GENUNG, George Elbert, Dr. 1876-1944

GENUNG, BURNHAM, WALRATH, MILLARD, DANIELS

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 4/19/2012 at 18:53:18

DR. G. E. GENUNG
DIES AFTER VERY
SHORT ILLNESS

Practiced Dentistry Here
Forty Years in Same Location.

Dr. G. E. Genung, 68, passed away at his home Friday noon. His death brings sorrow to the whole community, which has known him as a man of the highest ideals; a citizen who gave all of his time that he could to the betterment of his community, and a professional man of unquestioned ability.

OBITUARY--

George Elbert Genung was born on June 10, 1876, at Taylorville, near Arlington, Iowa, the only son of George Wilston Genung and Mary Jane Daniels Genung.

During his boyhood the family lived at Arlington, Dubuque, Waterloo, and Independence, Iowa. He was educated in the public schools at Independence and came first to Osage in 1894, where he attended the Cedar Valley Seminary for one year. In 1895 he entered the dental college of the State University of Iowa, at Iowa City, and transferred the following year to the Western Dental College at Kansas City, Missouri, from which he was graduated in 1900.

His dental practice was started at Lamont and Aurora, Iowa, in 1898-99, and was resumed after graduation. He was the 1003rd registered dentist in this state; today there are approximately 5000 registrants. Dr. Genung returned to Osage on November 20, 1901, and for more than 40 years he has had his office in the Cleveland Building.

On September 27, 1905, he was married to Bertha Elizabeth Blunt, of Charles City, and they were the parents of two sons, Leo B., now of Rochester, New York, and George H., who died on January 13, 1920, at the age of 11 years. Bertha Genung passed away on November 16, 1934, and his four sisters: Elizabeth (Mrs. B. B. Walrath:; Saraha (Mrs. W. G. Walrath), Pearl (Mrs. Elmer Millard), and Bertha (who died in fancy) all preceded him in death.

On July 8, 1936, he was married to Mrs. Mattie Burnham and this union has made the past eight years very happy ones for them both. In October, 1942, he had a slight stroke. Then on August 1, 1943, he had a more severe one. On June 15, 1944, he had his third stroke, from which he was unable to recover, passing away about 11 a.m. on June 23, 1944. The causes of death were diagnosed as angina pectoris and apoplexy.

He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Mattie Genung; his son and daughter-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. Leo B. Genung, and two granddaughters, Anne Marie and Mary Greta Genung, besides a number of nieces and nephews.

Dr. Genung always liked people and loved little children, and he was dearly loved by them in return. He took pride in serving as dentist to several generations of many local families. He ranked high in his profession and until the time of his last illness was always keenly interested in every new development of dental science. He attended the dental conventions regularly throughout his professional career. He was highly esteemed by the members of his profession.

He took a deep interest in civic affairs, indeed in nearly everything that was good for the life of this community, he has had an active part. He was a member of the Osage school board at the time the present high school building was erected. He was a member of the city council when the city sewage disposal system was planned and installed. Also it was while he was serving on the city council that the first fire truck was purchased. He was secretary of the library board when the Sage Library building was erected in 1910, and he has been a member of the library board continuously for more than 35 years and was the president of the board at the time of his death.

He served both as a trustee and deacon of the Congregational Church, as an alumnus of the Seminary, he took an active part in the transfer of the campus to the public school system. He was a member of the old Spring Park Association and helped in the transfer of the park property to the city. He had hoped to see the spring and the park restored and made into a fine city or state park, but these plans were interrupted by the war.

He was among those who have been in the longest actively engaged in profession or business on Main Street. He was a man of profound convictions and high moral principles and ideals, and yet withal he was kindly and gentle in manner. Miss Belle Black served as his office assistant for 27 years and she was has said that in all that time he never uttered a cross word.

In his youth he was united with the Baptist church. On May 5, 1918, he united with the local Congregational church and as already noted he has served the church in many ways. He was a member of the Osage Lodge no. 102, A. F. & A. M.; Osage Chapter No. 36, R. A. M.; and Couer de Leon Commandery no. 19, K. T. serving as Commander at one time. He was a member of the Osage Chamber of Commerce, having served as a member of the Board. He was a charter member and at one time president of the Lions Club, taking an active interest in its work until his death.

The funeral service was held at the Congregational Church last Sunday at 3 p.m., conducted by his intimate friend and pastor, Reverend Stiles Lessly, with burial in the Osage Cemetery. The committal service was conducted by the Blue Lodge, with George H. Sawyer in charge.

[Mitchell County Press, Thursday, June 29, 1944]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Photo of his tombstone at Osage City Cemetery.

GPP Tombstone Photos
 

Mitchell Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen