Tank, John, 1868-1953

TANK, BODE, GREVE

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/22/2013 at 00:32:54

Large Crowd at John Tank Funeral Monday Afternoon

A very large crowd attended the funeral services for Mr. Tank which were held at the home at 1:30 Monday and at Peace Lutheran church at 2 p.m. with Rev. C. J. Rebelein officiating and Vander Ploeg's Funeral home having charge of the funeral arrangements. Special music included "Heaven Is My Home" and "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" sung by Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Williams. Pall bearers were Fred Dierks, Ed Miller, Albert Klein, Hans Moeller, Robert Gayer and Carl Tank. Burial was made in Peace Lutheran cemetery.

John Tank, son of Jacob and Catherine Bode Tank, was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, on May 24, 1868. When he was 17 years old he came to America to his sister who lived near Garwin, Iowa. On Feb. 17, 1893, he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Greve of Gladbrook. To this union six daughters were born, two of whom died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Tank came to Sioux county and Plato township and settled on a farm. In the spring of 1921 they came to Rock Valley where they have lived since. Just recently on Feb. 17, they observed their 60th wedding anniversary quietly at the Sioux Center hospital where he had been a patient since Dec. 4.

Mr. Tank, who was baptized in infancy and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, was a member of Peace Lutheran church and on Nov. 23 had still attended services at the church. However, he became ill the following week and was taken to the hospital where he remained until his death April 4.

Mr. Tank leaves to mourn his death his wife and four daughters, Alvine (Mrs. Fred Dierks), Emma (Mrs. Edwin Miller), Emilie (Mrs. Albert Klein) of Inwood, and Catherine (Mrs. Hans Moeller), as well as 15 grandchildren and 8 greatgrandchildren. He was the last of his sisters and brothers. Three sisters and two brothers preceded him in death: Carl of Rock Valley and [Mrs.] Able Stamp of Gladbrook, and the other in Germany. Mr. Tank attained the age of 84 years, 10 months and 10 days.

Source: Rock Valley Bee, April 9, 1953.

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A shorter obit in the Sioux Center News (April 9) adds the residences of his daughters: Alvina Dierks in Sioux Center, Emma Miller in Rock Valley, Emilie Klein in Inwood, and Catharine Moeller in Rock Valley. He had two brothers, Carl and one who died in infancy, and three sisters, Mrs. Able Stamp of Gladbrook and two who died in infancy.