George Link (John George Link)

LINK, RETTENMEIER, KLEIN

Posted By: Barbara Gehlsen Nugent (email)
Date: 5/30/2014 at 11:12:24

The Telegraph-Herald, Thursday, June 24, 1943, Page 16

Death Claims George Link, age 79
First Mayor of Balltown Dies Late Wednesday

George Link, 79, first mayor of Balltown and for many years prominent in agricultural and community activities, died at Mercy Hospital Wedesday night at 11:30 o'clock. He had been seriously ill for several weeks.

The body is at the Strueber Funeral Home where it may be viewed after 6 o'clock Thursday evening. The funeral will be held Saturday morning from the Strueber Funeral Home at 8 o'clock to St. Francis Church, Balltown, where a mass of requiem will be offered at 9 o'clock. Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery, Balltown.

Headed Cremery

Mr. Link served a number of terms as mayor of Balltown and for 21 years was president of the Balltown Co-Operative Creamery Company, of which he was one of the organizers. He was a member of St. Francis Parish at Balltown and of the Holy Name Society of that parish. He was active in the affairs of the parish during all of his life in Balltown.

He was son of Frederick and Caroline Link, members of pioneer Dubuque County families, and was born Jan. 21, 1864, on a farm near Balltown in Concord Township. He was married in the Holy Cross Church at Holy Cross Oct. 15, 1887, to Mary Rettenmeier, a member of another pioneer family. For many years he operated a farm four miles north of Balltown in Buena Vista Township, Clayton County, his farm adjoining his father's farm in Dubuque County.

Retired 23 Years Ago

Mr. Link retired in 1930 and moved to Balltown where he had since lived.

Surviving are his daughters, Mrs. Joseph (Ida) Klein, Balltown, and Miss Amanda Link, Dubuque; his sons, Raymond Link, Balltown and Alphonse M. and Leo F. Link, Dubuque; his brothers Charles Link, Waukon, Ia., and Edward Link, Spokane, Wash.; and by 11 grandchildren and one great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife, who died March 23, 1936, and two children, George, Jr., and Lydia.