Knut K. Nau 1874-1958

NAU, LEIN, MCCOMBS

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 12/14/2013 at 21:36:13

Veteran City Businessman Dies at 83
Knute K. Nau, 83, longtime resident and businessman of Estherville, died early this morning of a heart attack. In May, Mr. Nau would have completed 60 years in the same business here.

Knute Nau was born in Hardenger, Norway in 1874, the son of Christina and Knute Nau. He received his education in the public schools there and later attended college in Bergen, Norway

In 1893 he came to the United States and settled in Rochelle, Ill., where he worked in a dry goods store for five years prior to coming to Estherville in 1898.

At that time, he and his brother, the late Chris Nau, started Nau Brothers Clothing Store in the location where Stafford’s Hambuger shop now stands. Later they occupied the west portion of the Woolworth store. In 1905 they moved to the present location of Leuthod-Tibbetts who bought out Nau Brothers in 1938. Mr. Nau had continued working there since that time. He was a member of the Elks, Knights of Pythias and the Commercial Club at the time of its existence.

Mr. Nau was united in marriage to Evaline Lein of Estherville. Two children were born to them. Mr. Nau and his wife, in 1909, returned to his homeland of Norway for a visit.

He was confirmed in the Lutheran faith.

Survivors are his wife, Evaline; one son, Omer of Colorado Springs, Colo.; one daughter, Mrs. Kenneth (Helen) McCombs of West Bend; and five grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at the Estherville Lutheran church at 2 p.m. Wednesday. The Rev. Theodore Maakestad will officiate at the service. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, February 3, 1958)