Wenkstern, Henry 1861 - 1931

WENKSTERN, ORTMAN, HITTIE, DUBBELS, HERRON

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 10/21/2022 at 22:17:23

Clayton County Register, Thur., 22 Jan. 1931.

Henry Wenkstern, a long time highly regarded resident of Clayton county, died suddenly of heart trouble at his home in Guttenberg on Sunday evening at 5:15 o'clock at the age of 69 years, 8 months and 14 days. Shortly before death called him, Mr. Wenkstern had been engaged in shoveling snow from the sidewalks at his home. After completing this work he went into his home and while sitting in a chair conversing with Mrs. Wenkstern, he was suddenly stricken. His sudden death came as a terrible shock to his loved ones and his many friends. He had not been in the best of health for some time, but always up and about town.

On March 26, 1890, he was married to Miss Ida Ortman at Elkport. After their marriage, the couple settled on a farm in Volga township, where they resided until eighteen years ago, when they came to Guttenberg to make their home. He was a member of the Lutheran church.

While a resident of Volga township, Mr. Wenkstern was elected district school director, township trustee, director of the Littleport bank and was a member and stockholder of the Littleport Creamery Co., and while a resident of Guttenberg he was a worthy member of the town council for a time. While acting in the above capacities Mr. Wenkstern always performed his duties faithfully and well and in the interests of the public - always having in mind that a public office is a public trust. In politics he affiliated with the Democratic party.

His motto in life at all times was: "Honesty is the best policy,"- always being a man who stood for righteousness and justice - being prompt and correct in all dealings with his fellow citizens, which won him many warm friends by whom his memories will be forever cherished. To know him was to love and respect him.

His death is deeply mourned by his widow, four children, Mrs. Martha Hittie, of Mechanicsville, Mrs. Josephine Dubbels and Woodrow Wenkstern, both of Guttenberg, and Mrs. Elsie Herron of Chicago, Ill., seven grandchildren and numerous other relatives and friends who will all sadly miss this good and true man. One daughter, one son and two brothers have preceded him in death.

Funeral services were conducted at the Wenkstern home in Guttenberg on Wednesday afternoon by the Rev. G. Bunge, of Garnavillo. Interment was made in the Guttenberg City cemetery.

The funeral was very largely attended by relatives and friends from far and near, which showed that deceased was held in high regard by all who knew him.