Bohlken, Diedrich "Dick" 1882-1944

BOHLKEN, GABEL, WILMS

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 1/21/2012 at 16:16:42

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
August 4, 1944

DICK BOHLKEN OF AKRON PASSES AWAY MONDAY AFTERNOON
Suddenly Stricken After Returning Home From Farm

Dick Bohlken, 62, well known Akron business man and member of the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors, died unexpectedly at his home in Akron, Monday afternoon. His death was ascribed to an attack of heart trouble. Mr. Bohlken had been suffering from a heart ailment the past three weeks, but was apparently regaining his health.

The morning of his death he was up and around and went out in the country to attend to matters on the farm. Arriving home in the afternoon, he visited with neighbors who were in the house and then went into another room. A few minutes later, hearing a noise, relatives on going into the room found he had passed away.

Dick Bohlken was born in Plymouth county October 19, 1882, and was a son of Siefke Bohlken and Margaret Wilms, natives of Germany, where they were married and resided until 1867, when they came to Iowa and settled in Jones county and then came to Plymouth county in the seventies and took up a homestead on the prairie in Preston township and developed a fine farm and bought more land. Dick Bohlken received his schooling in the country school and assisted in the work on the farm and later operated the home farm. In 1912 with his brother, Will, he established a livery and feed barn in Akron and later engaged in the implement business and operated a sales barn.

He was a member of the town council in Akron from 1926 to 1930 and was Mayor of Akron from 1932 to 1938. He was elected a member of the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors in 1940 and had served one years of a second term. He was a member of the Plymouth county welfare board and a member of the Iowa County Officers Association. Mr. Bohlken was a member of the Akron Commercial Club and active in community affairs and in any project for the advancement of the town. He was an ardent supporter of baseball and all kinds of legitimate sports.

He was married to Mary Martha Gabel, March 7, 1916, who survives him with three daughters and a son; Eileen, at home; Lucille and Thelma and Darrell, of Long Beach. The son, Darrell, who had been visiting his parents, left Monday morning on his way to Long Beach and was notified at Denver to return to Akron.

Mr. Bohlken leaves four brothers and three sisters: John and Will of LeMars; George, of Long Beach, Cal.; Albert of Lisbon, North Dakota; Mrs. Sophia Ahlrichs of LeMars; Mrs. Martin Gabel, of Akron; and Mrs. Lydia Saalberg of Long Beach, Cal.

The Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. in the Akron Methodist church. Rev. A. A. Howe, the pastor, will officiate and interment will be made in Riverside Cemetery in Akron.

Offices at the courthouse will be closed Friday afternoon in order that county officials may attend the funeral.