William Gerken and Elizabeth Sudmeier
William Gerken and Carolina Wuebbelt

William Gerken was born at New Vienna on November 9, 1853, to Herman and Mary Catherine (Schulte) Gerken, the the third of eight children born to Herman and Mary Catherine (Schulte) Gerken. William's given name in German is Wilhelm, and this was what he was often called by family as well as the German community.

William resided at New Vienna until he was thirteen years of age, when he moved with his parents to the Gerken homestead east of Dyersville. He attended the rural and parochial schools at Dyersville and spent about a year studying at Dubuque, Iowa, and thereafter assisted his father on the farm. At the death of his father in 1875, he took over the Gerken homestead.

Elizabeth "Lizzie" (Sudmeier) Gerken

Marriage of William Gerken and Elizabeth "Lizzie" Sudmeier.
On April 20, 1877, he married Miss Elizabeth Sudmeier at St. Francis Church in Dyersville, with the Reverend Father Anton Kortenkamp presiding. They then went to housekeeping on the Gerken homestead. Maria Elizabeth Sudmeier, called Lizzie, was born on January 2, 1856 at Petersburg, Iowa, to John Bernard and Adelaid (Poggeman) Sudmeier.

Children of William and Elizabeth (Sudmeier) Gerken were seven children:

The Gerken household in 1880.
The 1880 U.S. Census has the Gerken household consisting of William, age 26, farmer; Elisebeth, age 24, keeping house; Adelheid, age 1; and John B., age 5 months; Alois Gerken, age 17, works on farm; and Elisebeth Norry, age 15, domestic servant. Alois Gerken was William's younger brother, who came to be known by the name Louis.

Elizabeth (Sudmeier) Gerken dies.
This happy home was saddened on October 26, 1888, when Mrs. William Gerken, née Elizabeth Sudmeier, was called to her reward. She was buried at the St. Francis Xavier cemetery at Dyersville.

William and Carolina (Wuebbelt) Gerken

Marriage of William Gerken and Carolina Wuebbelt.
On June 3, 1890, Mr. William Gerken married Miss Carolina Wuebbelt at St. Francis Church in Dyersville, with Monsignor G. W. Heer officiating. She was born in Coesfeld, Germany, May 26, 1856. Her education was received in her native village, and she grew to young womanhood there. In the year 1890, Miss Wuebbelt emigrated to this country, coming directly to Dyersville, and made her home with her uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Rothaus, whose home was located on the lots later known as the city park. After the marriage, William and Carolina settled down to housekeeping on the Gerken farm east of Dyersville. In 1900 the Gerken household consisted of William and Caroline and their children, Adelaide, John B., Henry, Rudolph, Amelia, Willie, Laura, Oscar, Tecla, and Ludwig, as named in that year's U.S. Census.

Children of William and Carolina (Wuebbelt) Gerken:

front seat: Frank (passenger) and Leo (at wheel). rear seat: Henry (wearing hat) and Rudy 1908 Model T.

Carolina, Oliva, and William Gerken on the Gerken homestead east of Dyersville, Iowa.

Gerkens travel to Germany.
In 1914 William and Carolina Gerken travelled to Germany for a visit to the old country. William Gerken was the son of a German immigrant, and Carolina herself had been born in Germany, and they were travelling to see relatives still in Germany. They left in June and did not return to Dyersville until late October. The excerpts that follow were chosen for their relevance to the Gerken heritage and for their historical value on the eve of World War I.

GERKENS ARRIVE HOME SAFE FROM GERMANY
DYERSVILLE PEOPLE RETURN BY WAY OF ROTTERDAM HOLLAND
Thousands of Americans Still Awaiting Turn To Return Home.
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Gerken arrived home Tuesday, October 27, 1914, from their trip to Europe, coming to New York on the steamer Rotterdam by way of Holland. Considerable anxiety had been felt for the safety of Mr. and Mrs. Gerken for some time and the report of their arrival at New York came as good news to the members of the family and the friends of Mr. and Mrs. Gerken.

The Gerkens left for Germany in June, before there were any signs of the present conflict. When the war broke out, the mail service was crippled, and it was many weeks at a time that the children here failed to hear from their parents. Becoming anxious for their safety, the matter was taken up with the department, and in due time word was received from Secretary Bryan, stating that Mr. and Mrs. Gerken were safe in their old home and were preparing to return to America. The only route that ships are in operation is by way of Rotterdam and the thousands of Americans who were anxious to return home had to wait their turn, hence the delay in the return home of the Gerkens.

Mr. Gerken stated that the trip was an exceedingly perilous one, especially so passing through the channel and other coast waters, where most likely mines are planted. An English pilot took the boat through the channel, and when the high seas were safely reached the passengers cheered.

