Aschom, Walter H. 1891-1959

ASCHOM, SANDERSON, KEMPTER, WILLETT, HURM, RIEK, LAGESON

Posted By: Paul Moritz (deceased)
Date: 8/17/2010 at 08:28:45

PROMINENT BUSINESSMAN BURIED SUNDAY P.M.
It is again our sad duty to chronicle the death of a lifelong friend, Walter H. Aschom, whose death occurred last Thursday evening at the Lutheran Hospital in LaCrosse following a major operation.
He was born February 15, 1891 at Lansing, a son of George Aschom and Caroline Sanderson, and one of several children. He attended the city schools and as a youth enrolled at the Wisconsin Business University in LaCrosse where he went to work in a grocery store before World War I service and for a short time afterwards. On November 1, 1920 he was married to Lois Kempter at Houston, Minn. and Lansing has since been his home. Besides his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Carolyn, Mrs. Richard Willet of Lakeland Michigan; one son Thomas of Chicago, and two grandchildren. Other immediate survivors include two brothers, George of Lansing and Leonard of Marquette, Mich. and one sister Elvina, Mrs. Joe Hurm, of Milwaukee, Wis. Besides his parents, one brother Helmar and two sisters, Mrs. John Lageson (Klara) and Mrs. Clem Riek (Anga) preceded him in death.
He and his brother George purchased the R.A. Cavers grocery business in September of 1919 and moved the business to the Nielander location in 1926 where it now stands. With little time from extensive business interests he became a charter member of the Lansing Kiwanis Club and served as both president and secretary-treasurer. He was a charter member of more than forty years in the Beck-Strong-Glynn Post No. 50 of the American Legion and served it as commander. He was a past Worshipful Master of the the Masonic Lodge, Evergreen Chapter, no. 144 and has been an elder of the First Presbyterian Church since 1926. Active in community affairs, he served as city alderman in 1930 and unceasingly worked for the betterment of the town, school and church. Without attempts at panegyric we would have to say "Walt" was one of the best in Lansing. Honest, industrious and fair in his dealings with all acquaintances, they made lasting friendships with him and to those who knew him his passing seems almost a tragedy. He will not soon be forgotten for his accommodating ways and we know there are many besides the family who will miss him. He loved the great outdoor life on the river being an adept hunter and fisherman during his limited free time.
A private family service was held at the Burke Funeral Chapel at about 11:30 Sunday morning and at two that afternoon the First Presbyterian Church was crowded beyond capacity with sorrowful relatives and friends, many of whom were unable to gain entrance. Reverend James Coats officiated and said the final prayers at graveside in Oak Hill Cemetery where interment was made with Masonic rites and military honors. Special solos in the church were by a trio consisting of Mrs. Ralph Bartels, Mrs. Marlin Hogan and Mrs. Fred Eyres accompanied by Miss Evelyn Lenz on the organ. Active gasket bearers were Harold Gaunitz, Dr. Frank Wilson, Alvin Wilde, Merritt Long, Wilson Cooper and Fred Schafer; honorary pall bearers were Gene Brennen, Albert Kehr, Hjalmer Carlson, Theodore Kerndt, George Trayer and Tom Gilbertson.
Among out of town relatives and friends who attended the obseques were: Mrs. Elvina Hurm, sons Joe and Clarence and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hurm, Milwaukee, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Aschom and son John, Marquette, Mich.; Mr. and Mrs. Payson Lowell, Prairie Valley, Kan.; Miss Mary Ethel Aschom, Iowa City; Mrs. Helen Gourley and sons Donald and Kenneth, Dubuque; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Schneider and family, Melcher; Miss Anga Olson, Madison, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. Mark Rider, Waubay, S.D.; Mrs. Elsie Rowland, Mr. and Mrs. Gerard Schonlau, Mrs. Amy Bissen, Mrs. Ina Abraham. Mrs. Alta Dorval, Houston, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Owen Jackson, W.J. Smale, Mr. and Mrs. John Smale, Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Smale, Mr. and Mrs. Don Smith and family, Mrs. Charlotte Eide, Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Weber of LaCrosse; Mr. and Mrs. Phil Gaines, Cedar Rapids; Mr. and Mrs. Louie Schmidt, Strawberry Point; Mrs. Bess Parker and daughter Kay, Fairfield; Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Howe and Helen, Cedar Falls; Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Deters, Eitzen, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Hjalmer Carlson, Decorah; Mr. and Mrs. E.H. Willett, Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Jansen, Davenport.
source: Allamakee Journal, Lansing, IA - Aug. 12, 1959