Emigrants
of
Zacharias
Schömbs

 

Emigrants
of
Zacharias
Schömbs

 

Emigrants
of
Zacharias
Schömbs

 

Emigrants
of
Zacharias
Schömbs

 

The Muenzenbergers

CLICK to trace the ancestors of Wolfgang Münzenberger




Wolfgang Ernst Münzenberger (*1802 Undenheim, +1885 Greenfield Twp WI)

One of the interesting findings of 2001 was another branch of descendants (of Zacharias Schömbs) who emigrated and settled in Wisconsin. The emigrants -- Wolfgang "Ernst" Münzenberger (the great-great-grandson of Zacharias Schömbs and grandson of Anna Katharina Schömbs (1721)) and his wife Christina emigrated in 1847 with at least seven children. It is clear from various documents he preferred to be called "Ernst". There are now probably more than a thousand descendants of Ernst and Christina.

The spelling of the family name in Germany was Münzenberger. When the family emigrated it became anglicized. The "ü" (or u umlaut) becomes "ue" and hence the family name "Muenzenberger." The normal way to remove an umlaut is to add an "e". As an example "ö" becomes "oe".

Birth and Marriage of Wolfgang Ernst Münzenberger

Wolfgang Ernst and Christina Mühl (*02.02.1810 Undenheim, +about 1848) married. Christina was the daughter of Adam and Margaretha Gesell Mühl of Undenheim. The ceremony was on 1 April 1829 in the Catholic Church in Undenheim.

The Münzenberger Story is in the process of being written. Please revisit periodically to see the story as it comes together.





Emigration and Their First Years in Amerika

From the Naturalization Card for Ernst, we know the family emigrated in July of 1847 entering the United States through the gateway port of New York City.

The family emigrated from Germany aboard the ship Judah Touzer. They embarked from the port of Le Havre, France. From the passenger list we see that nine of their children emigrated. It is an interesting passenger list. Passenger lists usually give the first and last names of the passengers as well as their ages. They are always farmers, even the infants. In this case just their initial is given. Fortunately most all the ages agree with the German church records of their births, even considering whether they had had their 1947 birthdays by July. The only exceptions are 11.8 Margaretha and 11.9 Philip. From the passenger lists we learn that 11.5 Anton and 11.10 Dieter died in Deutschland prior to the family's emigration.

The first record we have of the Münzenbergers in Amerika is from three years later -- the 1850 U.S. Census. The family was living in Greenfield Township, Milwaulee County, Wisconsin. Here we see that Christina has died. We do not have a death record for her.

In 1855 Wolfgang Ernst "Ernst" is enumerated in the Wisconsin state census. The family was still living in Greenfield, Milwaukee County WI. The Census captured minimal information. We know there were four males and three females in the home. When we have the marriage information of all the children, we can speculate upon who the seven were.

Greenfield Township -- and the other Towns and Counties

Town County Reference
Greenfield Milwaukee Mil-Cty
Greenfield La Crosse LaC-Cty
... ... ...
In understanding the family history of the Wolfgang Ernest Münzenberger family, one comes across many records of Greenfield Township where many of the family lived. But there are multiple Greenfield Townships in Wisconsin. And the Muenzenbergers lived in at least two. The first being in Milwaukee County in the southeast part of the state. The second being in La Crosse County in the southwest part. Some of the family migrated from Milwaukee to La Crosse County. Some remained in Milwaukee County. This we will see as the story is researched and written. In the story below the counties are often included to enable the reader to understand to which town is being referred.

Relatives as Neighbors

Wolfgang Ernst and Barbara Münzenberger had many children, many grandchildren, and so forth. There were also other families who emigrated from Undenheim at about the same time. The families began to intermarry - the Clements, Hess, Newburg, Moldenhauer, etc. And living in small towns they often were neighbors. Examples are Greenfield Township, LaC-Cty, in 1874, 1906, 1913, and 1930. As well as Newburg Corners in 1915. The Plat Map highlights show relatives and their land ownerships.

