VOLLBRECHT, WILLIAM C. 1859-1941

VOLLBRECHT, VOLBRECHT, NIELS, GOODER, KRUGER

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/27/2012 at 20:03:07

a.k.a. Karl Wilhelm Vollbrecht

WILLIAM C. VOLLBRECHT
August 3, 1859 - October 14, 1941

"Then let me softly, gently, Lord fall asleep in these." This prayer was answered literally when death came to William C. Vollbrecht, Tuesday, October 14. Three weeks before he had contracted pneumonia and appeared to be on the way to recovery. However, his age was against him. His earthly sojourn totaled 82 years, 2 months and 11 days.

Born in Germany, August 3, 1859, William C. Vollbrecht immigrated to America with his parents Gottlieb and Louise Vollbrecht, in 1863. After a brief residency in Illinois, the elder Vollbrecht moved his family to Iowa. Here, in Mitchell and Howard Counties, the children grew up. Following in the footsteps of his father, William became a farmer.

On January 7, 1880, he was united in holy wedlock with Annie Niels. This union was blessed with twelve children of whom Mary died in infancy.

In 1884, Mr. Vollbrecht purchased a farm along the Wapsie River six miles south of Riceville. This was home to them until 1912, since which time, Mr. and Mrs. Vollbrecht have lived in their home in Riceville.

On January 7, 1930, they celebrated their golden wedding Anniversary. On January 7, 1940, they were privileged to celebrate their sixtieth anniversary, a distinction accorded to but few married spouses.

Mr. Vollbrecht's last days were brightened by the visit of most of his children at his bedside.

Mr. Vollbrecht needs no long eulogy. To know him was to respect and love him. He was one of God's own gentlemen; as such he lived, as such he died. Brought to God through baptism in infancy , confirmed in the Lutheran faith as a boy of fourteen, he by the grace of God, remained loyal to his Savior and his church. Of him it can be truthfully be said, he was not only a regular hearer of the word but a conscientious doer of the same.

Also he had a ready heart and an open hand for his church and for charity. With him departs the last charter member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church - on of its pillars.

We laid him in God's acre near the church he love, Thursday, October 16. Church and school house could not hold the friends who had assembled to pay their last respects to a Christian friend and brother. His pastor, Rev. Leckband spoke words of comfort on the basis of Revelations 7:13-17. The following served as pallbearers: Ben Kruger, Ed Rieken, C. F. Lubbert, E. G. Ring, Edward Kruger and Charles Kapka.

Besides a host of friends, there remains to await the hour of reunion with him, his wife and the following children" H. C. C. W., and Mrs. H. F. Merrel, Lodi, California; J. G., Sacramento, California; R. W. Fresno, California; Mrs. W. C. Burns and Mrs. R. L. Tanburg, Stockton, California; Mrs. John Hymer, Glasgrow, Montana; Mrs. Charles Brockney, Mrs. E. G. Gooder, and Mrs. Julius Kruger, Riceville; and 26 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

[Riceville Library Obituary Collection]
(sb)
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Burial WAS in St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery, Riceville