Kerndt, Gustave Wilhelm 1852-1921

KERNDT, BENSCH, BOECKH

Posted By: Diana Henry Diedrich (email)
Date: 2/18/2007 at 09:07:50

Prominent Citizen Passes

After a long and lingering illness and submitting to an operation at Rochester, Minn., over a year ago, G. W. Kerndt, one of the old and prominent residents of Lansing, passed peacefully away, on Saturday, last, shortly after noon, at his home on Center street. He had been in a state of coma for several days and death was momentarily expected. His illness dated back for several years and he made a brave but losing battle. Physicians held out some hope for him if he would submit to another operation, but he chose not to do so, and met his fate unflinchingly.
Gustav Wilhelm Kerndt was the only son of the late Wm. Kerndt. He was born in Marklissa, Germany, Jan. 22, 1852, and was therefore, 69 years and 9 months old when he laid down life’s burden. He came to Lansing in 1866 and from that time to the date of his death, with the exception of about a year spent at a business college in Chicago, this city was his home. For thirty-three years he was identified with the firm of G. Kerndt & Bros., in one capacity or another, and for years was an attaché of the State Bank of Lansing, being Vice President of the institution at the time of his death. On March 26, 1878, he was married to Julia Bensch and the marriage feast was held in Germania hall, which had just been completed, and Mr. and Mrs. Kerndt’s wedding was the first of the many social events held therein, if we remember correctly. Two children were born to them, one dying in infancy, the other Cleveland W. H. Kerndt, of Rock Island, Ills.; who visited his father repeatedly during his long illness and was at his bedside when the end came as a welcome relief to pain and suffering.
Mr. Kerndt, although strictly a home loving man and not much given to social or society functions nevertheless enjoyed his friendships, made many friends during his long business career in Lansing, particularly among the farming element, and this was noticeable at his funeral Monday afternoon, many from the adjacent country being in attendance. The obsequies were held at the home, Rev. Kegel officiating and being assisted by Rev. Krebs. The Federated Church choir rendered appropriate music. Burial was in the family lot in Oak Hill cemetery, where sleeps his father and mother and many other relatives. Six of his cousins, G. M. Kerndt, Theo. W. H. Kerndt, C. M. Kerndt, Moritz Kerndt, of Selida, Colo., and Julius Boeckh acted as pallbearers.
The widow and son have the sincere sympathy of many relatives and friends in their loss of husband and father.

Allamakee County Newspaper, 1921

______________________________

Added by Reid R. Johnson, 8/6/2013:

The Woodmansee gives this persons dates as 1851 / 10-22-1921, burial in Gethsemane cemetery, which conflicts with the obituary.

The Postville Herald of Thursday, 3 November 1921, carried the following news blurb in its Neighborhood News column:

G. W. Kerndt, a prominent business man and respected citizen of Lansing, died at his home in that city Oct. 22nd. He had been a resident of Allamakee county since 1866.
- Postville Herald, Thursday, 3 November 1921.