GEERDES, George H. 1893-1944

GEERDES, OLTHOFF

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 1/21/2015 at 21:53:02

Geo. H. Geerdes Dies Saturday In Hospital

George Henry Geerdes died Saturday evening in the Deaconess hospital at Marshalltown where he was taken the week before for treatment. Cancer of the blood stream was given as the cause of his death. About six months ago he had quite a severe attack of flu and pneumonia from which he was unable to recover and he grew gradually weaker though he was confined to his bed but a short time. He was 50 years old on the 24th day of last August.

The news of his death was received with deep regret by George's many friends and the friends of the family. Everyone who knew George liked him and they were his friends as he was their friend. He was an active member of the Wellsburg Post of the American Legion and served in the capacity of bugler. His service in World War I took him to France where he served at the front for a number of months before the war ended.

About a year after returning from the war he and Miss Tena Olthoff were married. They began housekeeping on the Olthoff farm four miles northeast of Wellsburg and lived there continually. The wife survives him. They had no children.

George Henry Geerdes was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Geerdes. He was born on a farm west of Wellsburg and grew up there. He was the only son in a family of four children. After leaving the farm his parents moved to Steamboat Rock. His father and three sisters are living. The sisters are Mrs. Gratus Riekena of Kossuth county, Mrs. Will Behrends of Steamboat Rock, and Miss Bessie Geerdes, who is keeping house for her father in Steamboat Rock.

Funeral services are being held this afternoon at the home and later at the Shiloh Township Lutheran church. Rev. Malin will conduct the services.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 6 April 1944, pg 9

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Funeral Services Thurs. For George H. Geerdes

Funeral services for George Henry Geerdes were held at the home and later at the Shiloh Lutheran church. The services were conducted by the local pastor, Rev. Malin, assisted by Rev. Wm. Landsiedel. Services at the grave were conducted by the Wellsburg Legion Post, of which the deceased was a member.

Pallbearers were Harm Knock, H. C. Haack, H. P. Kruse, D. W. Riekena, Ray Toomsen.

Obituary
George Henry Geerdes was born August 23, 1893, on the home farm near Steamboat Rock and since 1919 had lived in this immediate neighborhood. He passed out of this life on April 1, 1944, at the age of 50 years, 7 months and 8 days.

He was married to Tena Olthoff June 27, 1923. There were no children born to their union.

George was baptised in childhood and united with the church of Jesus Christ in his youth. He was received into this church by confirmation December 27, 1936.

Mr. Geerdes has been a faithful member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church, serving on the church board as Secretary, also as president of the Choral Society and as chairman of the Honor Roll and Service Flag Board. He was eager and active in all his work in the Master's Kingdom, both at home, in the Synod and in the N.L.C.A.

He was active and interested in civic and community affairs, and being a veteran of World War I, he was active in the local American Legion Post.

George was ever a good neighbor and friend, and the little children loved him and he loved them.

He is survived by his wife, four sisters, Mrs. Ben Isebrands, Woden, Iowa; Mrs. Willie Berends, Steamboat Rock; Bessie Geerdes, Steamboat Rock; Mrs. Gratus Riekena, Forest City; and his father, Henry Geerdes of Steamboat Rock, and a host of other relatives and friends. His mother and one sister, Mrs. R. W. Ross, preceded him in death.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 13 April 1944, pg 9