Other Münzenberger Immigrants in Wisconsin

While this Chapter is the story of Wolfgang Ernst Münzenberger (*1802 Undenheim), it is worthwhile to also provide information of other "Münzenbergers" who descend from the 1741 marriage of Maria Katharina Schömbs (*1720 Undenheim) and Johann Balthasar Münzenberger (*1718 Zornheim). In this context descendant emigrants who have many descendants themselves are given their own chapter. However, there are cases where the emigrants themselves have very few, if any, descendants and a separate chapter is not provided. These descendants might no longer carry the Münzenberger name, if they descend through daughters whose family names changed through marriage.

8.8 Johannes Münzenberger (*27.05.1829 Undenheim)

Or as he was known in Amerika, John Muenzenberger. Johannes was the son of Wolfgang Ernst's older brother 11.4 Johannes Münzenberger (*1781). Therefore John was the nephew of 11.11 Wolfgang Ernst (*1802). Based upon the information in both the 1900 and 1910 Census, John emigrated in 1867, three years after the American Civil War was over and emigration from Europe had re-commenced. John was therefore thirty-eight years old and presumably single when he emigrated.

To go to Johannes in the Germany story, click on the Link on his name above.

The first record we have of John is the 1900 Census. He is enumerated on Line 13 of the Census page. John and his wife Wilhelmina (*March 1832) are reported to have been married forty years. This is clearly wrong and will soon become evident. Wilhelmina had had no children (Column 11). They rented their house at 702 Sixth Street in Milwaukee. John was a tailor by profession.

Now the story becomes more interesting. Subsequent research by Monika Schoembs uncovered records on Wilhelmina's past, prior to her 1888 marriage with John. It appears that John was her fourth husband! Second marriages were rare at the time. Fourths were unprecedented.

Let's start with the marriage of John and Wilhelmine Trefzer Keil (*10.03.1832 Obertegernau, Tregernau, Schopfheim, Baden Germany) on 26 March 1888. The record spells John's family name "Marenzenberger". With that exception it correctly identifies John's parents. Wilhelmine's parents were named "Trefzer", she was born in Baden, Germany. John was fifty-nine years old, Wilhelmine was fifty-six. The birthdate for Wilhelmine comes from a family tree in familysearch.com. We do not have independent confirmation of this information. Her parents are covered by the detail box for Wilhelmine.

But her name in the 1888 marriage record is Wilhelmine Trefzer Keil. Another record reports her 1868 marriage to Gottlieb Johann Friedrich Keil (#3 marriage). Wilhelmine's parents are consistent with the 1888 marriage record. Wilhelmine was thirty-six. There are additional records on the web indicating that a Gottlieb Keil (*~1930) was an inmate in a Wisconsin asylum in 1905 and died there in 1910. This could explain the reason this marriage ended, assuming it is the same Gottlieb Keil.

Gottlieb and Wilhelmine are enumerated in the 1870 and 1880 Census. Gottlieb was a cabinet maker.

But the 1868 marriage to Keil gives the family name for Wilhelmine as "Lemke", not Trefzer. Another marriage (#2)! On 9 January 1867 Wilhelmine and John Lembke married. Again Wilhelmine's parents are given. But Wilhelmine's family name is shown as "Sutterli" (#1). We have not located a record of Wilhelmine marrying a Sutterli. But the marriage may well have occurred.

It is worth noting that the marriage of Wilhelmine to Gottlieb Keil was fourteen months after the marriage of Wilhelmine and Lembke! It did not last long at all. This is important later

Wilhelmine Muenzenberger (*1832) Gravestone
Click to enlarge
Now back to the marriage of John and Wilhelmine in 1888. John was fifty-nine years old, Wilhelmine fifty-six when they were wed. They are enumerated in the 1900 Census as stated above. And five years later they are in the 1905 Wisconsin State Census. John was a tailor. Wilhelmine passed away on 17 August 1908 and was buried in the Union Cemetery in Milwaukee County. She died a Muenzenberger, seventy-six years old!

The next record for John is from 1908. John, age seventy-eight, is a widower and marrying a widow, age sixty-three, by the name of Emilie Groth (*1845). The marriage record also provides the given name of John's father. It is also John Muenzenberger (or actually Johannes Münzenberger), which is correct. The marriage was on 15 October 1908 in Milwaukee.

Now Wilhelmine had died on 17 August 1908. John and Emilie were married on 15 October 1908, less than two months later. Emilie then died before the 1910 Census. When one is at an advanced age, it is necessary to make decisions and move quickly!

