Frank Palen 1867-1931

PALEN, NICKS, DENNISON

Posted By: j.n. (email)
Date: 9/20/2015 at 13:37:41

Obituary of FRANK PALEN, April 10, 1931

Pneumonia Attack Takes Frank Palen
Prominent Caledonia Man Ill Only Four Days, Dies Suddenly

Frank Palen, well known photographer and prominent businessman of Caledonia, died Saturday morning at 4:27 am at his home on South Kingston street following an attack of pneumonia. He had been sick only four days. It had been the second attack of pneumonia he had suffered within a year.

Born in Harlingen, Luxembourg, Europe August 23, 1867, he came to America in 1875 with his father, Dominic Palen and brother Emil and sister Josephine. His mother had died shortly before they left Europe. The family settled in Caledonia (Minnesota). When he was a young man he took up photography, studying in a studio at La Crosse. In 1891 he opened a studio at Caledonia and since that time had been actively engaged in business here. Several years ago he opened a branch studio at Spring Grove.

Mr. Palen was married to Miss Florence Nicks of Dubuque Iowa on October 17, 1900. Surviving him are his wife and seven children, Mrs. E. W. Dennison, Jefferson, S.D., Julius Palen and Dr. Cyril Palen, Milwaukee Wisconsin, Clarence, Cheyenne, Wyo, Beatrice, Toledo Ohio, Victor, a student at Marquette University, Milwaukee, and Dolores, a student at St. Teresa' s College, Winona. He also leaves three grandchildren.

From the time he engaged in business here 40 years ago he took a keen interest in civic affairs and for a time served as a member of the village council. He was a charter member of Caledonia Council Knights of Columbus and later became a Fourth Degree member. He also held membership in St. Peter’s Aid Society, the Caledonia Commercial Club, and St. John Court Catholic Order of Foresters. He was very successful in business and was recognized as a progressive and dependable businessman who had justly earned the respect and confidence of all. All business places of Caledonia were closed during the funeral in respect to his memory.

Funeral services were held Tuesday morning at 9:30am at St. Peter’s church where his nephew, the Rev. Arnold Palen of Winona celebrated the requiem mass and delivered the sermon in which he paid a nice tribute to his uncle. Members of the Knights of Columbus together with a guard of honor of Fourth Degree members, Catholic Foresters, St. Peter’s Aid and Caledonia Commercial Club accompanied the members of the church and from there to Calvary cemetery where burial was made.

Relatives and friends from out of town who attended the funeral of Frank Palen at Caledonia on Tuesday included Mr. and Mrs. Peter Klein and family, Charles Murphy, Donald Palen, Miss Margaret Morrison, Milwaukee; Mrs. Newell Barber, Mrs. Emma Palen, Mrs. Sophia Burkhardt Miller, Mrs. Sophia Marquard Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Roth and daughter, Frances, Emil Palen, Peter A. Palen, Edgar Semsch, La Crosse; Mrs. John Frantzen, Mrs. Wm. Andrews, Mrs. McAndrews, Mr. and Mrs. James Burg and daughter, Mildred, Mr. and Mrs. F.J. Palen, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Nicks, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Nicks, Edward Nicks, Miss Elizabetth Nicks, Miss Leona Palen, Dubuque; Mr. and Mrs. Sam Hall, Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Robie, Mrs. Sperry, Mr. and Mrs. Jos. F. Palen, Minneapolis; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Palen, Rochester, Mr. and Mrs. Nick Palen,, Sparta, Wis.; Mrs. Frances Fuos and Mrs. Josephine Bywater, St. Paul; Mr. and Mrs. G. N. Palen and son, Fred, Mrs. Leopold Palen, Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Borth, Mrs. Mary Palen, Mrs. Wilma Pirsch, Sister Aquinas and Sister Mary, St. Teresa’s College, Winona; Mrs. A.D. Bletcher, Montevideo, Minn; Mr. and Mrs. Roy Herman and Mrs. Schimmings, Waverly, Iowa; Mrs. I.W. Dennison, Jefferson, S.D.