| |
Obituaries:
Donwen Family
Text typing
thanks to Maureen Donwen.
Mrs. Emma Marie
Donwen, 52 of 1655 Fifth street, Gering, died Wednesday morning in a
Scottsbluff hospital following a short illness.
Mrs. Donwen
was born Sept 2, 1899, in Waterloo, Ia. She married Nick F. Donwen, who
survives in Waterloo, Ia, June 4 1918.
Mrs. Donwen
and her family had lived in the Scottsbluff, Gering, area since 1942. She
was a member of the St. Mary’s Study Club and was of the Catholic faith.
Other
survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Milton Blankenburg of Lakefield
Minn., and Julie Ann Donwen at home’; two sons, Robert, Dennis and Thomas
all of Gering; three brothers nick and w m Brustkern of Waterloo Ia and
Peter Brustkern of Gilbertville Ia, one sister , Mrs. J. H. Schmitz of
Jackson, Minn., and two grandchildren.
Funeral
service are set for 9 am Saturday from St Agnes Catholic church with
Father T. Molony officiating. Burial will be in Gering’s West Lawn
cemetery.
A Rosary
will be recited at 8 p.m. both Thursday and Friday at Knight-Dennis
Funeral
Scottsbluff Daily Star-Herald September 13, 1951
Rites Friday
for John P Donwen
After being in
failing health for abut six years. John P. Donwen, 68, died Monday evening
at the Halloran Hospital. He suffered a stroke about two months ago and
never fully recovered.
Requiem mass
will be held Friday at 9:30 a.m. at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church with
Father A. E. Kuisle officiating, and burial will be made in the church
cemetery. Six nephews will be pall bearers.
Mr. Donwen
was born in Cabery, ill., March 25 1886, the son of John and Mary Donwen,
he came to Jackson in 1912 and on Jan. 29, 1913, was married at Cabery to
Clara Boesen.
Mr. Donwen
farmed near Jackson and was a member of the board of supervisors of
Enterprise township for 27 years.
Survivors
are a daughter, Mrs. Larry Miller of Tracy, Minn., two grandchildren,
Anita Miller and James Miller both of Tracy, six brothers and sister, Mrs.
Louis Soucek (Gertrude) of Minneapolis, Nicholas Donwen of Scotts Bluff,
Neb., William Donwen, Mrs. Oscar Verdick (Elizabeth) and Mrs. Albert
Blizek, (Susan), all of Jackson and Mrs. Reuel Kolander (Magdalen) of
Faribault.
Jackson –
Service for Mrs. Clara K. (Boesen) Donwen, 84, of Littleton, Colo. and
formerly of Jackson will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday. The Rosary will be
recited at the Leach Funeral Home in Jackson, with burial in the Good
Shepherd Cemetery.
Mrs. Donwen
died June 1, in San Jose, Calif. while visiting friends.
Mrs. Donwen
was born June 24, 1888 at Cabery Ill. She married John Donwen there in
1916. The couple moved to the Jackson area after their marriage and
farmed there until Mr. Donwen died 18 years ago.
Survivors
include one daughter, Mrs. Dorothy Miller of Littleton, two grandchildren
and seven great-grandchildren.
Friends may
call at the funeral home, beginning 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Photo-tombstone
William Donwen
interred July 2
Funeral
services for William Edward Donwen, 82, were held from Good Shepherd
Catholic Church on Friday. (July 2), at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Richard
Riordan officiating.
Pallbearers
were Edward Eckert, Howard Vetter, Edwin Voda, Lois Voda, Ivan Soucek, and
John Blizek, all nephews of the deceased. Burial was in the church
cemetery with Sathe and Son Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.
Mary Matuska
was organist and the Catholic Ladies group sang. Mr. and Mrs. Richard
Earhart were lectors.
Mr. Donwen
died June 29 in Rochester after and illness of three weeks, from old age
complications.
