WOLTHOFF, Peter 1880-1949

WOLTHOFF, NIEHAUS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 10/24/2016 at 12:35:39

Peter Wolthoff Dies As He Was Milking Cow

Peter Wolthoff, a long time resident of Grundy county, died at his home at the south edge of Grundy Center Sunday morning while he was milking. He was apparently well and in his usual good spirits when he went out in the barn to do chores while his wife was getting breakfast. When he didn't return as soon as expected his wife called him and when she received no answer she went to the barn and saw her husband lying on the floor, still clutching the milk pail. It is believed he was stricken by a heart attack and died immediately. A doctor was called at once but there was nothing he could do.

While Mr. Wolthoff had been afflicted with high blood pressure for a number of years he had not at any time shown any sign of a heart attack. He had been advised a number of years ago to take things easy and he had been following that advice and refrained from heavy work. He and his wife had returned only a month before from Florida where they spent the winter as they had been doing a number of years. He drove his car and trailer to Florida and back and the long drive didn't seem to be a strain for him.

Peter Wolthoff's sudden death came as a severe shock to the members of his family and to his large number of friends. And he made friends wherever he went and he kept what friends he made. He always had a smile and a warm handclasp for his friends. He was 69 years old.

Funeral Services Wednesday
Funeral services were held at the home at 1:30 Wednesday afternoon and at two o'clock at Bethany Presbyterian church. Rev. F. J. Langenberg officiated at the service. There was a very large attendance at the church service. Burial was in the Grundy Center cemetery.

Was Native of Germany
Peter Wolthoff was born in Germany January 31, 1880. When he was 9 years old he came with his parents to America. They located on a farm near Reinbeck where he grew to manhood.

On February 12, 1902, he and Delia Niehaus were married at Conrad.

They farmed in this vicinity until 1910, when they moved to Howard county, where they farmed until 1920, returning to Grundy Center.

They have lived in their present home since 1922. He has been a member of the Odd Fellows 22 years.

He is survived by his wife and eight children, four sons, Casper Wolthoff, LeRoy, Minn., Edward of LeRoy, Minn., Raymond and Robert of Grundy Center, four daughters, Mrs. Margaret Miller of Maywood, Ill.; Mrs. Berdene Reimer of Minneapolis, Mrs. Pearl Lamon of St. Ansgar, Iowa, and Mrs. Lillian Moats of Grundy Center. Thirteen grandchildren, one brother, Fred Wolthoff of LeRoy, Minn.; four sisters, Mrs. Roy Shafstal of Grundy Center, Mrs. Albert Kruger of Parkersburg, Mrs. Ray Sargent of Mediapolis, Iowa, and Mrs. Leo Olson of LeRoy, Minn.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, one sister and one daughter.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 21 April 1949, pg 1