KUEHL, Frank L. 1870-1930

KUEHL, VAUGHN, BALDNER, DUENOW, SCHULTZ, WIGGANS, NORTON

Posted By: Deidre Badker (email)
Date: 6/11/2006 at 07:53:21

OBITUARY OF FRANK L. KUEHL

Frank L. Kuehl, son of Mr & Mrs. Henry Kuehl, was born at St. Ansgar, Iowa, April 20, 1870, and died at his farm home near Otranto, Tuesday night, July 15, 1930, aged 60 years, 2 months and 28 days. He dropped dead at his work and was found at noon on the 16th by Fred Friend of Austin, Minnesota.

The deceased spent his boyhood days in the St. Ansgar community. For a few years he lived at Enderlin, North Dakota, but moved back to Otranto and spent the remainder of his life in this section of the country.

H was married to Iva Vaughn 26 years ago. To this union was born one boy Ray who drowned about 16 years ago at the age of 9 years. This was of course a very great bereavement to the parents. For his loss they always grieved. Mrs. Kuehl passed away 3 years go and since Mr. Kuehl had been a very lonely man.

Of his immediate family there are left to mourn his death four sisters and three brothers: Dora (Mrs. John) Baldner, St. Ansgar; C.J. Kuehl of Amboy, Wisconsin; Mary (Mrs. Fred) Duenow, St. Ansgar; Will of Stewart, Minnesota; Mathilda (Mrs. H.W. Schultz) Waterloo; August, St. Ansgar; Martha (Mrs. Joseph) Wiggins, St. Ansgar; and many nephews and nieces.

Among those present for the funeral from out of town were Will Kuehl of Stewart, Minnesota; Mr. & Mrs. H. W. Schultz of Waterloo; Mr. & Mrs. Earl Schultz of Waterloo; Mr. & Mrs. Leon Norton, Winona, Minnesota; Mrs. Anna Vaughn and Fred Friend.

Mr Kuehl died at his work. He was taken while engaged in his life task, farm work. His beautiful and well kept farm on the river showed the results of his love of his home and of his work.

The funeral service was held at the home last Friday, Rev. Otis Moore presiding. Interment was in the St. Ansgar town cemetery.

After Frank's death, this poem was found among his possessions. It is thought that he wrote it soon after the death of his wife.

HOME ALONE

Here I sit, all alone, In my cozy little home.
Humble as the aged Oak. Out of the chimney comes the smoke.
Plain and small is my hut, Never fears of any smut.
Without my wife and boy so dear, I comfort with my dog that's here.
In the hours of midnight sleep; I dream of my wife and baby deep.
Armed and weaponed well I rest; with the cats that's near my chest.
This I'll have to bear in mind, to work with cheer and pleasure kind.
Until these months will bring them near - It's my wife and boy so dear.

(From the St. Ansgar, Iowa, Enterprise - July 23, 1930)