFE, and AARP. He enjoyed gardening, woodworking, fishing, and hunting.James R. Gerken entered peacefully into rest at his San Leandro, California, home on Tuesday, September 4, 2001, at approximately 4:30 a.m., of liver cancer. He was 83. Visitation for James was 1 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 6, at Grissom's San Lorenzo Chapel/Mortuary, 267 E. Lewelling Blvd., San Lorenzo, California. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 7, at St. John's Catholic Church, 264 E. Lewelling Blvd., San Lorenzo. James was laid to rest at San Joaquin National Cemetery, near Gustine, California.
Mr. Gerken was survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Mary "Peggy" Gerken of San Leandro; daughters, Mary K. Mendez of Cottonwood, Idaho, and Margaret Ann Goldsmith of Gault, Calif.; brother, Giles E. Gerken of Martell, Calif.; sister, Mary P. Bildstein of Dyersville, Ia.; 4 grandchildren; and many cherished friends.
Source for Jim Gerken's obituary information: Obituary published in the ANG Newspapers on 9/6/2001, posted online at
http://www.legacy.com/insidebayarea/LegacySubPage2.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=86847
Mary Margaret "Peggy" Gerken entered peacefully into rest in Galt, California, on Thursday, May 30, 2002. She was 76 years of age. Visitation for Peggy was held on Tuesday, June 4, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Grissom's San Lorenzo Chapel/Mortuary in San Lorenzo. A vigil service was held Tuesday, at 7 p.m. at the chapel. A funeral liturgy was held on Wednesday, June 5, at 10 a.m. at St. John's Catholic Church in San Lorenzo. Graveside services were held on Thursday, June 6, at 10:30 a.m. at San Joaquin National Cemetery in Gustine.
She was preceded in death by her husband James in September of 2001. She is the beloved mother of Mary K. Mendez of Cottonwood, Idaho; Margaret Ann Goldsmith of Galt, Calif.; devoted grandmother of 4 grandchildren; dearest sister of Patrick Harritt of Texas and Dorothy Ann Dowie of Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.
Source for Jim Gerken's obituary information: Obituary published in the ANG Newspapers on 6/2/2002
http://www.legacy.com/insidebayarea/LegacySubPage2.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=352370 - Mary Petronelia Gerken was born at Colby, Wisconsin, daughter of Frank and Anna (Regal) Gerken. She married Joseph H. Bildstein on February 18, 1941. Joseph Bildstein was born on May 17, 1917, at Petersburg, Iowa. Joseph and Mary Bildstein farmed. Joseph served as president of New Voice Club. Joseph and Mary Bildstein had four children, Patricia Bildstein, Karolyn Bildstein, Brenda Bildstein, and Jean Bildstein. They retired to Dyersville, Iowa.
Joseph H. Bildstein, 71, of Dyersville, Iowa, died Friday, November 11, 1988, at Mercy Health Center, St. Mary's Unit, in Dyersville. Services were held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, November 14, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville, with burial in the church cemetery. Family and friends called after 2 p.m., Sunday, November 13, at the Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, where the parish wake service was held at 8 p.m.
Mr. Bildstein was survived by his wife, the former Mary P. Gerken; three daughters, Mrs. Richard (Patricia) Lammers, of Scottsdale, Ariz., Mrs. Roger (Brenda) Knipper of Monticello, Ia., and Mrs. David (Jean) Tallant of West Des Moines, Ia.; 10 grandchildren; four brothers, Lawrence Bildstein and Cletus Bildstein, both of Dyersville, Ia., Clarence Bildstein of Petersburg, Ia., and Ambrose Bildstein of Cedar Rapids, Ia.; and two sisters, Irene Kruse of Dyersville, Ia., and Mrs. Gerald (Rita Mae) Engelken of New Vienna, Ia.. A daughter, Karolyn Smith, died July 20, 1988. - Rita Ariel Gerken, November 14, 1922, at Colby, Wisconsin, daughter of Frank and Anna (Regal) Gerken. She married Edward Henry Kruse on October 7, 1941, at Petersburg, Iowa. Edward and Rita Kruse lived at Dyersville, Iowa, and they had four children, Kathryn Kruse, Ann Kruse, William Kruse, and David Kruse. Rita was a quality control inspector for The Ertl Company, Dyersville, until her retirement in 1988.
Edward H. Kruse, 62, of Dyersville, Iowa, died Sunday, October 9, 1977, at Veterans Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. Family and friends called after 2 p.m., Tuesday, October 11, at the Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, where the Scripture Wake Service was held at 8 p.m. Funeral ervices were held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, October 12, at the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier, Dyersville, with burial in the church cemetery, where military honors were accorded by the American Legion Post 137.
Mr. Kruse was survived by his wife, the former Rita Gerken; two daughters, Mrs. Ray (Kay Lynne) Budnicki of Bay Head, N.J., and Mrs. Roland (Ann) Edwards of Dartmouth, Mass.; two sons, Bill Kruse of Moline, Ill., and David Kruse of Iowa City, Ia..; three grandchildren; four sisters, Mrs. Leander (Irene) Bruggemann and Mrs. Arnold (Dorothy) Klostermann, and Mrs. Clarence (Charlotte) Billstein, all of Petersburg, Ia., and Mrs. Alfred (Evelyn) Koppman of New Vienna, Ia..Rita A. Kruse, 70, of West Palm Beach, Florida, and formerly of Dyersville, Iowa, died after a long illness on Tuesday morning, August 24, 1993, at home. Family and friends called after 2 p.m., Thursday, August 26, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, where there was a parish wake service at 8 p.m. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, August 27, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Mrs. Kruse was survived by two daughters, Mrs. Katheryn Budnicki of Stafford, Va., and Mrs. Ann Edwards of West Palm Beach, Fla.; a son, David Kruse of Fredericksburg, Va.; four grandchildren; a sister, Mary Bildstein of Dyersville, Ia.; and two brothers, James Gerken of San Leandro, Calif., and Giles Gerken of Martell, Calif.. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward H. Kruse, in October 1977, and a son, William E. Kruse. - Giles Edward Gerken was born at Colby, Wisconsin, son of of Frank and Anna (Regal) Gerken. Giles Gerken lives at Martell, California.
Sources include an account of the marriage and Frank Gerken's obituary from the Dyersville Commercial and Anna Gerken's and others' obituaries from the Dubuque Telegraph Herald, A Family Tree of the William Gerken Family (1986) by Sister Margaret Gerken, and e-mail correspondence from Giles Gerken, son of Frank and Anna Gerken.
Click here for the Gerken family history contents page.
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