Fred Moltzen 1861-1931

MOLTZEN, THOM, THOMS, TREES, RICHARDS

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 4/27/2014 at 23:52:47

Obituary of Fred Moltzen
Fred Moltzen was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, February 18, 1861. He left his native land and came to America in 1881, settling at Miles, Iowa. Three years later he came to Emmet County and took up a homestead on the unbroken prairies west of Dolliver.

On December 6, 1889, he was united in marriage with Mary Thoms. In true pioneer style Mr. and Mrs. Moltzen battled with the wilderness until they transformed it into the comfortable home which is now occupied by their son, Ernest Moltzen.

To the Moltzens ten children were born, eight of whom survive. One child, Mary, died in infancy and another daughter, Henrietta, passed on in October, 1918. The deceased is survived by his wife and the following children: Ernest Moltzen of Dolliver, Mrs. Leonard Trees of Sherburn, Minn.; Clara Moltzen at home; Mrs. Tom Richards of Dolliver; Henry Moltzen of Ceylon; Mrs. Bert Johnson of Dolliver; and John and Herman Moltzen at home. There are also three brothers and two sisters of Mr. Moltzen living in Germany, and one brother, Jerry, in Fresno, Calif. Thirteen grandchildren will miss and mourn the loss of Grandpa.

Mr. Moltzen was a member of the German Lutheran Church, having been confirmed at the age of fourteen.

In March, 1927, the family moved from the farm home to their new home in Dolliver.

On Thursday, July 23, the deceased was taken critically ill and was taken to a hospital in Fairmont, Minn. The only hope of prolonging his life seemed to be an operation. This was performed Saturday. He seemed on the road to recovery, but on Monday night there was a change and the end came Tuesday evening, July 28, at 7:30.

Mr. Moltzen was optimistic, always interested in the community and its enterprises. Always a man of peace, a kindly hearted neighbor and friend, who will be missed by a wide circle of those who loved to call him friend.

Funeral was held in the Community M.E. Church Friday, July 31, 1931, at 2 P.M. in charge of Rev. M.L. Carver.

Burial was at the Dolliver cemetery. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, August 5, 1931 /Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, August 3, 1931)

The community was shocked and grieved to hear on Tuesday night of last week that Fred Moltzen had passed away. He was taken sick on the Friday previous with obstruction of the bowels and while everything that medical aid could do, was done for him, he passed away the following Tuesday evening. Mr. Moltzen has lived in Lincoln township for the past 40 years and has a host of friends who regret to hear of his death. He leaves a wife, seven children and eleven grandchildren to mourn the loss of a loving husband, father and grandfather. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, August 5, 1931)