Marienau, William Carl 1867-1930 & Verdene Braaks Family

MARIENAU, BRAAKS, WILTMAN, ROHMAN

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 8/9/2023 at 07:40:43

Marienau, William Carl 1867-1930 & Verdene Braaks Family

This story was taken from pages 430-431 of the Ireton Centennial Book (1882-1982). The story was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society. Some research notes were added by Wilma J. Vande Berg.

William Carl Marienau was born in Lithfield, Il. on Dec. 14, 1867. He was the son of Heinrich and Charlotta (Wiltmann) Marienau. The family finds its roots in Hanover, Germany, where Heinrich Marienau, Sr. was born in 1828 and Charlotta Wiltmann was born in 1828. They came to Franklin Co., Mo. In 1854 and in Feb. 1855 the two were married. After the Senior Heinrich died in 1881, the widow and her children moved to Plymouth Co., Ia.

About 1885 William came to Ireton, Ia. with his brother Fred and Fred’s wife and small son, Ben. Will and Fred set up a general store in Ireton, with Fred finally taking over the store on his own and William went to farming.

William Carl Marienau was married in Feb. 1893 to Verdene Braaks, who was born Mar. 20, 1973, in Pewsom, Germany, coming to Ireton in 1887. She was the second of three children born to Habbe and Fredericka (Rohman) Braaks.

In 1917, William and Verdene, accompanied by their son Henry and family, moved to Truman, Mn. and engaged in farming. Both William and Verdene are buried there.

William Carl and Verdene were the parents of these children: 1. Carolyn (Gronemeyer) was born in 1893 and died in 1957. 2. Henry was born in 1895 and died in Nov. 1975 at Hawarden. 3. Walter Marienau was born in 1896 and died in Feb. 1965. 4. Otto Marienau was born in Mar. 1898 and died in Feb. 1966. 5. Anna (Wohlrabe) was born in Nov. 1899 and died in Dec. 1968. 6. Alvin was born Oct. 1901. 7. Mabel (Reinke) was born June 1903. 8. Esther (Popkin) was born Apr. 1906. 9. Viola (Weyen) was born Oct. 1907. 10. Leone (Ludwigs) was born Aug. 1908. 11. Carl was born Mar. 1911. 12. Wylma (Larson) was born May 1913. 13. Paul was born June 1915 and died Aug. 1966.

RESEARCH NOTES – Added by Wilma J. Vande Berg
From a family report on Ancestry.com public member trees submitted by other than this submitter.

William Carl Marienau born 14 Dec 1867 Lichfield, IL died 4 Jan 1930 Thruman MN. His parents were Heinrich Henry William Marienau 1829-1881 and Charlotta Wilhelmine Wiltman 1828-1906. He married Verdena Henrietta Frederike Braaks 2 July, 1893 Ireton IA

Verdena Henrietta Frederike Braaks was born Pewsum, Aurich, Niedersachsen, Germany and died 6 Apr 1940 Mankato, MN. She was the daughter of Habbe Wiard Braaks 1845-1923 and Frederika Caroline Rohman.

CHILDREN – of William Marienau and Verdena Braaks
Since most of the children left the Sioux County IA area, limited information was gathered as best could find from various sites on ancestry.com and from Find A Grave etc. If people are still living their information in not posted on the internet.

1. Carolyn Marienau (Gronemeyer) born 1893 died 1957.
Find A Grave lists Karolyn C. Marienau Gronemeyer born 15 Jul 1893 Ireton IA died 17 Feb 1957 Le Mars IA, buried St. John’s cemetery Craig IA. Husband Fredrick Johann Gronemeyer and children listed were Loris Ruth Caroline Marienau Gabel, Velma Clara Ann Marienau Wiltgen, Lyle Frederick Gronemeyer.

2. Henry Marienau born 1895- died Nov 1975 Hawarden IA.
Obit- Funeral services were held at Trinity Lutheran Church at Hawarden at 1:30 P.M., November 20 for Henry F. Marienau, 80, of Hawarden, who died November 17 at a Hawarden hospital after a long illness. Services were conducted by the Rev. Dwight E. Rengstorf and burial was in Pleasant Hill cemetery at Hawarden. Mr. Marienau was born March 6, 1895, at Ireton. He married Alvina Schmedhans May 18, 1917, at Ireton. They lived in Hawarden for the past 29 years.
Survivors include the widow; a daughter, Mrs. Bernard (Donna) Koob of Hawarden; two sons, Verle of Hawarden and Wayne of Spokane, Wash., 13 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; two brothers, Al of Minneapolis, and Carl of Austin, Minn.; and four sisters, Mrs. John (Ester) Popken of Akron, Mrs. Henry (Viola) Weyen of Beresford, S.D., Mrs. Wm. (Leona) Ludwig of LeMars, and Mrs. Herb (Wilma) Larson of Amboy, Minn. Source: Sioux Center News, November 26, 1975
3. Walter Marienau born 1896 died Feb 1965
Find A Grave lists Walter Carl Marienau born 15 Jul 1896 Ireton IA died 1 Feb 1965 Princeton, Mille Lacs County MN Wife #1. Della Jackson 1896-1918 and #2. Gertrude A. Lamb 1893-1962. Indicates both had at least one child not named.