The final record we have of John is from the 1910 Census. John was boarding in the Dryden's home in Milwaukee. Another member of the house was Emma Schwamb. The Schwambs were, and still are today, prominent citizens in Undenheim.

To view some of the entire original Census pages, Click on the Link for John Muenzenberger (*1829) in "Live Links" at the bottom of this page.

Deaths of Wolfgang Ernst and Christina

As mentioned above, Christina passed away sometime after their arrival in Amerika and Wisconsin. It is not known were she is buried. Reports that she was buried in Saint Joseph Ridge Cemetery in La Crosse County are likely erroneous. Hopefully a death record will be located to give us a better understanding.

Wolfgang Ernst passed away on the first of June 1885. He was buried in the Saint Joseph Ridge Catholic Cemetery in Greenfield Twp LaC-Cty.

There is much information on Ernst and Christina available from their descendants -- Gary Hess, Jennifer Lamers, Steve Mohr, Karen McKenna and others. With their collaboration we can tell the story.

Gravestone of Wolfgang Ernst Muenzenberger (*1802)
Click to enlarge		 Does anyone know whose house this is? And who is in the Foto?
Click to enlarge




Descendants of Wolfgang Münzenberger

To go directly to a specific child, click on their Link below:
11.1 Adam (*1830) 11.7 Christian (*1839)
11.2 Ernst Jr. (*1831) 11.8 Margaretha (*1841)
11.3 Catharina Dorothea "Dora" (*1832) 11.9 Philip (*1842)
11.4 Philippina "Bina" (*1834) 11.10 Dieter (*1844)
11.5 Anton (*1836) 11.11 Johann Baptist (*1845)        
11.6 Christina (*1837)  


Children: (11)
11.1.....Johann "Adam" Muenzenberger (*28.01.1830 Undenheim, +03.12.1863 Richmond VA)
Adam, the oldest of the Münzenberger children, was seventeen years old at the time of their emigration. He was naturalized in 1855.

Adam and Barbara Mary Wuest (*abt 1834 Hessen Darmstadt, +19.05.1915 Milwaukee WI) were married 23 May 1854 in Milwaukee. Barbara was the daughter of Nicolaus and Anna Maria Wuest. The Wuest (or in German Wüst) family was enumerated in the 1850 Census. They were neighbors of the Muenzenbergers and both family members of the St. Barnabas Church. Barbara was sixteen years old at the time of the Census. From the Census we can see that the Wuest family also emigrated in about 1847. Their 3 year old son Anton had been born in Germany. Their one year old daughter Barbara was born in Wisconsin. There probably is an error in the Census, otherwise they would have had two daughters living both with the given name of Barbara. Another Wuest record appears to be that of Barbara's brother Adam (*1845) who appears with his wife Catherine in the 1880 Census living in South Dakota.

Adam was a shoemaker by trade. In 1855 they were enumerated in the Wisconsin State Census, which reported minimal information. Their first child, a son, is counted.

In the Federal Census of 1860 their family has grown. They now have three children, the oldest being Ernst at age 5, and are living in Milwaukee. Their home is valued at $500. They also declared personal property in the amount of $100.

Adam Muenzenberger
Enlistment in the 26th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment, ca 1862
 Barbara Wuest Muenzenberger
ca 1865		 Mary M Cordes (1852), Marie A Lamers (1899), Clara C Lamers (1875) and Barbara Wuest Muenzenberger (1834) Family, ca 1899
The following year war broke out in April 1861 when secessionist forces in South Carolina attacked Fort Sumter shortly after Abraham Lincoln had been inaugurated as the President of the United States. On 15 August 1862 Adam enlisted in the 26th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment of the United States Army.

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The story of Adam in the War can be written by one of the Muenzenberger team.

Here are the documents to weave into the story:

obituary
Steve needs to provide the obituary.

casualty sheet 1863
A higher resolution image is needed here!

libby prison foto

prisoner of war

Old Blessed Sacrament Church Painting

Their address (23 SW., then 15 SE until 1871), and a co-Founder of Saint Barnabas Catholic Church in Greenfield, Mil-Cty

The marriage of Barbara to Joseph Cordes in ????. Documentation?

