LAGER, William Edward "Bill" 1862-1945

LAGER, DONOVAN, AMBROSE, THIELE, KELLY

Posted By: Errin Wilker
Date: 11/6/2013 at 17:23:31

On Saturday, Nov. 24, 1945 at 4:30 p.m. William Lager, who had been in ill health the past year and a half, passed away peacefully at his home here, death being due to the infirmities of old age.

William Lager was born Feb. 14, 1862 in Chicago, Ill., a son of Fredrick and Kathrina Lager. When a small boy he moved with his parents to Eitzen, Minn., where he grew to young manhood.

On Feb. 9, 1891 he was married to Johanna Donovan at Dorchester, establishing their home in Eitzen for four years, then moving to New Albin which has since been his home.

He is survived by the following children: Vincent, Aurora, Ill.; Urban, Dubuque, Ia.; Edward, Fairhope, Ala.; Fred, Rockwell City, Ia.; Mrs. Stanley (Rita) Ambrose, Wellsburg, Ia.; and Miss Gretta at home; two brothers, Henry of Waukon, Ia., and Louis of Caledonia, Minn.; one sister, Mrs. Anna Thiele, Eitzen, Minn.; also 14 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife on March 8, 1944, also two daughters, Miss Veronica and Mrs. Joe Kelly.

"Bill" Lager, as he was familiarly known to his many friends, had a wide acquaintanceship as he was an implement and car dealer, he being one of the oldest implement dealers in the state of Iowa, having been in business for 54 years. He was upright and square in all his dealings with his fellowmen. Deceased was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and died fortified by its last Holy Rites. He was also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.

Funeral services were held Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock at St. Joseph's Church with the Rev. L. Hayes, pastor, officiating. Burial was made in St. Joseph's Cemetery west of town. All business places were closed during the services.

Casket bearers were Earl Welsh, D.J. Kelly, George May, E.J. Meyer, Ignatius Imhoff and John W. Kelly.

Out of town relatives in attendance at the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. V.J. Lager, Aurora, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. U.W. Lager, Dubuque, Ia.; the F.C. Lager family, Rockwell City, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Ambrose of Wellsburg, Ia.; Henry Lager, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Thiele, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Thiele, Waukon; Mrs. J.H. Ambrose, Waterloo; Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand Voight and two sons, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Thiele, Robert Lager and wife, Arthur Lager and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Lager, Mr. and Mrs. Neuman Dahle, Pat Donovan and wife, George Lager and wife, Mr. Joe Roerkohl, Caledonia, Minn.; John Thiele and wife, Theo. Thiele, wife and son Benny, Alfred Meiners and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Deters, Mrs. Anna Thiele, of Eitzen, Minn.; Pete Gantenbein, of Lansing.

Source: Newspaper Clipping from a New Albin area scrapbook.