ZEIMET, John Michael 1894-1962

ZEIMET, WEBER, MCCLAIN, RICE, ALTHOFF, MORGAN, COLLINS

Posted By: Errin Wilker
Date: 11/14/2016 at 12:06:28

Word of the sudden death of John M. Zeimet was received by Lansing relatives last Tuesday morning where he was found dead in bed at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Paul (Bernadette) Weber, Fort Riley, Kan. He had accompanied his only sister, Mrs. Clyde McClain and husband there Saturday, the latter couple enroute to their home in Los Angeles, Calif., after a couple of months sojourn hereabouts. Death apparently was from a coronary heart attack according to the examining doctor.

He was born July 16, 1894 in Lansing Township, a son of Helen Rice and John Zeimet, early day residents of the Gruber Ridge vicinity, and one of several children. Following his education in the rural schools, on Sept. 22. 1919, he was married to Leonette Althoff of Lansing by the late Msgr. Haxmeier. She died in November of 1934, and John was left with eight children between the ages of 1 and 13 to whom he had to be both mother and father. Relatives and friends took the children into their homes and John gave up farming operations and continued in city jobs working for a number of years as maintenance man at both Loras College and Mt. Bernard Seminary in Dubuque where he was widely known.

He was sexton at the Immaculate Conception Church in Lansing for several years before returning to the Key City for employment in the farm equipment section of a large chain store. He was a conscientious and honest employee known for his skill and accommodation, and a great number of acquaintances will read with regret of his sudden passing.

Survivors along with the above mentioned daughter and sister include his sons, Bernard and Clement of Lasing; Thomas, a CPO stationed with the U.S. Navy at Waukegan, Ill.; Mrs. Francis (Mary) Morgan, Dubuque; Mrs. Charles (Regina) Collins, Rockford, Ill.; James, New Albin; and Adrian, Prairie du Chien, Wis. Other immediate survivors include two brothers, George of Lansing, and Leo of La Crosse, Wis., and 25 grandchildren. Besides his parents, a sister preceded him in death as an infant, and two adult brothers, Lawrence and Bill, both well remembered by Lansing residents.

The funeral services were held at ten o'clock Friday morning with the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Scharphoff offering the Mass of Requiem and saying the final prayers at the graveside in Gethsemane Cemetery where interment was made in the family lot. Casket bearers were lifelong friends, Leo Strub, James Thorsten, John Scholtes, Clarence Spinner, and Frank and Cyril Hurm. All of his children were here for the wake, and among others noticed coming for the funeral services were Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Althoff, Strawberry Point; Mr. and Mrs. Cletus Althoff, Waukon; Mrs. Anna Altoff, La Cross; Mr. and Mrs. George Hammer, Plateeville, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. Eldon Reeves, Dubuque; Mr. and Mrs. Wiford Hundt, Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Hundt, and Mr. and Mrs. George Althoff, Bangor, Wis.

Source: Newspaper Clipping, Hand-Dated 1962.