Edwin C. Strube 1885-1936

STRUBE, SCHARFENBERG, BOWMAN, BROWN

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 12/28/2010 at 20:01:07

Edwin C. Strube
A Prominent Business Man Passes Away
Edwin C. Strube, one of the long time business men of this city, passed away on Sunday [June 28, 1936] morning at five-twenty. Mr. Strube has been one of Estherville’s progressive business men and one of the live ones. He has been a great advertiser for not only himself but the town. He has been one of the most tireless business men we have ever known and we have been close to him in a business way for many years. It was this everlasting work, day and night, that probably led up to the illness which finally caused his death.

Mr. Strube has been in failing health for a long time. He was not the kind to admit it and he never would complain. “Push on” seemed to be his motto and he kept it up to the last and in fact until it was too late. His task was never completed.

The writer has been a close friend of Mr. Strube for many years and we have done a vast amount of printing for him. He was indulgent but required the best of work and insisted on it to the last degree. He was very outspoken but a great lover of his family and friends.

Some months ago we talked to him many times about his physical condition but he always seemed to think that by keeping going he would eventually come out all right. It was this and the fact he never had been ill and always strong and rugged that kept him in the harness.

Born in 1885
Edwin C. Strube was born Nov. 24, 1885 at Garber, Iowa, where he lived, was educated and grew to manhood. He with his brother, John Strube, came to Estherville in1910 and entered the piano and music business. They were alive to the business and soon had a wonderful business established all through this section of the country, as far west as Sioux Falls, and in other directions equally as far. In 1914 they were located in a building where the Emmet County State Bank is now located and the building was destroyed by fire with a consequent heavy loss. In this same fire L. M. Christiansen and the Enterprise also burned out.

Start Again
Mr. Strube and his brother, John, started business again and were for years leading merchants of the city. Later John Strube went west and Edwin remained here in the piano and furniture business. In this he was very successful and brought business to Estherville from great distances. At the time of his first illness he was still active in the business and we know was planning greater things for the business.

The business has been carried on since his illness by his son and very faithful help, all of whom have been in his service for many years and admired him to the last degree.

Married Minnie Scharfenberg
Mr. Strube was united in marriage to Minnie Scharfenberg in 1912 and to this union there were three sons born, Merle, Everett and Donald, all of whom are living and together with the widow remain to mourn the loss of a loving father and husband. Mr. Strube is survived by his mother, Mrs. R. C. Strube of Garber, two sisters, Mrs. Morris Bowman of Elkport, Mrs. H. W. Brown of Buffalo, N.Y.; and two brothers, John Strube of Alhambra, Calif., and Ray Strube of Garber.

The funeral services were held at the house at 1:30 and in the M.E. Church at 2:00 Tuesday afternoon, the Rev. W. A. Ortmeyer officiating. The pallbearers were John Rholfe, Herman Lorenz, Geo. Roeb, Harley Lambert, Roy C. Brown and P. Purman of Sheldon. The remains were laid to rest in Oak Hill cemetery. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, July 1, 1936)