Mr. and Mrs. Gerken made the trip to Europe on the steamer "Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse," which has since been sent to the bottom of the ocean, striking a mine. They returned on the Rotterdam.

Conditions are not serious in Germany, according to the statements made by Mr. Gerken. He says that things have been greatly exaggerated. [This report seems a bit incredulous considering what William Gerken had written in his diary of things he had seen.]

The William and Carolina Gerken family picture standing, l to r: William, Leo, Ludwig, John, Henry, Oscar, Frank, Rudy, Addie, Laura, Molly, Oliva, Thecla sitting: William and Carolina (Wuebbelt) Gerken     inset, upper right: Elizabeth (Sudmeier) Gerken Elizabeth, William's first wife, died in 1888. Addie, John, Frank, Henry, Leo, Rudy, and Molly were William and Elizabeth's children. Born to William and Carolina were William, Laura, Oscar, Thecla, Ludwig, and Oliva.

William and Carolina Gerken retire.
On September 6, 1921, the Gerkens retired from farming and moved to Dyersville, where they lived with their daughter Oliva. Their son Oscar farmed the Gerken homestead for several years, but during the Depression it passed out of Gerken hands when it was sold to Herman Nadermann.

William Gerken died on Wednesday, August 30, 1922. Mr. Gerken was nearly 69 years old at the time of his demise. His death followed an illness of six months duration, and his death certificate has the cause of his death as carcinoma of the liver with a contributory cause being anemia. He was survived by his wife and all thirteen of his children; he was also survived by his brother Louis of Dyersville; his sisters, Mrs. Mary Kerkhoff of Petersburg; and Mrs. Mike (Carolina "Lena") Steger of Norcross, Minn.; and 28 grandchildren.

REMAINS OF MR. GERKEN ARE LAID TO REST
FUNERAL HELD LAST SATURDAY MORNING WAS LARGELY ATTENDED.
Interment Made In The Family Lot in the St. Francis Cemetery.
The funeral of the late Mr. William Gerken, one of Dyersville's highly esteemed citizens, of whose death mention was made in the previous issue of the Commercial, was held last Saturday morning, September 2, 1922, at 9:30 o'clock, from the family home to the St. Francis church. Solemn requiem mass was read for the repose of his soul by his son, Reverend Leo Gerken, assisted by another son, Reverend Rudolph Gerken, of Ranger, Texas, as deacon, and Reverend Father William Kunkel, of Raymond, Ia., a nephew of the deceased, as sub-deacon. Rev. Francis A. Mullen, of Dubuque, Ia., was master of ceremonies. Monsignor George W. Heer of Dubuque delivered the sermon and paid high tribute to the life of the deceased. There was also present in the sanctuary the following priests:

Very Rev. Theodore T. Warning, Dyersville, Ia. Rev. Thomas J. Rooney, Manchester, Ia. Rev. Anthony Gerken, New Vienna, Ia. Rev. Wm. Kerp, Farley, Ia. Rev. Joseph H. Schilmoeller, Worthington, Ia. Rev. Edward J. Dougherty, Oelwein, Ia. Rev. Henry J. Dunkel, Earlville, Ia. Rev. Anton L. Lorenz, Dyersville, Ia.

Rev. Wm. Rannaid, Bankston, Ia. Rev. Henry J. Loosbrock, Petersburg, Ia. Rev. F. Schulz, Worthington, Ia. Rev. August R. Thier, Dubuque, Ia. Rev. John B. Albers, Cascade, Ia. Rev. John J. Murtagh, Edgewood, Ia. Rev. Louis Iekel, Dyersville, Ia. Rev. Henry C. Scharphoff

After requiem mass the funeral cortege, the largest in Dyersville for a long time, wended its way to St. Francis Cemetery, where interment was made in the family lot. His son Rev. Father Rudolph Gerken officiated at the grave. The pallbearers were Messrs. Adam Strekl, John Holscher, Aug. Goerdt, William Althaus, Wm. Lappe, John Goetzinger.

Oscar, William, John, Ludwig, William Gerken, Leo, Henry, Frank, and Rudolph (left to right) were all members of the Knights of Columbus.

Nine members of Family are K.C.'s.
Mr. Gerken and his eight sons were staunch members of the Knights of Columbus, and the council of the city attended the funeral in a body.

Mr. Gerken's life was lived in accord with the teachings of his faith, having been a consistent member of the Catholic church, and when death summoned him, he was well prepared to meet his Maker. All thru his spell of sickness, he was patient, never uttering a word of complaint, although at times his suffering was intense. His death was due to complications. He was devoted to his wife and family, his every act being for their welfare, and with his removal from this vale of tears, a void will be felt in the family circle, to which he devoted untiring years of happiness and service. He has reared a family of thirteen children, of whom he was justly proud, two of his sons having entered the state of holy priesthood. He was a man of excellent character, upright and honest and sincere in purpose; he made hosts of friends and helped them when the opportunity presented itself. Perseverance and patience, two noble qualities which bespoke the pioneer, dominated his character and made him a man among men, and his presence will not only be missed in the home, but by a wide circle of friends, who were stricken with deepest sorrow when it became known that Mr. Gerken had died. Deceased was very successful as an agriculturist, and living here over half a century, he did much toward the development of the now fertile fields in this vicinity.

