DILGER, Theodore E. 1867-1941

DILGER, WILKENS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 1/9/2017 at 14:13:42

T. E. Dilger, Pioneer Creamery Man, Is Dead

T. E. Dilger, buttermaker and creamery manager at Beaver Center (known as Lear) for 32 years, died at the home of his son, Harvey Dilger, in Stout at 11 o'clock Sunday morning. Death came with only a few hours' warning from a heart attack. Mr. Dilger had apparently been in good health up to within a short time of his death. He suffered heart distress while he was in bed early Sunday morning. A doctor was called who found a heart ailment which was not regarded as serious. A short time thereafter he passed away quite suddenly.

Mr. Dilger was widely known throughout northeast Grundy. Through the co-operative creamery at Lear he served a large group of farmers who admired, trusted and respected him. He devoted nearly all of his life to the creamery industry, which he understood thoroughly and in which he served his farm neighbors and customers during the 32-year period that the Lear creamery was in operation. After the closing of the creamery ten years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Dilger left their home at Beaver Center and lived with their children.

Resided in County 57 Years
Mr. Dilger was 74 years old on the 21st day of last March. He was born in Ephrata, Pennsylvania. At the age of 17 he came to Grundy county and resided here continually from that time on. He received employment in creameries at Dairyville, Benson and Buck Grove and in 1899 when the creamery at Lear was established he was given the place as buttermaker and manager. The creamery was organized by farmers in that community and for many years it did a good business.

In 1892 Mr. Dilger was married to Magdalena Wilkin. They began housekeeping in Beaver township and resided in that community during all of their married life. Mr. and Mrs. Dilger had three children, who with the mother survive. The children are Harvey of Stout, Mrs. John DeBeer, residing on a farm near Stout, and Mrs. Calvin Clauson, residing on a farm near Dike.

Funeral services will be held at the home Thursday afternoon at one o'clock and later at the Reformed church in Stout. Rev. W. J. Heyenga, local pastor, will officiate at the service. Burial will be in the cemetery at Stout.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 10 April 1941, pg 1