Born May 5,
1894 in Cabery, Ill., to John and Mary Schmidt Donwen, he attended country
school near Cabery. He moved to Jackson in the early 1900’s and on June
7, 1921 was married to Augusta Dostal. Mr. Donwen was engaged in bulk
petroleum sales and service; a member of the Good Shepherd Catholic
church, and belonged to the Foresters Lodge.
Survivors
are his wife Augusta, two daughters: Mrs. Rudy (Edith) Rieder, La Canada
Ca., and Mrs. Ron (Sally) Cunningham of Dallas, Texas. Two sons: Bill of
Dallas, Texas and Jon of Cincinnati, Ohio; eleven grandchildren; three
sisters and one brother.
Augusta Donwen, 93
Photo-tombstone
Funeral
services for Augusta "Gussie" Donwen of Jackson were July 19 at the
Church of the Good Shepherd with Father Rick Colletti and Father Urban
Neudecker officiating. Augusta Donwen died July 15, 1994 at the Jackson
Municipal Hospital. Burial was in the Good Shepherd Cemetery at Jackson.
Casket bearers were Alex Donwen, Leland ,James, Raiph Demehl, Jobn
Eckert. ~Harry Miller and Howard Vetter. Organist was Feme Jones with
congregational hymns. Gift bearers were Joyce Vetter and Abbie' Earhart.
Sathe & Son Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Augusta "Gussie"
Donwen was born Aug, 28, 1900, in Des Moines Township, Jackson County, to
Leo J. and Anna (Kloyda) Dostal. She attended country school in Des
Moines Township and the Jackson Public Schools. On June 7, 1921,she was
married to William E. Donwen at Jackson. After the couple's ma1Tiage, they
made their home at Jackson; and following her husband's death on June 29,
1976, Mrs. Donwen continued to live in Jackson.
She was a
homemaker and a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd at Jackson.
Survivors include two daughters, Edythe and husband Ralph Derbebl of Las
Vegas, Nev., and Sally and husband Ron Cunningham of Albuquerque, N.M.;
and two sons, Bill and wife Bonnie Donwen of Dallas, Texas, and Jon and
wife Renee Donwen of Clarksville, Ga.; along with 13 grandchildren and 14
great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a sister, Mrs. Adeline Voda of
Mankato. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and one
sister.
Mrs. Magdalene
Kolander
Jackson –
Funeral services were held here Tuesday from Church of the Good Shepherd
for Mrs. Madgalene Kolander, 66 who died Saturday at the local hospital.
The Rev. Paul Evers officiated. Burial was in the parish cemetery.
Mrs.
Kolander was born Feb. 25, 1905, at Cabery, Ill., the daughter of John and
Mary Donwen, coming to Jackson in 1912 and attending the local schools.
She had been
employed as a saleslady in a local store and was a member of the VFW
Auxiliary and her church’s Alter Society.
She is
survived by two brothers, William, Jackson, and Nick Donwen, Tulare, Calif,.
And three sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Verdick and Mrs. Albert Blizek, Jackson,
and Mrs. Louis Soucek, Minneapolis.
She was
preceded in death by her husband, and by one son, James, at the age of
eight years.
Relatives
attend Kolander funeral
A large
number of relatives attended the Magdalen Kolander funeral Tuesday at the
Church of the Good Shepherd.
They
include: Mrs. Jon Soucek, Minneapolis; Mrs. Lois Soucek, Lakeville; Mr.
and Mrs. Jerry Soucek, Jill and Joanie and Tom McGowan, Bloomington; Mrs.
George Buck and Roger, Richfield; Mrs. George Senkyr, New Prague; and Mr.
and Mrs. Roland Benson, Mitchell, S.D.
Jackson –
Service for Mrs. Albert (Susan) Blizek, 76, of Jackson will be 10:30 a.m.
Saturday at Church of Good Shepherd with burial in the church cemetery.
Mrs. Blizek
died Tuesday as St. Marys Hospital in Rochester. Visitation will be after
3 p.m. Friday at Thurmer-Leach Funeral Home of Jackson with a rosary
service at 7.30 p.m.