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Plus the Foto of Barbara with her siblings and offspring needs to be put into the story. JDS will do this.

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Children: (4)
4.1.....Ernst Muenzenberger (*1855 Greenfield, Mil-Cty, +14.06.1863 Greenfield, Mil-Cty)
Ernst died at age eight and was buried in the Old Blessed Sacrament Church Cemetery in the Lot of Nichoilas Wüst, his grandfather. Ernst's younger Henry had been buried in the Lot four months earlier.

4.2.....Mary Ann Muenzenberger (*1856 Greenfield, Mil-Cty WI, +21.04.1932 Milwaukee WI)
Mary married two times. Her first husband was Alfred Alphonsus Cordes (*26.01.1852 Milwaukee County WI, +23.05.1877 Milwaukee WI), the son of Joseph and Appolonia Cordes. Their wedding was on 5 November 1874 in Milwaukee, conducted by the Reverend S. Conrad. Alfred's occupation was a grocer. Alfred passed away 2 1/2 years after they were married. They had one child.

An interesting story about the Cordes family. As mentioned Alfred was the son of Joseph. Joseph, a widower at the time, married Barbara Wuest Muenzenberger, Mary's mother. Father and son married mother and daughter.

Following the early death of Alfred, Mary was wed to Matthias Pelt (*1855 Luxemburg, +after 1932), a cigar maker by trade. Matthias was the son of Peter and Catharina Pelt. The wedding was on 27 December 1881.

Mary Muenzenberger (*1856) circa 1872
Click to enlarge		 Mary Muenzenberger (*1856) circa 1899
Click to enlarge		 Alfred Cordes (*1852) circa 1874
Click to enlarge		 Matthias Pelt (*1855) circa 1899
Click to enlarge		 Mary Muenzenberger Pelt (*1856) circa 1880
Click to enlarge


Also in 1930 Mathias and Mary Pelt are neighbors in Milwaukee of Nicholas Muentzenberger (*1884) and his family who live at 467 Fourth Avenue as well as Adam Muenzenberger (*1894) and his family living at 465 Fourth Avenue. The Pelts live around the corner at 514 Madison Street. Where Nicholas and Adam fit into the tree is not known at this moment.

Mary was buried in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Milwaukee in 1930.

Children: (4)
From the marriage with Alfred Cordes:
4.1.....Clara Marie Cordes (*12.08.1875 Milwaukee WI, +10.12.1958 Milwaukee WI)
Clara Cordes (*1875), ca 1879
Click to enlarge		 Clara Cordes Lamers (*1875)
and Marie Ann Lamers (*1899), ca 1902

Click to enlarge
Clara Marie Cordes married John Peter Martin Lamers (*abt 1870 Milwaukee WI, +27.10.1941 Milwaukee WI). The wedding was 15 June 1897 in Milwaukee.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Marie Ann Lamers (*16.01.1899 Milwaukee WI, +28.03.1989 Milwaukee WI)


2.2.....William Mathias Lamers (*23.12.1900 Milwaukee WI, +???? Waukesha WI)
William Mathias and Mary McGuire (*29.07.1908, +20.10,1992 Milwaukee WI) married. In 1942, soon after the entry of the United States in to the Second World War, they lived at 7832 Warren Avenue in Wawwatosa, Milwaukee County WI.

The story of William Mathias (*1900) can be written by one of the Muenzenberger team.

William and Marie, circa 1901
Click to enlarge		 Marquette Graduation
Click to enlarge		 William and Mary Marriage
Click to enlarge		 Retirement Foto
Click to enlarge
Children: (5)
5.1.....Mary Agnes Lamers (*17.09.1930 Milwaukee WI, +04.03.1966 Rolling Hills CA)
Mary and Gilbert John Mohr (*04.05.1931 Milwaukee WI, +30.10.2004 San Francisco CA) were wed on 14 June 1952 in Milwaukee WI.

Children: (6)
6.1.....William Peter Mohr (*04.06.1953 San Diego CA)
William and Robyn Hope Kramer (*11.01.1947) were married on 10 January 1982 in Tilden Park, Berkeley CA.

