Willms, John Theesen 1883-1958

WILLMS, LUCHT

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/1/2013 at 20:37:55

FINAL SUMMONS TO UNION COUNTY FARMER MONDAY

John T. Willms Died Monday Night After Very Brief Illness

John T. Willms departed this life at his home northwest of Akron in Union County, S. D. early Monday morning, December 1, 1958. His death occurred as the result of a heart attack. He was 75 years, 10 months and 1 day of age.

John Theesen Willms was born in Moorhusen in Northern Germany, January 30, 1883. During infancy, he was baptized, and was confirmed on Palm Sunday, 1898, as a member of the Christian faith in the Lutheran church of his native land. He was united in marriage with Miss Oktje Lucht, June 1, 1907, at Munkaboe, Germany. His father, Franz Willms, and her brother, Chris Lucht were the attendants. Two sons, Frank and Edward, were born to them while they lived in Germany. In 1911, this family of four came to America and lived first in Minnesota and Wisconsin. In 1917 they came to make their home in the Akron vicinity and have resided here for over forty years, continuing on the present farm for over 33 years until the day of his departure.

Mr. Willms, together with his wife, affiliated with the Union Creek Lutheran church and have continued as active loyal members. A year ago last June this couple celebrated the Golden or fiftieth anniversary of their wedding in Union Creek church. Thus, at the time of his death, they had been married exactly 51 years and 6 months.

He leaves to mourn his departure: His wife, Mrs. Oktje Willms; two daughters, Mrs. Jana Hebert of Sioux City, and Mrs. Otilda Heyl, of Akron; two sons, Edward and Henry, both of Akron; eleven grandchildren and one great grandchild; one sister, Mrs. Tina Pantokoek of Portland, Oregon; two brothers, Carl, of Sacramento, Calif., and Herman, of Stockholm, South Dakota; other relatives and his many friends.

His son, Frank, preceded him in death less than a year ago, or on December 27, 1957.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon of last week at the Union Creek Lutheran church, Rev. David J. Roy officiating. Hymns vere sung by Mrs. Lee Stoutenburg, Mrs. Victor Clark and Mrs. Ray Ericson, with Mrs. Henry Fickbohm as organist. Pallbearers were Robert Dirks, Chris. Greive, Walter Sierk, Carl Hitzemann, Edward Pike and Bernard Hendricks. Interment was in the church cemetery.

The following relatives and friends attended the funeral of their uncle and cousin, John T. Willms, December 5: Herman Willms, Stockholm, S. D.; Mrs. Fanny Steege, Milbank, S. D.; Mrs. Anne Ericson, Mr. Geo. Basche, Overton, Nebr.; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Dobcriner, lona, Minn.; Mrs. Geo. Basche, Mr. Arnold Basche, Mrs. Leroy Anderson, Sioux Falls, S. D.; Miss Margaret Iken, Mr. and Mrs. Neal Iken, Mr. and Mrs. Okkie Iken. Lennox, S. D.; Mr. and Mrs. Eberbard Iken, Edward and Mrs. Dorothy Van Wyhe, Mrs. Mabel Specht and Eva Lynn, Mrs. Ida Muth, Hawarden; Mr. and Mrs. Louis Willms and son, Beresford, S. S. D.; Mrs. Adele Willms Mrs. Velma Fickbohm, Alcester, S. D.; Mr. and Mrs. Art Willms and family. Garden City, Kan.; Mr. Folkert Basche, Ruthton, Minn.: Mr. John Schipper, Sr., Mr. John Schipner, Jr., Fukia, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Chris. Greive, Mr. and Mrs. Ted Browning, Mrs. R. H. Button, Mrs. Dale Halverson, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Sierk, Shirley and Judy, Mrs. Caroline Hebert, Mr. Bernard Limoges, Sioux City; Mr. and Mrs. Diedreck Siefken, Palmer, Iowa.

Akron Register Tribune
Thursday, December 11, 1958
Akron, Iowa