Susan Donwen
was born April 15, 1903, at Cabery, Ill., and married Albert Blizek Aug.
21, 1923, at Jackson. She was a member of the ladies auxiliary and the
Altar Society.
Survivors
include her husband; son, John of Prior Lake; three grandchildren; two
great grandchildren; brother Nick Donwen of Ventura, Calif,; sisters
Gertrude Soucek of Minneapolis, Elizabeth Verdick of Jackson.
Mrs. Al Blizek,
76
Funeral
services for Mrs. Al (Susan) Blizek, 76, of Jackson were held Saturday
(Feb. 16) from Good Shepherd Church in Jackson with Father Richard
Riordian officiating.
Music was
furnished by Mary Matuska and Alice Senesac. Interment was at Good
Shepherd Cemetery in Jackson with Raleigh Benson, Ivan Soucek, Bud Verdick,
Carl Larson, John David Blizek and Clair Gilmore, as pallbearers. Mick
Zebedee served as Lector, and David and Mark Macek as altar boys. John
Cirhan and Ed Eckert ushered. Thurmer-Leach Funeral Home of Jackson was
in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Blizek
died Tuesday (Feb. 12) at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester
Susan
Anastasia, daughter of John and Mary Donwen was born April 15, 1903, at
Cabery, Ill. She attended school in Cabery, Ill., and in Jackson, moving
to the Jackson area with her family at the age of 10. On August 21, 1923,
she was married to Albert Blizek at the St. Wenceslaus Church in Jackson.
She was a member of the Good Shepherd Church and Altar Society and a
member of the Ladies Auxiliary.
Survivors
include her husband, Al; one son, John Blizek of Prior Lake; three
grandchildren and two great grandchildren; one brother, Nick Donwen of
Ventura, Ca., and two sisters, Gertrude Soucek of Minneapolis and
Elizabeth Verdick of Jackson.
Preceding
her in death were one son, Donald; one daughter, Laura Jean McGuigan, and
three brothers, John Albert and William; and five sisters, Mrs. Anna
Weisenhofer, Mrs. Katherine Bergan, Mrs. Mary Soucek, Mrs. Caroline Benson
and Mrs. Magdalene Kolander
Albert Blizek,
80
Albert C.
Blizek died at the Good Samaritan Home on Nov. 22. He was 80 years old.
Blizek was a resident of the home.
Funeral
services were held Nov. 26 at good Shepherd Church. Father Richard Riordan
officiated. Mary Matuska was organist. Interment was in Good Shepherd
Cemetery.
Pall bearers
were Clair Gilmore, John Eckert, Phil Knave, Roger Meter, Fred This and
Carl Larson. Lector was William Charger. Arrangements were by Thrummed
Funeral Home.
He was born
Feb. 21, 1902 in Jackson to Albert and Mary Blizek. He attended school in
Cadet, WIC., before moving to Jackson as a teenager. He attended Lees
Barber School in St. Paul in 1920.
He was
married Aug. 21 1923 at St Wenceslaus in Jackson to Susan Donwen. She
died Feb. 12, 1980. They are survived by one son, John Blizek, Prior
Lake, and six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
He is also
survived by two sisters: Mrs. (Laureate) Daniel son of Faribault and Anna
Blizek of Wilier.
He was
preceded in death by his wife, parents, one son, Donald in childhood; one
daughter, Laura Jean McGuigan, two brothers, Frank ;and Joe and one sister
Marion Retie.
Elizabeth T.
Verdick, 90
A funeral
service for Elizabeth T. Verdick, formerly of Jackson, was held March 13,
1989, at the Church of the God Shepherd in Jackson with Revs. Urban
Neudecker and Jerome Verdick officiating. Mrs. Verdick passed away March
9, 1989, at the Methodist Hospital in Rochester.
