Kurtenacker, Joseph “Joe,” 1894-1940

KURTENACKER, RIZER, MARX

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/24/2021 at 20:30:10

From the Alton Democrat, January 19, 1940:

JOE KURTENACKER PASSES ON AT ALTON
SERVED IN NAVY DURING WORLD WAR
Was Manager For Swift & Co. At Albuquerque

Joseph Adam Kurtenacker of Albuquerque, N.M., passed on at the home of his sisters in Alton Saturday, Jan. 13th shortly after noon. He came here last April from Rochester, Minn., where he had undergone a serious operation, and has since been in the care of his sister Miss Margaret, a skilled trained nurse. His wife and sister Helen have also been at his side continuously and he received every loving attention. He was 45 years of age and at the height of a successful business career when stricken with illness two years ago.

He was born August 30, 1894 in Alton, the only son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Kurtenacker, early Alton residents. His father was one of Alton’s first merchants, the firm of Kurtenacker and Pins having been widely known as pioneer furniture dealers. He graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in 1912 and after his graduation was employed for a time on the Frank Even farm in South Dakota and later at the freight station here. He had an opportunity to start work in the Swift & Co. plant at Trinidad, Colo., but was employed there only three months when he decided to return to Iowa and enlist for World War service. He enlisted in the Navy at Omaha early in 1918 and after a period of training was assigned to the destroyer U.S.S. Porter which acted as convoy for ships bearing troops.

Served on Destroyer

An interesting incident of his service came to light this summer when exchanging experiences with Harry Hansen, Alton Legionaire. Harry was on his way to France on the S.S. Aquitania which was convoyed by the Porter on which Joe was gunner’s mate, but neither of the two Alton young men was aware of the other’s proximity. They recalled a terrific storm when the men on the Aquitania thought the smaller destroyer could not possibly survive. It was the worst storm of his experience on the ocean, but the boat came through.

He was discharged from the Navy in 1921 and returned to Trinidad where he advanced rapidly in the Swift plant. On Jan. 26, 1922, he married Miss Ruth Mary Rizer as the culmination of a pre-war romance. Nine years ago he was transferred to Albuquerque, N.M., where he became branch manager. Friends say that he was slated for another substantial promotion at the time he was taken ill.

In January 1938 he went to Rochester for an operation and was compelled to return for further surgical attention in March 1939. His sister Margaret and his wife joined him there and in April accompanied him to Alton where he made a brave fight to overcome his disabilities, showing remarkable courage, patience and cheerfulness during the long months of his illness. Added to his business ability and splendid character he had a modest and unassuming manner which won him friends everywhere.

He is survived by his wife and four sisters, Miss Margaret of Alton, Mrs. N. J. Krier of Minneapolis, Miss Helen of Alton, Mrs. F. M. Even of Sioux Falls. One sister, Mrs. Andrew Wagner of Ralph, S.D., passed on in 1935.

Solemn requiem high mass was held at St. Mary’s Catholic church Tuesday morning, with the pastor, Very Rev. J. A. Neppel as celebrant, Rev. R. Nemmers of Lake City as deacon, Rev. Reising of Granville as sub-deacon and Rev. Henry Pick of Sutherland as master of ceremonies.

Received Military Honors

He was accorded military honors by his comrades of Floyd Post, American Legion. Legionaires acting as pallbearers were Frank Pottebaum, Oscar Henrich, Joe Even, Dominic Hoxmeier, Matt Klein, John Schmidt. The firing squad included A. Van Nimwegen, W. B. Hyink, O. P. Kettler, Wesley Keiser, John Kool, Ben Goettsch, Hugo Jochum. Chas. B. Hoeven and Chas. Homan were color bearers, M. J. Goebel and Jim Mulder color guards. Max Kiernan sounded taps.

Out of town relatives and friends here for the services were Mrs. Kurtenacker’s brother, Paul Rizer, and Mrs. Rizer of Albuquerque; G. A. German and S. A. Middaugh, officers of Swift & Co. at Denver; Mr. and Mrs. P. M. Even, Sioux Falls; Mr. and Mrs. Nick Krier, sons Adrian and Keith, daughter Mrs. Walter Sullivan, all of Minneapolis; Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Even, daughter Mary Ann, Sioux City; Joe Determan, Early; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pins, Mr. and Mrs. Ted Pins, Mitchell, S.D.; Mrs. Henry Schlesser, Maurice; Mr. and Mrs. Nick Nemmers, John Nemmers and daughter Verna, Mrs. Kate Beaufils, Mrs. Clara Owen, all of LeMars; Mr. and Mrs. Leo Keough, Sioux City; Mrs. John Reith, Remsen; Mrs. Anna Fischbach and daughter Rose, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Gaul, Nick Neuroth, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Neuroth, Ray Muehl, Mr. and Mrs. Jake List, all of Granville.

(The obituary includes a photograph.)

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From the Albuquerque Journal, January 15, 1940:

Joseph Kurtenacker, Swift Manager Here, Dies on Iowa Visit

Joseph A. Kurtenacker, 45, manager of the Albuquerque branch of Swift and Co., died Saturday in Alton, Iowa, according to word received Sunday by D. N. Kingston. Mr. Kurtenacker had undergone several operations recently at Rochester, Minn., and died while visiting his sisters at his former home in Alton. He had been with Swift for nearly 25 years and had been manager of the local branch for 10 years.

He is survived by his wife and three sisters of Alton. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. in Alton with burial there. Mr. Kurtenacker resided at 1421 East Tijeras.

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RESEARCH NOTES

A brief obituary was published in the Hawarden Independent, January 25, 1940.

His death certificate adds his parents, William Kurtenacker, born in Germany, and Magdalena Marx, born in Luxemberg; died at 11:45 a.m. January 13, 1940; cause, carcinoma of bladder, duration 2 years; was operated on for it in June 1938 and June 1939; buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Alton.

His FindaGrave.com page adds his World War I classification: Colorado, Gunner’s mate 2d Class, U.S.N.R.F.

His World War draft registration card (June 1918?) gives his residence as Alton; occupation, bell clerk, C & NW Railway; medium height, slender build, brown eyes, brown hair.

The 1930 U.S. census shows Joe and Ruth living in Trinidad, Colorado; his occupation is salesman, packing plant.

(Ruth Mary Kurtenacker returned to her brother Paul E. Rizer’s home in Albuquerque after her husband’s death, lived in Albuquerque at least through 1950, and died in San Diego, California, in May 1995.)