Willer, Hans J. 1865-1942

WILLER, HEITMAN

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 6/26/2015 at 14:59:47

Akron Register-Tribune
August 27, 1942

RITES ARE HELD FOR A PROMINENT AKRON FARMER
Hans Willer Was One Of Leading Stockmen In This Territory

Hans Willer, one of the best known farmers and stockmen in Plymouth county, passed away at his home in Westfield township, southeast of Akron, at about 4 o’clock Sunday morning, August 16, 1942, following another stroke, aged 77 years, 1 month, 29 days.

Hans Willer was born in Schleswig-Holstein Germany, June 18, 1865. He came to the United States when a boy of 12 years, locating at Luzerne, Iowa. He worked for several years in Benton county, Iowa, two years at Remsen, and then returned to Keystone, Iowa, where he married Cecelia Heitman on March 11, 1892. They farmed near Keystone for eight years and then moved to a farm east of Akron, where they lived for three years. They then bought the farm where they have made their home since. With years of good planning and hard labor, Mr. and Mrs. Willer built this farm from a place with a few small buildings to be one of the largest stock farms in this community. Mr. Willer was widely known for his cattle raising and feeding, and he was always a market topper with his tock, both on the Sioux City and Chicago markets. He took great pride in his cattle feeding.

On March 11 of this year Mr. and Mrs. Willer were privileged to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary with all their children and grandchildren being present, and many friends honoring them upon the occasion.

Mr. and Mrs. Willer always enjoyed a trip to his old home in Benton county, until last year, when his health would not permit the trip.

Surviving Mr. Willer are his devoted wife, Cecelia; six sons and three daughters—Henry, of Akron; Mrs. Lena Papritz, of Akron; John, of Brunsville; Ed, Mrs. Anna Hasenbank, George and Julius, all of Akron; Ted and Louise, at home. There are 12 grandchildren; also, one sister and three brothers, Mrs. E. C. Hecht, of Hardwick, Minn.; Charlie Willer of Akron; Henry Willer, of Long Beach, Calif; and Nick Willer of Pipestone, Minn. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jergen Willer; two brothers, Peter and Julius, and one sister, Lena, preceded him in death.

Honorable and upright in all his dealings, an industrious and progressive farmer, a kind and devoted husband and father, a helpful neighbor and loyal friend, Mr. Willer will be genuinely missed and mourned in the community where he has resided for so many of the years of his useful life.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, August 18, at 2 p.m., in the family home, conducted by Rev. Ernest G. Svenson, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Akron. Miss Lulu Claasen and Kenneth Shoulberg sang “Rock of Ages” and “Abide With Me.” There was a large attendance at the services. Interment was in Riverside Cemetery.

Relatives from a distance were: Mr. and Mrs. Louie Heitman, Mrs. Mary Albertson, Mr. and Mrs. Louie Albertson, George and John Gulstorf, of Keystone, Iowa; Henry Gulstorf, Gus. Gulstorf, of Van Horne, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Ewald Albertson, of Elberon, Iowa; Mrs. Will Janss, of Troy Mills, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Lahn and family and John Lahn, of Belle Plaine, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Hecht, of Hardwick, Minn.; Mrs. Will Heins and Nick Willer, of Pipestone, Minn.; Mrs. Kate Heitmann, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Heitmann, Mrs. John Sanny and Mrs. Cecelia Haack, of Remsen, Iowa; John Schultz, of Moville, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Pete Kallsen, of LeMars, Iowa.

CARD OF THANKS.
We wish to most sincerely than the neighbors, friends and relatives for their kind assistance and sympathy during the illness and after the death of our beloved husband and father; also for the beautiful floral offerings and pantry supplies. Especially do we thank Dr. Mattison for his untiring efforts, Rev. Svenson for his comforting words, and Kenneth Soulberg and Lulu Claassen for their songs. – Mrs. Hans Willer and Children.