Pallbearers
were Jay Verdick, Jim Hating, Pat Callahan, Bob Sturm, Tom Hassing and Tom
Hagmann. Gift bearers were Mary Ann Soucek and Roland Benson. The lector
was Carol Pivo. Ushers were Clair Glimore and Bill Verdick. The organist
was Mary Matuska and soloist, Cissa Tusa.
Mrs. Verdick
was born May 20, 1898, to John and Mary-Anna (Schmitt) Donwen in Cabery,
Illinois. She attended school there and in Wisconsin Township, Jackson
County. On Feb. 20, 1920, she married Oscar E. Verdick at Jackson. The
couple farmed in Wisconsin Township. Mr. Verdick passed away in 1964 and
in 1965, she moved to Jackson. She moved to Rochester in February 1987.
She was a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Jackson and a
member of the Altar Society. She was a member of the Jackson American
Legion and VFW Auxiliaries. She was a homemaker.
She is
survived by three daughters, Mrs. Lee (Evonne) Webster of Rochester; Mrs.
Bill (Trudy) Callahan of Bloomington; and Joyce Hassing of Omaha, Neb.;
one son, Bud of Rochester; 13 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and
many nieces and nephews.
She was
preceded in death by her parents, husband, four bothers and seven sisters.
Photo-tombstone
Death Summons
Beloved Pioneer Citizen Thursday
John Donwen
Passed Away at Highland Park Home After Several Months of Illness
Funeral
Services were Held Monday Morning
Highly
Esteemed by Many Admiring Friends: Will be Missed Among His Neighbours
Seldom has a
death occurred in Jackson that created more universal sorrow than when the
news that John Donwen had passed away at the Donwen family residence, 208
Emily Street, Thursday, May 1, following several months of declining
health, largely caused by his advanced age.
Mr. Donwen
was a gentleman widely known for his pleasing personality and splendid
citizenship, in fact it was an honour to enjoy his acquaintance an share
in the goodwill he contributed to the community in which for many years he
had been a leading citizen. Not only was Mr. Donwen active in church
circles, but he also was always ready and willing to assist in any worthy
cause that had for it’s purpose the making of Jackson a better and more
progressive city.
For many
years the Donwen family resided in the Wisconsin township community where
Mr. Donwen was engaged in farming, but in 1920 he decided to retire from
the farm and when the Donwen's purchased the beautiful home in Highland
Park where they have since resided and where they were beloved by their
neighbours and friends, in fact to have know the Donwens and to have been
privileged to be their friends was indeed a distinctive honour.
Probably one
of the happiest of epochs enjoyed in the long and busy lives of Mr. and
Mrs. Donwen, was the privilege on January 12, 1934, of celebrating the
anniversary of their golden wedding and when their children and neighbours
joined with them in a day of real celebration, indeed, a pleasant memory
that will long be treasured by their children in the future years.
John Donwen
was born at Wincheringen, Prussia, Germany, October 6, 1855, immigrating
to American in 1882, when he settled at Cabery, Illinois, and where on
January 12, 1884, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Schmidt. They
made their home on a farm near Cabery until 1912when they came to Jackson
County. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Donwen was blessed with the birth of
twelve children, eighth of which, together with Mrs. Donwen, survive a
kind husband and indulgent father. The children are John Donwen, Nick
Done, William Donwen, Mrs. Albert Blizek, Mrs. Joseph Maras of Jackson;
Mrs. Louis Soucek of Minneapolis; Mrs. S. Weisenhofer of Hastings,
Michigan; and Mrs. O. E. Verdick of Alpha. Three daughters and one son
preceded their father in death.
Funeral
services were held from the home Monday morning at 8.30 and from the St.
Wenceslaus’ Catholic church of which the deceased was a devout member, at
9 o’clock, with Rev. Father Felton officiating, and at which time many
beautiful floral tributes were in evidence as testimony of the high
standing in which Mr. Donwen was held by his many neighbours and friends.