He labored continuously until 1921, when he and his wife went to Dyersville to live. His time of retirement, to enjoy the fruits of his labor on this earth, however, was cut short, and he was called to receive a better reward which he so richly deserved. Heartfelt sympathy is extended the devoted wife and sorrowing children in the loss of a beloved husband and father.

Among the relatives present at the funeral were:

Mr. and Mrs. Alois Tegeler, and children Ivo and Luma, Nashua, Ia. Frank Gerken, Colby, Wisc. Mr. and Mrs. Clem Bruggeman, Edgewood, Ia. Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Gerken, New Vienna, Ia. Mrs. Mary Kerkhoff, Petersburg, Ia. Mrs. Mike Steger, Norcross, Minn. Mrs. Mary Goedken, Dubuque. Ia.. F. X. Gerken, New Vienna, Ia. Mr. and Mrs. John Link, daughter Valeria, Guttenberg, Ia. Mr. and Mrs. George Noethe, Bloomington, Wis.

Miss Paula Kunkel, Ossian, Ia. Mrs. Jos. Fritz, Cresco, Ia. Mr. and Mrs. George Gerken, Dubuque, Ia. Ewald Gerken, Dubuque, Ia. Ben Sudmeier, Timber Lake, S.D. Wm. Gerken and 2 sons, Chicago, Ill. Mrs. Herman Gerken, Chicago, Ill. Misses Martha and Dorothy Ellwanger, Chicago, Ill. Mrs. F. X. Mayer, Minnneapolis, Minn. Mr. Jos. Schroeder, Dedham, Ia.

Mrs. Carolina Gerken moves to Amarillo, Texas.
In 1928 Mrs. Carolina Gerken and her daughter Oliva moved to Amarillo, Texas, and took up residence with Carolina's stepson, Bishop Rudolph Gerken.

In Texas, circa 1929: In back, left to right: Ray Goedken, John Slavik, Ludwig Gerken. In front, left to right: Olive Gerken, Carolina Gerken, Bishop Gerken, Leah Tegeler, Carl Knopp.

Notes. Ray Goedken was a son of John Theodore Goedken, a cousin of Bishop Gerken through his natural mother's lineage. Carolina Gerken was his stepmother. Olive Gerken and Ludwig Gerken were siblings of the bishop. Leah Tegeler was a niece of the bishop's, a daughter of his sister Addie. Photo contributed by Gary Goedken, Ray Goedken's son.

MRS. CAROLINA GERKEN DIED AT AMARILLO, TEXAS
DEATH FOLLOWED AN ILLNESS OF SEVERAL MONTHS' DURATION.
Passed away at the Home of Her Son Bishop R. A. Gerken Saturday Afternoon.
Word was received in Dyersville by Mr. John Gerken Saturday night of the death of his mother, Mrs. Carolina Gerken, which occurred at the house of her son, Bishop R. A. Gerken, at Amarillo, Texas, last Saturday afternoon, November 23, 1929, at 5:15 o'clock, on November 23, 1929, after an illness of several months' duration, due to complications.

Deceased is survived by the following children: Adeline, Mrs. A. Tegeler, Nashua; John of Dyersville; Frank of Colby, Wis.; Henry, Dyersville; Bishop R. A. Gerken, Amarillo, Tex.; Amelia, Mrs. Ben Willenborg; Wm. of Monona, Ia.; Laura, Mrs. Ed. Klostermann; Oscar on the homestead; Thecla, Mrs. Clem Bruggemann, Earlville; and Olivia and Ludwig, of Amarillo, Texas. One son, Rev. Leo Gerken, preceded her in death in the year 1923.

Mrs. Gerken was a woman of many noble traits of character. Her moral and religious life was modeled as the founder of the church and patterned in the true Christian mother. She was an untiring helpmate to her deceased husband, always ready to take life's burden on herself, fulfilling all duties in her home and towards her children. Her home life was ideal, her thoughts always being centered in providing happiness for the family circle. Her many acts of kindness and good example set will ever remain as a guiding star to those who remain to carry on. Heartfelt sympathy is extended to the bereaved children in the loss of their devoted mother.

The remains arrived in Dyersville from Texas Tuesday night and were taken to the home of her son John, corner of South Tempe and DeWitt Streets, from where the funeral was held Thursday morning at 9:30 o'clock on November 28, 1929.