4. Otto Marienau born 23 Mar 1898 died 21 Feb 1966 Death record lists Otto H. Marienau born 23 Mar 1898 died 21 Feb 1966 Los Angeles CA. His wife was Hilda Greenwood 1890-1965, they had at least one child not named.

5. Annna Louise Marienau (Wohlrabe) born 30 Nov 1899 Sioux County IA died 15 Dec 1968 Blue Earth County MN . Husband Carl Wohlrabe 1892 died 5 Ost 1963 Find A Grave listed Three children Elaine Caroline Deleski, Betty Ann Irvine and Verdeen Marcella Keith. .

6. Alvin Bernhard Marienau born 3 Oct 1901 Washington Twp Sioux county, died 5 Dec 1984 Minneapolis MN Wife was Viola born 1903, Two children listed as Alvin Bernard Marienau and Dennia Dale Marienau.

7. Mabel Gretha Helena Marienau (Renke) born 8 Jun 1903 Sioux County IA, died 29 Jun 1975 Bemidji MN. Husband Wesley Reinke 1899-1961 Find A Grave listed two children Faima Nadine Zenk and Dolph Eugene Reinke. Four children indicated not all named.

8. Esther Marienau (Popken) born 25 Apr 1906 Ireton Washington Twp Sioux County IA died 26 Sep 2002 Akron IA. Husband John C. Popken 1898-1981. One child listed on Find A Grave as Ramona Viola Vander Hamm.

9. Viola Marienau born Oct 1907 Husband Henry Weyen 1902-1981 Three children indicated. Find A Grave lists Viola Marienau Weyen born 1907 died 1985 buried in Union County SD Three children listed as Ronald Romain Weyen, Richard Weyen and Janet O’Connell Green.

10. Leona Bertha Marienau Borchers (Ludwigs) born 17 Aug 1908 died 28 Oct 1998 LeMars IA buried Craig IA. Husband Eilert Borchers born 1902-1950 Two children – Arlen Borchers 1932-1951 and Thomas Linn Borchers.

11. Carl Marienau born 15 Mar 1911 died 19 Oct 1980 Austin, Mower, MN Wife Zelda M. Gieseke 1912-2005 Children Charlotte Huston and Royce Reed Marienau.

12. Wylma Lois Marienau (Larson) born 29 May 1913 Ireton IA died 25 Oct 2006 Mapleton, Blue Earth MN, buried Winnebago, Faribault, MN Husband Herbert Larson 1900-1969 child James Herbert Larson

13. Paul Louis Marienau born 23 Jun 1915 Sioux county IA died 16 Aug 1966 Faribault MN . Wife Fern Irene Schuler and two children, Patti Lou and Tanya Irene Marienau.