Pallbearers were George Bender, Frank Fiala, Ray Lockner, Peter Verdick,
Laurence Lansing and Louis Dostal. Burial was held in the family lot in
the Catholic Cemetery.
Out of town
relatives and friends attending the service were Mrs. James Hagerty,
Harvey, Illinois William Schafroth, Kankakee, Illinois’ James Bergan, Mr.
and Mrs. John Bergan and two sons, Ashkum, Illinois; Mr. and Mrs. Max
Gatettenbauer, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Schmidt, Rock Island, Illinois’ Mr. and
Mrs. Mat Boeson, Theodore Boeson, Des Moines, Iowa; Edith Donwen, Winona;
Evonne Verdick, Rochester; Mr. and Mrs. Louis Soucek, Gertrude and Jerome,
Minneapolis.
Photo-tombstone
Mrs. John
Donwen Laid to Rest Last Friday Morning
Large
Congregation of Friends Present to Pay Final Tribute to a Splendid Citizen
and Mother
Final
tribute of love and respect was paid to the memory of Mrs. John Donwen at
funeral services held from the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Donwen, and
from St, Wenceslaus’ Catholic church last Friday morning, the services at
the church were at 9.30 o’clock with rev. Father F. J. Felten, the pastor,
presiding.
The passing
of Mrs. Donwen, while expected because of advanced age, nevertheless came
as a great shock to her family and many friends for the reason that Mrs.
Donwen was held in high esteem by all who enjoyed her rich acquaintance.
Her home life was ideal, and her service to both church and friends was an
accomplishment of a Christian and well lived life. A life consecrated to
making the world better and other people more happy.
Mrs. Donwen
was born in Garburg, Germany, July 12 1860. After coming to America her
family settled in Chicago, where on January 12 1884, she was united in
marriage to John Donwen. The Donwens resided on a farm in Martin county
until they came to Jackson county where they resided on a farm in
Wisconsin township. In 1920 they retired from the farm and came to Jackson
where they purchased the beautiful Donwen home on Highland Park, where
they resided until Mr. Donwen’s death in May, 1941.
A festivity
in the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Donwen is remember when they were privileged
to celebrate there golden wedding anniversary January 12, 1934, at which
time they were surrounded by their excellent family of boys and girls, the
celebration making one of the happiest epochs in their well lived lives.
Twelve
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Donwen, her husband, three daughters
and one son preceding her in death. The surviving children are John P
Donwen, William Donwen, Mrs. Albert Blizek, Mrs. Magdalen Maras of the
Jackson vicinity; Mrs. Oscar Verdick of Alpha; Mrs. Louis Soucek of
Minneapolis; Nick Donwen of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; Mrs. L. Weisenhofer of
Hastings, Michigan. Mrs. Weisenhofer and her son, Nick, were unable to
attend the funeral services. Mrs. Donwen also leaves to mourn her demise
38 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. Mrs. Donwen was also one of
the few gold star mothers of Jackson county, and was an ardent member of
the Catholic Alter Society.
Out of town
relatives attending the funeral were Corporal Albert Blizek of Duluth; Mr.
and Mrs. James Hagerty of Harvey, Illinois; Mrs. Edith Donwen of Chicago;
Mrs. Lois Soucek of Minneapolis; Miss Evonne Verdick of Rochester and
Joseph Blizek of Albert Lea.
Pall bearers
were Frank Fiala, P.C. Vedick, Ray Lockner, George Benda, Frank Besdicek
and Frank Matuska, Jr. Burial amid many beautiful floral offerings was
held in the Donwen family lot in the Catholic cemetery.
Bernice (Jacob)
Bergan 1997
DWIGHT -
Bernice A. Bergan, 78, of Dwight, died Tuesday (Aug. 12, 1997) at St.
Mary's Hospital in Streator.
Visitation
will be from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, with a Rosary at 7:30 p.m., and from
9-9:45 a.m. Friday, at Von Qualen-Harris Funeral Home, Dwight. A funeral
Mass will be celebrated by the Rev. James Rickey at 10 a.m. Friday at St.