REMAINS OF MRS. GERKEN WERE LAID TO REST.
FUNERAL SERVICES HELD IN ST. FRANCIS CHURCH ON LAST THURSDAY MORNING.
Pontifical Highmass Sung by Her Son Rt. Rev. Bishop R. A. Gerken.
The funeral of the late Mrs. Carolina Gerken, of whose death mention was made in last week's issue of the Commercial, was held Thursday morning at 9:30 o'clock from the home of her son John to St. Francis Church.

A Pontifical Requiem High Mass was sung by her son, the Rt. Rev. Rudolph A. Gerken, bishop of Amarillo, assisted by Rev. August R. Thier, of Columbia College, Dubuque, Ia., as archpriest; Rev. William A. Kunkel of Raymond, Ia., nephew of the deceased, as deacon, and Rev. Joseph H. Schilmoeler of Worthington, Ia., as sub-deacon.

Deacons of Honor: Rev. Patrick J. Coffey, Farley, Ia., and Rev. A. Wuchter. Mitre bearer: Rev. John H. Mayer Candle bearer: Rev. Joseph F. Wiehl, Chester, Ia. Book bearer: Rev. Ernest P. Ament Masters of Ceremonies: Rev. Leo A. Jaeger, Andover, Ia., and Rev. F. Kaminski, chancellor of the Amarillo diocese.
other priests in the sanctuary were:
Rev. Henry A. Reinert, New Vienna, Ia. Rev. Theodore T. Warning, Dyersville, Ia. Rev. Arnold Boeding, Sacred Heart, Dubuque, Ia. Rev. Joseph A. Dupont, Guttenberg, Ia. Rev. John A. Steinlage, Dyersville, Ia. Rev. William A. Banfield, Bankston, Ia.	Rev. William J. Weirich, Holy Ghost, Dubuque, Ia. Rev. Joseph J. Klott, Columbia College of Dubuque, Ia. Rev. Aloysius J. Thole, Luxemburg, Ia. Rev. Nicholas Krull, Plymouth, Ia. Rev. Michael L. Kerper, Nativity Church, Dubuque, Ia.

Rev. Henry J. Dunkel, of Earlville, Ia., delivered a very able sermon, paying a high tribute to the life of the deceased. Father Dunkel's sermon was very timely and instructive. After services at the church, the funeral cortege wended its way to St. Francis cemetery, where interment was made in the family lot, her remains being laid to rest beside those of her late husband. The casket was borne by Messrs. Joe Lansing, George Nadermann, John Meyer, William Althaus, John Keuter, Joe Tegeler.

Out of town relatives and friends at the funeral were Ludwig Gerken and Olive Gerken, both of Amarillo, Texas; Frank Gerken, of Colby, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. Alois Tegeler, of Nashua, Ia.; and Mr. and Mrs. William Gerken, of Monona, Ia., all children of the deceased; Mrs. Eva Steger Bauer, of Madison, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. George Noethe, of Bloomington, Wis.; Miss Paula Kunkel, of Ossian, Ia.; Mr. Hubert Gerken, of Adrian, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. George Schumaker, of Dubuque, Ia.; Messrs. Ewald Gerken, Fred Scheyer, George Koob and son Clarence, of Dubuque, Ia.; and Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Mormann, of Elma, Ia.

Funeral Services in Texas.
Funeral services for the deceased were also held at Amarillo, Texas, on Monday morning, previous to their leaving for this city, and were held in Sacred Heart Cathedral. The Southern Messenger of San Antonio had the following regarding the funeral services held there:

Pontifical High Mass was offered by Bishop Gerken, assisted by the deacons of honor, the Rev. J. J. Dolje and the Very Rev. T. D. O'Brien, and the deacons of the mass, the Rev. B. O'Brien and the Rev. G. A. Boeckman. Masters of Ceremonies were the Rev. F. M. Kaminsky and the Rev. J. S. Wonderly.

The body of Mrs. Gerken was accompanied to Dyersville by Bishop Rudolph Gerken, his brother Ludwig T., his sister Olive, and the Rev. F. M. Kaminsky. The remains will be laid to rest Thursday morning.

Mrs. Gerken had received all the consolations of religion before her death, which ended a long illness borne with edifying resignation.

Sources include news articles from the pages of the Dyersville Commercial, Dubuque County, Iowa, courthouse records, Dyersville: Its History and Its People; and a transcription of a diary kept by William Gerken while on a trip to Germany in 1914. Images of William and Carolina (Wuebbelt) Gerken, the Gerken family, and the nine Gerken men were furnished by Giles Gerken. The image of Elizabeth (Sudmeier) Gerken was furnished by Sheila Young.

© 2000-04 Tom Larson P.O. Box 141 Peosta, IA 52068-0141 http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tdlarson/gerken/william/ Last revised October 30, 2004.