William H. Kerndt 1859 - 1944

KERNDT, NIERLING, WIECKING

Posted By: Henry Brainard (email)
Date: 2/17/2009 at 11:48:51

William H. Kerndt, pioneer settler of Makee township, died Sunday night about 11 p.m. at the family home following an extended period of ill health. After disposing of his farm last fall, on which he was born, raised and died, he had made all preparations to retire from active life and was preparing to move to Lansing to speed his remaining days with his sister, Miss Anna H. Kerndt, when taken ill last December. He has since been confined to bed and suffered great from inflammatory rheumatism all these months, during which time he bore his sufferings without a murmur.

He was born December 18, 1859, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Kerndt, who were both natives of Germany. His father was one of the five Kerndt Brothers, who came to this country in 1853. He was educated in the rural schools.

On May 19, 1891, he was married to Miss Lena Nierling of the French Creek township and they established their home on the Kerndt homestead, where by hard work and perseverance they built up a fine country home, which is owned by his eldest son, Herman, who since his marriage has always resided on the home farm.

Mrs. Kerndt died on October 5, 1923, and a year following, October 5, 1924, a son Willard died. He is survived by one daughter, Miss Marie, who was her father’s constant attendant during his illiness and administered every care and devotion to him. He is survived by four sons, Herman at home, Leslie of that vicinity, T. E. of Waukon, and Clarence of Makee township, all of whom are (sic) bereft of a kind father. There are two remaining sisters in the family, Miss Anna of Lansing, and Mrs. Herman Wiecking of Mankato, Minn., and 13 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one daughter and two sons, and two brothers and three sisters.

Mr. Kerndt was the kindest neighbor and true friend. He was a gentleman of the “old school” whose ranks are fast being reduced, a life-long friends of the Journal, and will be sadly missed by old-true friends and acquaintances throughtout the county.

Mr. Kerndt was a member of the Woodmen and Yeomen orders.

Funeral services were held at the family home Wednesday afternoon conducted by the Rev. Henry Marks, former pastor of the Congregational church in Churchtown, but now of Early, Iowa. Burial was made in the family lot in the Englehorn cemetery near Churchtown. Casket bearers were Herbert Hartong, Jerry Regan, William Whalen, Ben Decker, Charles Rissman, and Ben Marti. A niece, Miss Anna Wiecking, of Mankato, came Monday to attend the last rites.

The sympathy of their many friends, the Journal included, are extended to the relatives of Mr. Kerndt.

From the collection of obits of Mrs. Janet Koozer