6.2.....Pamela Claire Mohr (*30.08.1954 Milwaukee WI)
Pamela and Daniel McKenna (*19.11.1951 Long Beach CA) married on 6 May 1978 in the Mount Hamilton Observatory, San Jose CA.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Susan Claire McKenna (*11.11.1979 Culver City CA)
Susan married Jeremy Stadtmueller (*10.08.1974)

Children: (2)
2.1.....William Oscar Stadtmueller (*30.10.2009 Port Washington WI)
2.2.....Joseph Nainoa Stadtmueller (*12.10.2012 Whitefish Bay, Milwaukee WI)


2.2.....Karen Naelani McKenna (*18.05.1985 Kahuku HI)


Children: (1)
1.1.....Eva McKenna Vogt (*05.06.2013 Mount Pleasant, Racine WI)


6.3.....Mary Elizabeth Mohr (*02.11.1955 La Mesa CA)
Mary and Bruce Crawford (*04.10.1954 Oakland CA) were married on the 7th of August 1977 in Saratoga CA.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Diane Elizabeth Crawford (*04.05.1982 San Francisco CA)


Children: (2)
2.1.....Drake Isiah Ingram (*14.08.2015)
2.1.....Dean Ingram


2.2.....Evan Douglas Crawford (*26.03.1985 Santa Clara CA)
Evan and Helen Anderson wed.

6.4.....Michael Gilbert Mohr (*17.04.1957 Long Beach CA)
Winifred L. Rice (*29.03.1957 San Jose CA) and Michael were married on 24 June 1978 in Portola Valley CA.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Erin Aileen Mohr (*07.02.1981 San Jose CA)
Erin and Seth Mazow have two children.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Nora Jo Mazow (*09.08.2015
2.2.....Naomi Grace Mazow (*28.04.2020)

3.2.....Michael Ryan Mohr (*25.03.1983 Santa Clara CA)
Michael married Heather Lee Payne (*24.01.1984 Solano CA).

Children: (3)
3.1.....Harper Lee Mohr (*13.01.2011 Honolulu HI)


3.2.....Hanalei Nanea Mohr (*21.03.2013)


3.3.....Mailee Mohr


3.3.....Jeffrey Colin Mohr (*13.04.1986 San Jose CA)
Jeff and Kelly Green have one son together.

Children: (1)
1.1.....Avery James Mohr


6.5.....Patricia Dorothy Mohr (*06.08.1958 Long Beach CA)
Patricia and David Jacobson (*22.10.1958) married. The wedding was 26 November 1981 in Saratoga CA.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Jeffrey Isaac Jacobson (*27.08.1992 Ann Arbor MI)

2.2.....Aaron Simon Jacobson (*07.02.1995 Ann Arbor MI)


6.6.....Stephen J. Mohr (*12.12.1959 Long Beach CA)
Steve and Karen Lynne O'Neil (*25,08.1961 Indianapolis IN) were married in Camarillo CA on 19 July 1986.

Children: (1)
1.1.....Mariah Hannah Mohr (*08.03.1996 Walnut Creek CA)


5.2.....William Matthias Lamers Jr. (*24.12.1931 Milwaukee WI, +02.02.2012 Malibu CA)
William Lamers Jr (1931)
Click to enlarge
William and Clara Marie Jones (*11.04.1935 Washington DC) were married on 7 June 1958 in Wilmette IL. William and Clara had three children. In a second marriage William and Elizabeth Pyle DuBois (*18.03.1939 Bryn Mawr PA) were wed.

CLICK HERE to read the story of the life of William Lamers Jr (*1931) as told by his niece Pamela Mohr McKenna.

Also the obituary in the Los Angeles Times adds additional color to the life of Dr. Lamers.

Children: (3)
3.1.....William Matthias Lamers III (*18.08.1959 Cincinatti OH)
William and China Krehwisch (*22.06.1963 Greenbrae CA) married on 17 October 1987 in San Rafael CA.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Matthias Hunter Lamers (*26.11.1989 Greenbrae CA)


2.2.....Ian Michael Joseph Lamers (*23.03.1993 Napa CA)


3.2.....Mark Laurence Lamers (*27.01.1961 Cincinatti OH)
Mark and Laura Catherine Delgado (*03.10.1962 Los Angeles CA) married on 16 September 1995 in Malibu CA.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Alexander Edward Lamers (*10.09.2001 Calabasas CA)


2.2.....Thea Catherine Lamers (*21.05.2003 Calabasas CA)


3.3.....Jennifer M. Lamers (*15.02.1962 Cincinatti OH)
Jennifer and Magnus Julle Le'Vicki (*02.08.1941 Rostock, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany have been partners for ten years.

