Charles "Carl" Krekow 1852-1928

KREKOW, GEISTER, MENSCH, HARNACK, BRANDT, OLSON

Posted By: Linda Mohning (email)
Date: 3/22/2011 at 15:09:00

Another pioneer of Cherokee and Plymouth counties passed away last Saturday, when Charles Krekow, a resident of this vicinity of nearly a half century, died at his home in Remsen after a prolonged illness with a complication of diseases. He was 76 years old, and is survived by his widow, nine children and two sisters. The funeral took place Tuesday afternoon with services at the Krekow home and burial in the Amherst cemetery, Cherokee county.

Mr. Krekow had been in failing health for the last year, with anemia and other complications, but up to a few weeks ago was able to be about the house and town, and was apparently in fair health.Three weeks ago his condition became suddenly worse and he was obliged to remain at home, and on Monday, May 14, his illness became so aggravated that he was confined to the sick bed until death overtook him. Mr. Krekow passed away in a a peaceful sleep on Saturday eving at 7:40 o'clock. - Le Mars Globe-Post, Monday, May 28, 1928, page 1, column 7

DECEASED PIONEER AIDS DEVELOPMENT OF WEST

Last rites for Carl Krekow were held from the home at Remsen and Trinity Lutheran church in Amhearst township last Tuesday afternoon. Services were conducted by Rev. A. C. Ilten, pastor of the church of which he was a member. Interment was made in Trinity Cemetery.

The decedent was born at Streethof, Alstetien, Pommern, Germany on March 4, 1852, his parents being Mr. Gottfried Krekow and Dorothy nee Volker. At his birthplace he was baptized and later through confirmation was taken up as a communicant member in the Lutheran Church. In his twentieth year, he left Germany coming to Chicago in July 1872, where he worked as a laborer.

On September 30, 1877, he was united in marriage with Miss Louise Mensch. In 1880 the now deceased moved from Chicago to Cherokee county where he went to farming. It was on June 28, 1881 that a cyclone went through this territory destroying much property and a portion of Mr. Krekow's. But the great loss was that his wife, Louise, was killed by this storm. He and his daughter, Louise, were uninjured.

February 27, 1883, he was united in marriage to Auguste Geister. This marriage was blessed with seven children, all of whom, are still living and residing near Marcus and Remsen. After having lived on the farm for forty years, Mr. and Mrs. Krekow retired to Remsen in 1919.

Mr. Krekow came here as a pioneer before Marcus started. He met with both adversity and success as did others and lived to see the marvelous development of the west of which he played a part.

The now deceased had been enjoying good health until recently. The medical aid and the tender care of his beloved ones did not restore his health and strength. Once could notice that he was failing rapidly the past weeks and he realized it also. On Saturday evening at 7:40 he peaceably fell asleep, bringing his age to 76 years, 2 months and 15 days.

The deceased was a life long member of the Lutheran church. During his 39 years membership, he took great interest in the welfare of the congregation.

Those who are mourning his departure are his beloved wife with whom he had been united for over forty five years and his children: Louise Olson, Gustave, Albert and Otto Krekow, Mrs. Emma Brandt, Mrs. Alma Harnack, Mrs. Marie Dunn, Miss Dora Krekow and William Krekow; also six grandchildren: Elmer Olson, Kenneth, Emory and Donald Brandt, Charles Scott Krekow and June Marie Dunn.

He is survived by two sisters Mrs. Enstina (Fritz) Grauer of Marcus and Mrs. Marie Denhardt of Chicago. Besides these, other relatives and friends will long remember the departed one.

Those from a distance who were here for the funeral are: Mary Denhardt of Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. George Geister and family and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Geister of Primghar, Iowa and Mrs. Charles Reinetz of Storden, Minn. - Marcus News newspaper, May 24, 1928

CHAS. KREKOW DIES. First Wife Was Killed in Tornado Many Years Ago

Remsen Bell-Enterprise: Charles Krekow, a resident of this vicinity for nearly a half century, died at his home in Remsen after a prolonged illness with a complication of diseases. He was 76 years old, and is survived by his widow, nine children and two sisters. The funeral took place Tuesday afternoon with services at the Krekow home and burial in the Amherst cemetery, Cherokee county.

The deceased was born March 4, 1852 at Streethof, Alstetien, Pommern, Germany. When he was twenty years old he came to the United States and settled in Chicago, where he worked as a day laborer, and where in 1877 he was united in marriage to Louise Mensch, of that city. Three years later, in 1880, the couple left Chicago and came to Cherokee county, where Mr. Krekow purchased a farm south of the city. In June of the following year that territory was visited with a damaging cyclone which destroyed much of Mr. Krekow's farm property, but his greatest loss was that of his wife, who was killed during the storm. The couple had one child, Louise, who was slightly injured at the time, but the little girl and her father escaped death.

On February 27, 1883, Mr. Krekow was united in marriage to Auguste Geister, and this marriage was blessed with seven children, all of whom are living in or near Remsen and Marcus.

Surviving Mr. Krekow are, besides his sorrowing widow, the following children: Mrs. Louise Olson, Gustave Krekow, Albert Krekow, Otto Krekow, Mrs. Emma Brandt, Mrs. Alma Harnack, Mrs. Marie Dunn, Miss Dora Krekow, W. Krekow and Emma Brandt, all living in the vicinity of Marcus and Remsen, and six grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters--Mrs. Ernstine Grauer, of Marcus, and Mrs. Marie Denhardt, of Chicago. - The Semi-Weekly Sentinel, Le Mars, Iowa, page 5, Tuesday, May 29, 1928.