Brunkhorst, Henry, 1864-1931

BRUNKHORST, BRONKHORST, IMBROCK, EMBROCK

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/19/2010 at 20:25:36

IRETON AND VICINITY:
Henry Brunkhorst Dies Suddenly

Henry Brunkhorst was suddenly stricken with a hemorrhage of the brain while returning home from the postoffice between 4:30 and 5 o'clock last Friday afternoon. He and a friend had been out on the creek fishing that afternoon and, except for a cold, he was in his usual good spirits. When he reached home his wife noticed at once that something was wrong as he had lost control of his speech. A physician was called early in the evening but it was evident that he was in a serious condition and by midnight he lapsed into unconsciousness and remained in that state until 8:45 Sunday evening [Oct. 11] when death came to his relief. All that medical skill and loving hands could do was done but death would not be denied. His sudden passing is a shock to the whole community where he had lived so many years and where he had so many friends. He was always industrious and was a splendid neighbor, ready at all times to lend a helping hand. Honesty was no by-word with him.

Henry Brunkhorst was born on April 4, 1864, at Ostervesede, Germany, where also he was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church. In his early youth he suffered the loss of his father. Growing to young manhood in the home of his mother and stepfather, he heard of the opportunities in America and decided to emigrate. Coming to America he established his first residence in Nebraska. About 1895 Mr. Brunkhorst came to Sioux county and on October 15, 1897, entered holy matrimony with Miss Minnie Imbrock. Mr. and Mrs. Brunkhorst engaged in farming for about ten years. Thereafter they decided to live in Ireton where they established a home which they occupied together for the last twenty-five years.

Mr. Brunkhorst enjoyed good health up until last Friday evening, when he suffered a stroke of apoplexy. After uttering a short prayer he lapsed into unconsciousness and departed this life peacefully on Sunday evening, Oct. 11. He attained the age of 67 years, 6 months and 7 days.

His demise is mourned by his widow, Mrs. Minnie Brunkhorst; one brother, one half brother and one half sister, who reside in Germany, and one nephew in Canada.

Mr. Brunkhorst was a lifelong, faithful member of the Lutheran church and greatly interested in St. Paul's Lutheran church at Ireton. For many years he served the congregation as secretary, as sexton, and as janitor. His regular attendance at church services is noteworthy, in that it identified him as one who gladly heard the Word of God for instruction unto salvation. The congregation as well as the entire community deeply regret his departure and extend to the bereaved widow their sincere sympathy. May he rest in peace.

The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 from the house and at 2 o'clock from St. Paul's Lutheran church, with Rev. Bruch in charge. The church was filled with sorrowing relatives and friends. Beautiful floral offerings attested to the esteem in which the departed was held.

Source: Hawarden Independent, Oct. 15, 1931.

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From the Ireton Ledger, Oct. 15, 1931:

OLD SETTLER DIES SUDDENLY OF APOPLEXY

The entire community was deeply grieved when it was learned that Henry Bronkhorst had passed away Sunday evening following a short illness resulting from an apoplectic stroke, and it was a shock to many who did not know that he had been ill. The deceased had been enjoying good health up to the time he was stricken, last Friday. On that day he, with Louis Meyers, had spent most of the day fishing and seemed to be in the best of spirits though he had complained of a slight pain in the head. Upon his arrival home he hastened to the post office for the mail and it is thought that in his anxiety to reach the post office before it closed his trouble was aggravated to the extent that it hastened his collapse. Shortly after his return home he became insensible and never regained consciousness, passing away peacefully Sunday evening.

Mr. Bronkhorst had been a resident of this community for the past 36 years and was always held in the highest esteem by everyone with whom he became acquainted. He was possessed of frugality and a cheerful and jovial disposition and his home life and community life was ideal in every respect. He is deeply mourned by his relatives and a wide circle of friends.

[The remainder of the obit is similar to that in the Hawarden Independent, and contains the same information.]

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[A shorter obit in the Sioux Center News, Oct. 15, 1931, gives his wife's name as Emma Embrock; says that during his residence here he made two trips to his boyhood home and to visit relatives in Germany; and states that he has several nieces and nephews. It spells his surname Bronkhorst.]

[News notes about the couple in various newspapers over the years spell their surname both Brunkhorst and Bronkhorst.]