5.3.....John Lamers (*31.03.1933 Milwaukee WI, +24.12.2019 Fort Worth TX)
On 9 January 1954 in Wauwatosa WI John and Sallie Young (*20.07.1935 Milwaukee WI) were married.

Children: (6)
6.1.....John Peter Lamers III (*1954)


6.2.....James Patrick Lamers (*18.05.1955 Milwaukee WI)
James Patrick married Aundrea Cunningham. After their divorce James married Gayle Hunnicut (*14.06.1955 Fort Worth TX) on 14 February 1998 in Fort Worth TX.

Children: (4)
4.1.....Jason Patrick Lamers (*28.04.1976 Fort Worth TX)
Jason and Kelli Parker (*22.04.1977 Fort Worth TX) married.

Children: (1)
1.1.....Chloe Lamers (*13.06.2004 Fort Worth TX)

4.2.....April Lamers (*01.04.1978 Fort Worth TX)
Kevin Lintz and April were married on 23 June 2001 in Fort Worth TX.

4.3.....Brandon Lamers (*11.12.1981 Fort Worth TX)


4.4.....Nathan Lamers (*28.09.1984 Forth Worth TX)
Nathan married Sarah M. Boyd (*abt 1988) on 13 July 2004 in Tarrant County TX.

6.3.....Elizabeth Ann Lamers (*25.04.1957 Jacksonville FL)
Elizabeth married twice. With Randy Rogel she had a son John. Her other husband was Tim Scudder.

Children: (1)
1.1.....John Lamers Rogel (*03.08.1992)

6.4.....John Michael Lamers (*18.10.1958 Jacksonville FL)
On 9 April 1988 John and Kerri Rosenthal were married in New Orleans LA.

6.5.....Leslie C. Lamers (*12.12.1959 Monterey CA)
Leslie's first husband was Carlton Batten. They had a son together. She then had a daughter with Jeff Dombro, whom she married on 10 August 1997 in Los Angeles.

Children: (2)
With Carlton Batten:
2.1.....Jesse Ranen Batten (*31.12.1993 Los Angeles CA)

With Jeff Dombro:
2.2.....Clare Dombro (*27.04.2000 Los Angeles CA)

6.6.....Susanna L. Lamers (*20.07.1963 Norfolk VA)
Susanna and Gary LaFleur Jr. were married on Leap Year, 29 February 1992 in St. Augustine FL.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Hannah LaFleur (*01.05.1995 St. Augustine FL)

2.2.....Tessa LaFleur (*09.09.1997 Pawtucket RI)

5.4.....Barbara Clare Lamers (*17.09.1934 Milwaukee WI, +21.09.1934 Milwaukee WI)
5.5.....Edward Martin Lamers (*07.12.1935 Milwaukee WI)
Edward and Judith Ann Hart (*28.06.1937 La Salle IL) were married the day after Christmas, 1959 in Menominee Falls WI.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Susan Elizabeth Lamers (*28.10.1960 Bad Cannstatt (Stuttgart), Germany)
Susan and Brian Tomlinson (*28.07.1955 Riverside CA) married on 8 April 1989 in Riverside CA.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Chalmer Edward Tomlinson (*29.08.1989 Riverside CA)
3.2.....Bradley Charles Tomlinson (*11.01.1991 Riverside CA)
3.3.....Leslie Ann Tomlinson (*28.06.1999 Riverside CA)


2.2.....Christopher Michael Lamers (*01.09.1962 Bad Cannstatt (Stuttgart), Germany)
Christopher married Rita Sue Culpepper (*28.05.1962 Mobile AL) on 26 November 1988 in Callaway Gardens, Georgia.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Matthew Lamers (*29.08.1992 Savannah GA)
3.2.....Jake Bradley Lamers (*12.08.1994 Savannah GA)
3.3.....Joseph Edward Lamers (*03.01.1996 Savannah GA)

From the marriage with Matthias Pelt:
4.2.....Cassilda Pelt (*01.12.1882 Milwuakee WI, +26.06.1963 Milwaukee WI)
In the 1930 Census Cassilda is single, age 47, and living with her mother and step-father in Milwaukee.