OBITUARY OF WILLIAM CARL MARIENAU
From the Ireton Ledger, January 9, 1930:
W. C. MARIENAU, PIONEER HERE, DIED IN MINNESOTA
William C. Marienau, a former well known resident of Ireton and vicinity, passed away at his home at Truman, Minn., on Saturday, Jan. 4, after suffering for more than a year from internal cancer. Funeral services were held last Tuesday and those from here in attendance were F. W. Marienau, W. A. Marienau, Zana Holtdorf and Henry Braaks.
The deceased came to Ireton with his mother in 1883 when the town was in its infancy and grew to manhood here. For a number of years, he with his brother, F. W., was engaged in the mercantile business, and later he engaged in farming in this vicinity. He left here 11 years ago locating on a farm in Nebraska, and after disposing of this farm returned to Ireton and later located in Minnesota where he had since resided.
The following obituary will be published this week in the newspaper at Truman, Minn.:
William C. Marienau, who with his family has been living here since 1918, passed away at his house southwest of town after having suffered with internal cancer for almost a year. He was 63 years of age at the time of his death. Death came to Mr. Marienau after a long illness filled with pain and agony and many months spent in bed. He was a patient suffered throughout his long illness and death to him was a welcome relief.
Funeral services were conducted from the family home Tuesday afternoon and services were in charge of Rev. H. Heenemann. After the services in the house the funeral procession came to Truman where services were conducted at the Lutheran church. Interment was made in the Lutheran cemetery north of town. A large number of friends, relatives and neighbors attended the last sad rites.
Mr. Marienau was born at Litchfield, Ill., on Dec. 14, 1867. When he was sixteen years of age his father died and he with his mother moved to Ireton, Iowa. Here he grew to manhood and on Feb. 7, 1892 was married to Dena Braaks. Thirteen children were born to this union, all living and all came to visit their father in his last illness, although they are scattered all over the country.
In 1918 the Marienau family moved to Truman, which has since been their home. Last spring he became ill and went to Rochester where he submitted to an operation but in spite of the operation and medical aid the malignant disease became worse and he suffered patiently until death relieved him on Jan. 4th.
Mr. Marienau leaves to mourn his death his faithful and loving wife and thirteen children and four brothers. The children are Mrs. F. J. Gronmeyer and Henry Marienau, Ireton, Ia., Walter Marienau, Duluth, Minn., Otto Marienau of Los Angeles, Cal., Mrs. C. C. Wohlrabe of Amboy, Minn., Alvin Marienau of Mankato, Minn., Mrs. Wesley Reinke of Santa Ana, Cal., Mrs. John Popken of Akron, Iowa, Viola, Leone, Carl, Wilma and Paul at home. The four brothers are Ernest Marienau of Le Mars, Henry Marienau of Hildreth, Neb., John Marienau of Dickens, Iowa, and Fred Marienau of Ireton, Iowa.
Mr. Marienau was highly respected in this community and the people of Truman and vicinity will join in extending their sympathy to the bereaved mother and children.
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RESEARCH NOTES
Minnesota death certif. # 1930-MN-008126 (informant H. F. Marienau) has William Carl Marienau, wife Dena Marienau; born December 14, 1867 in Litchfield, Illinois; parents Henry Marienau and Charlotte Wiltman, both born in Germany; occupation farmer; died at 7 p.m. January 4, 1930 in Waverly Township, Martin County; cause, carcinoma of bladder and adnexia[?], duration 1 year; an operation (nature unspecified) had been performed in May 1929; buried in Lutheran Cemetery, Truman, Minnesota.
His Find a Grave.com page has William Carl Marienau, born 14 Dec 1867 in Litchfield, Illinois; died 4 Jan 1930 in Truman, Minn.; buried in Saint Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, Truman. Mother Charlotte Wilhelmine Wiltman Marienau (1828-1906). Siblings Heinrich George Marienau (1850-1934), Ernest Henry Marienau (1859-1938), John A. Marienau (1861-1942), and Frederick William Marienau (1865-1943). Wife [listed as one of his children] Verdena Henrietta Frederike Braaks Marienau (1875-1940), Children Caroline G. Marienau Gronemeyer (1893-1957), Henry Fredrick Marienau (1895-1975), Walter Carl Marienau (1896-1965), Anna Louise Marienau Wohlrabe (1899-1968), Alvin Bernard Marienau (1901-1984), Carl William Marienau (1911-1980). There is a photo of the joint headstone of him and his wife.
The Sioux County marriage register for 1893 has groom William C. Marienau, age 26, resident of Ireton, a farmer, born in Litchfield, Ill., parents Heinrich Marienau and Charlotte Wiltmann; bride Wiardina H. F. Braaks, age 18, residence Ireton, born in Germany, parents Heinrich Braaks and Friedericke Rohmann; married in Ireton February 7, 1893.

