WILTFANG, Ben 1896-1982

WILTFANG, GOUDSCHAAL, PRIMUS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 6/19/2014 at 13:43:50

Funeral Held Monday For Ben Wiltfang

Ben Wiltfang was born in Emden, Germany on July 16, 1896, the son of Henry and Antje (Goudschaal) Wiltfang and received his education in the schools in Germany. In 1913 he came to the United States and settled in Wellsburg. He worked on various farms in the area.

On February 14, 1922 he was married to Gladys Primus at the Wellsburg Reformed Church Parsonage by the Rev. William Landsiedel. Following their marriage they lived on a farm near Dike. They later lived on farms near Albion, southeast of Grundy Center, near Fern, and then, in 1940 moved to a farm northeast of Wellsburg.

In 1953 they retired from the farm and moved to Wellsburg to make their home. Mrs. Wiltfang passed away on October 26, 1980.

Ben Wiltfang passed away Friday afternoon, December 17 at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines due to congestive heart failure.

He had first been hospitalized at the Grinnell Hospital in Grinnell on November 30th and then on December 7th was transferred to Des Moines. He reached the age of 86 years, 5 months and 1 day.

Mr. Wiltfang was a member of the Wellsburg Reformed Church having joined by transfer of membership from the Parkersburg Reformed Church on July 13, 1953.

Funeral services for Ben Wiltfang were held on Monday, December 20 at 2 p.m. at the Wellsburg Reformed Church. Pastor Roger Huitink officiated at the services.

Mrs. Wayne Halstead sang two selections in German. A hymn was sung by the congregation. Marcella Neessen was organist. Mrs. Thomas Claassen and Mrs. Lester Anderson were flower attendants.

Pallbearers were Michael Wiltfang, Mark Wiltfang, Jeffrey Wiltfang, John Wiltfang, Bernard John Baker III and Gregory W. Baker. Honorary casketbearers were Nancy Wiltfang Collins, Janice Baker Haines, and Thomas Claassen. The interment service was held in the Wellsburg Reformed Church Cemetery.

Arrangements were in charge of Doyen Funeral Home.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Gladys; one grandson; one sister; and four brothers.

Survivors include two sons, Calvin Wiltfang of Grundy Center; Dr. Bernard Wiltfang of Grinnell; one daughter, Mrs. Bernard (Berniece) Baker of Des Moines; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

--The Grundy Register/Wellsburg Herald (Grundy Center, Iowa), 23 December 1982, pg 18