Koehn, William Fredrick 1902 - 1922

KOEHN, REICHART, LEMKA, NEWMASTER, CZIZEK, ROMIG, KEMPS, MCSPERRINS, CHRIST, JUNGBLUT, MASTER

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/5/2021 at 20:31:25

Elkader Register, Thur., 22 June 1922.

On Thursday evening about 7:15 the community was shocked and saddened when the news spread over town that William F. Koehn had met with an accident while swimming. It seems that he and a companion had gone to the river to swim, after a hearty supper and a hard day's work in the hot sun. William waded into the river from the east side of the dam, and after paddling and swimming around for a few minutes sank, bystanders noticing him disappear did not realize that he was in trouble as they had heard no sound; but when he disappeared the second time an alarm was sounded and efforts were made to save him. A large rake was used to recover him from the water, and first aid was promptly given, but to no avail as he never regained consciousness.

William Fredrick Koehn, son of William Koehn and his wife Mary, nee Reichart, was born October 26th, 1902, at Elkader, Iowa, and died June 15th, 1922, at the age of 19 years, 7 months and 19 days. He attended the public High School here and later worked at Regan and Witts. In 1921 he left for Dubuque, Iowa, to work with Haudenshield as an apprentice undertaker. In April of this year he returned home to remain until he became of age to take the final examinations at Des Moines to become an undertaker. Of late he had been working for _. W. Stoops as truck driver and made his home with his sister, Mrs. Ray Lemka.

William was an honorable, just and upright young man; and because of his pleasant disposition was liked by all who knew him. Ever happy and cheerful he was like a ray of sunshine in the home.

His sudden departure is mourned by his beloved parents, one sister, Mrs. Melba Lemka, two brothers Harold and Cyril, his aged grandparents Reichart and Koehn, and many other relatives and a host of friends.

"When in the dusk of some calm
eventime
They softly pass the treasure laden
years,
Slow rainswept hours, amid the echoing
chime
Of festive peal, or knell tolled out
with tears:

What stirs the heart ? A wreath from
Memories land
Of some brave splendor ? Nay, but
rather this -
Remembered smiles, a heartease from
the hand
Of one who loved us, and a child's
pure kiss."

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon from the home of his sister and the Evangelical Church, Rev. Franke officiating. Interment was made in the East Side cemetery.

(In the same paper, date and in the Local News columns was given the following.)

The following relatives from a distance were here Sunday to attend the funeral of Wm. F. Koehn: Mrs. Mary Reichart, grandmother of William F., Mr. and Mrs. George Koehn, Mrs. Clara Newmaster and son Donald, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Czizek and son Clarence, Mrs. Gusta Romig and daughter Olive, Mrs. Mary Kemps, Mrs. Maude McSperrins, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Christ and son Howard, Leo Christ, Elmer Christ and Mrs. Louise Christ, all of Dubuque, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Koehn, grandparents, Mrs. Gusta Jungblut, of Guttenberg, Mr. and Mrs. Grover Koehn, of Hanover, Ill., Mr. and Mrs. Art Master, of West Union, and Ed. Christ, of Turkey River.