ETJEN, Charles O. 1872-1957

ETJEN, NACHTIGAL

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 1/24/2015 at 09:32:11

Charles O. Etjen, Pioneer Resident, Succumbs at 85

Charles O. Etjen died at his home 5 1/2 miles northeast of Wellsburg at 6:15 a.m. Thursday of a heart condition complicated by his advanced age.

Funeral services were held at 1 o'clock Monday in the home and later in St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Rev. E. A. Slottag officiating. Burial was in the cemetery near the church.

Pallbearers were Henry Aalfs, Bert Harrenstein, Henry J. Smit, George Lindaman, Jake H. Peters and Herman Haack.

Music for the service was provided by the church choir, with Joyce Huisman the organist. Mrs. Harold F. Harms and Mrs. Harry Maas assisted as flower attendants.

Obituary
Charles O. Etjen was born April 17, 1872 in Colfax township, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Etjen. He lived his entire life of 85 years and 22 days on the family home place northeast of Wellsburg.

The Etjens were of sturdy pioneer stock, and their name is prominent among those early settlers in northwestern Colfax township. They are hardworking folks so Charlie could not help being the same way. He worked hard at whatever he undertook, and he went about it seriously.

He was united in marriage to Katherine Nachtigal on February 26, 1896 by Rev. O. Saalborn at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. After their marriage he brought his bride to the farm where they resided together until death parted them 61 years later.

Survivors include the widow and six children, three sons and three daughters. They are William B. at home, John R. of Parkersburg, Lee of Wellsburg, Mrs. Fred Eilers and Mrs. John Uhlenhopp of Parkersburgg and Mrs. Laurence Sheldon of Eldora.

Also surviving are 19 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Mrs. Harm Knock, his parents, eight brothers and two sisters. He was the surviving member of a family of 11 children.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 16 May 1957, pg 17