Marienau, William C., 1867-1930

MARIENAU, BRAAKS, WILTMAN, WILDMAN

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/12/2022 at 21:54:03

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 an 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 ere 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 FindaGrave.com page has William Carl Marienau, born 14 Dec 1867 in Litchfield, Illinois; died 4 Jan 1930 in Truman, Minn.; buried in Saint Pauls 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 Wildmann; bride Wiardina H. F. Braaks, age 18, residence Ireton, born in Germany, parents Heinrich Braaks and Friedericke Rohmann; married in Ireton February 7, 1893.