OBITUARY OF VERDENE BRAAKS
From the Alton Democrat, April 12, 1940:
Mrs. Marienau Passes at Truman, Minn.
Word was received at Ireton early Sunday of the death of Mrs. Dena Marineau of Truman, Minn., who passed away at a Mankato hospital. Deceased was 65 years of age, the mother of twelve grown children, and a former resident of the Ireton community. Funeral services were held at Truman Tuesday, the following from here attending the last rites: Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Braaks, son Louis and daughter Erma, Mr. and Mrs. B. Muilenburg, Mrs. Louise Kluter and children, Mr. and Mrs. C. Braaks and daughter. Burial was made at Truman beside the remains of her husband who passed away some years ago.
* * * * * * * * * *
From the Hawarden Independent, April 11, 1940:
Death Claims Former Resident
Mrs. Verdena Marienau, 64, well known resident of Ireton and vicinity for many years, died Sunday in the Immanuel hospital at Mankato, Minn., after a lingering illness caused by diabetes and complications. Funeral services were held Tuesday in St. Paul’s Lutheran church in Truman with Rev. J. Hasse and Rev. W. Schultz in charge. Interment was in Truman.
Verdena Braaks, daughter of Habbe and Karoline Romann, was born June 14, 1875, at Ost Friesland, Germany, and came to America with her parents when she was twelve years old. The family located in Ireton and she was united in marriage with William C. Marienau February 7, 1893. In 1907 they moved to Wilcox, Neb., where they resided two years and then returned to Ireton and lived here and in Plymouth county for several years. In 1918 they moved to Truman, Minn., and farmed near there until the death of her husband in 1930.
Thirteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Marienau, all of whom survive. They are Mrs. Karoline Gronemeyer, Preston township, Plymouth county; Henry of Ireton; Walter of New Ulm, Minn.; Otto of Los Angeles, Calif.; Mrs. Anna Wolrabe and Mrs. Wilma Larsen of Amboy, Minn.; Mrs. Mable Reinke of Fairmont, Minn.; Alvin, Carl and Paul of Mankato, Minn.; Mrs. Viola Weyen of Hawarden; Mrs. Esther Popken of Akron, and Mrs. Leona Borchers of LeMars. There are 29 grandchildren. She is also survived by her mother, Mrs. H. W. Braaks of Ireton, five sisters and many other relatives.
Mrs. Marienau was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran church in Truman and active in community and social life. She was a devoted mother and home maker.
Mr. and Mrs. John Popken and Mr. and Mrs. Gene Gabel of Akron, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gronemeyer of Craig, Mr. and Mrs. Eilert Borchers, Mrs. Walter Painton and Miss Velma Gronemeyer of LeMars, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Marienau, Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Braaks, Mr. and Mrs. Bas Muilenburg, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Braaks and Mrs. Louisa Kluter of Ireton and Mrs. Henry Weyen of Hawarden attended the funeral.
(A similar obituary was published in the Truman Tribune, April 11, 1940.)
* * * * * * * ** *
RESEARCH NOTES
Minnesota death certificate 1940-MN-001190 (informant A. L. Marienau), has Verdena F. Marienau, husband William C. Marienau; born June 14, 1876 in Hanover, Germany, parents Harvey Brakss and Charlotte Romaine; occupation housewife, last worked 1938; resident in Mankato, Minnesota 7 years 6 months; died in Imanual Hospital, Mankato, at 7:18 p.m., April 1940; cause, multiple abscesses in genitals and lower abdomen duration 3 months; contributory cause, diabetes mellitus, unknown duration; buried in Truman, Minnesota.
Her FindaGrave.com page has Verdena Henrietta Frederike Braaks Marienau; born 14 June 1875 in Pewsum, Landkreis Aurich, Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen), Germany; died 6 April 1940 in Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.; buried in Saint Pauls Lutheran Cemetery, Truman, Martin County, Minn. Father Habbe Wiards Braaks (1845-1923). Husband William Carl Marienau (1867-1930). Children Caroline G. Marienau Gronemeyer (1893-1957), Henry Fredrick Marienau (1895-1975), Walter Carl Marienau (1896-1965), Anna Louise Marienau Wohlrabe (1899-1968), Alvin Bernard Marienau (1901-1984), Carl William Marienau (1911-1980). There is a photo of the joint headstone of her and her husband.
The Sioux County marriage register for 1893 has groom William C. Marienau, age 26, resident of Ireton, a farmer, born in Litchfield, Ill., parents Heinrich Marienau and Charlotte Wiltmann; bride Wiardina H. F. Braaks, age 18, residence Ireton, born in Germany, parents Heinrich Braaks and Friedericke Rohmann; married in Ireton February 7, 1893.
In the 1930 U.S. census (April 11) for Waverly Township, Martin County, Minnesota, Dena Marineau is listed as head of household, married (but no husband listed, he had died in January), a farmer, with her sons Carl (19) and Paul (14) and daughter Wilma (16). Her immigration year is given as 1888. In the 1940 census for Mankato, Minn., taken April 3 (just before her death), she (as Verdena), age 64, is living with her son Alvin L. (39, widowed), an automobile salesman, and his son Dennis; they had lived in the same place in 1935.
 
Picture taken from page 431 of the Ireton Centennial book 1882-1982

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