Patrick's Catholic Church, Dwight, where she was a member. Burial will be
in St. Joseph Cemetery, Cabery. Memorials may be made to her church.
She was born
Aug. 25, 1918 in Cabery, the daughter of Nicholas and Emma Biskey Jacob.
She attended Cabery country schools and was a high school graduate. Her
husband, James E. Bergan, whom she married June 8, 1940 in Cabery, is
deceased.
Mrs. Bergan
was a dietitian at Kempton Grade School; a volunteer at St. Vincent DePaul
Thrift Store; and farmed for 40 years on the family farm. She was a member
of the Senior Citizens of Dwight and Cabery, the Altar and Rosary society
at her church and a retired
member of
Rogers Township Home Bureau.
Surviving
are one daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Michael Louis of Dwight; two
brothers, Francis Jacob of Kankakee and Paul Jacob of Cabery; four
grandchildren, Jeffrey and James Lovell and Michelle Louis, all of Dwight,
and Andrew Louis of San Diego, Calif.; and two great- grandchildren.
Deceased are three brothers and one sister.
Mary (Bergan)
Suchak 1999
CLIFTON - Mary
Ellen Bergan Hagarty Suchak, 88, of Clifton, died Friday (Aug. 6, 1999) in
Clifton.
A funeral
Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at Merkle Knipprath Nursing
Home Chapel, Clifton (one mile east of I-57). There will be a short
visitation prior to the Mass.
Burial will be
in St. Joseph Cemetery, Cabery. Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, Oak Lawn, was in
charge of arrangements.
She was born
Jan. 22, 1911 in Milks Grove.
Mrs. Suchak
was self-employed in the dry cleaners/laundry business.
Surviving
are one sister-in-law, Anna Elizabeth Bergan of Cabery; three nieces, Sue
Ann Fraher of Oak Lawn, Sally Myers and Nancy Louis of Dwight; and two
nephews, James G. Bergan of Australia and Michael Bergan of Elgin.
John Francis
Bergan 1988
John Francis
Bergan was born January 20th, 1915. He was the son of James E. Bergan and
Catherine Donwen Bergan. He was born in his home in Milks Grove, IL - now
Clifton , IL. His mother died when he was 4 years old (Following
complications of childbirth). His sister, Mary Ellen was 6 at the time.
The new baby was raised by his dad's brother, Jerry and wife Winnie. The
three of them stayed on the farm and in 1917, his dad bought the present
Bergan Farms. There were two houses on the property at that time and the
hired man and his family lived in one, with his wife helping Grampa with
the care of the children. They lived there until John was in fourth grade.
During this time , their dad dated a woman with the intention of marrying
her, but she was quickly gone when she talked of putting the children in a
boarding school. While in Kankakee, they lived with their grandparents,
(John and Mary Bergan) and he attended St.Patrick grade school. After two
years, they moved to Harvey, Il where he attended Ascension Grade School
and then graduated from Thorton High School. They lived in a two-flat and
the girl next door was Elizabeth Modschiedler. He married her at Ascension
Church on April 15th, 1937. They moved to the Gardner farm (with no
electricity or running water) and he began farming..A son James Garth was
born to them on April 4th, 1938.After a year they moved to Windy Hill and
farmed there for three years. (Chickens had been raised in this one.)
Another son, John Anton "Jack" was born August 9th, 1939. They then moved
to the farm were he was to live and farm most of his life. ( Electicity and
eventually running water.) His father lived with him until he died May 3,
1957.
A sweet
daughter, Sue Ann was born October 1st, 1942 and another one, Sally
Katherine on April 6, 1945. On Aril 14, 1952, Michael Raymond arrived two
months late. Mom had all of the kids in a Harvey hospital ( she stayed at
her mother's, Anna Modschiedler) and as she was due the end of February,
she had gone there the middle of the month. Dad and Grampa took care of
the 4 kids for 2 months. |