4.3.....Peter M. Pelt (*29.04.1886 Milwaukee WI, +02.01.1960 Wauw... WI)
Peter and Cora V. (*26.09.1886) married.

The Pelt descendants apparently are not known by the rest of the Münzenberger family.

Children: (6)
6.1.....James A. Pelt (*abt 1919 WI)
6.2.....Dorothy M. Pelt (*abt 1920 WI)
6.3.....Raymond J. Pelt (*abt 1922 WI)
6.4.....Marie A. Pelt (*abt 1924 IL)
6.5.....Lucille T. Pelt (*abt 1925 IL)
6.6.....Katherine A Pelt (*abt 1930 IL)

4.4.....Leona Pelt (*21.01.1888 Wisconsin, +04.06.1871 Milwaukee WI )
Leona and Francis Patrick Kelley (*10.01.1890 Delavan WI, +1948 Milwaukee WI) married. In 1930, however, she is enumerated in the Census as 41 years old, single and living with her mother and step-father in Milwaukee.

4.3.....Henry Muenzenberger (*1858 Greenfield WI, +15.02.1863 Greenfield, Mil-Cty)
Henry died at age five and was buried in the Old Blessed Sacrament Church Cemetery in the Lot of Nichoilas Wüst, his grandfather. Henry's older brother Ernst was buried in the Lot four months later.

4.4.....Adam Muenzenberger Jr (*1861)
At this time we know little about Adam (*1861). We do have a marriage record for him from 1879 when he and Louise Barbara Walke (*) were married. Louise was the daughter of Christopher and Dorothea Walke. The ceremony took place in Milwaukee on 7 January.

11.2.....Wolfgang Ernest Muenzenberger Jr (*04.10.1831 Undenheim, +30.09.1917 La Crosse WI)
"Ernst" is enumerated in the 1850 U.S. Census. His story is being researched. The facts will be very rough as they are being found. The story will be written when the data is largely collected.

Ernst and Elizabetha Margaretha Clements (*, +before 1900) married. They had at least ten children. The 1900 Census form captured how many children a woman had had and how many were still living in 1900. Unfortunately Margaretta was deceased by 1900 so the confirming information is not available from that source.

In the 1900 Census Ernst is shown as a widower. He was 66 years old with no occupation shown. Perhaps he had retired. He passed away in 1917 in the home of his daughter Lena. His obituary indicates where his surviving children were living at the time.


The story of Wolfgang Ernest Muenzenberger (*1831) is particularly challenging. On the various genealogy websites
(Ancestry, FamilySearch, etc) there are many records presumably for this branch. However they are family trees and other
objects created by people in the past thirty years. I have not found where they have historical documentation
to demonstrate their credibility. In the information below everything ties together nicely.

There is, however, an 1880 Census record for a Wolfgang Ernst (*1831) which is not understood. One can view it in the
LiveLinks section at the bottom of this page. If we are able to get a copy of the Clements family book by Helen Brieske,
we might be able to have confidence in the story.











Children: (10) Not all yet sequenced by birth year
10.1.....Margaret Muenzenberger (*22.02.1861 WI, +28.11.1932 Sand Lake Coulee WI)
Margaret and Frank P. Bahr (*27.08.1856, +23.01.1936 Sand Lake Coulee) were married 15 June 1880 in La Crosse County. But part of the interest is that it was a double ceremony. Margaret's cousin 11.3 Margaret Clements (also *1861) married Gabriel Bahr (*1855), the brother of Frank. The two Margarets were born the same day (22.02.1861) as well!!

Children: (4)
4.1.....Mrs. William Pierce of Onslashka


4.2.....Mrs Charles Pierce of Analashka


4.3.....Frank P. "Ernest" Bahr Jr. (*23.10.1882, +21.07.1931)


4.4.....Margaret Bahr


10.2.....Mary Muenzenberger (*1863, +1941))
Mary and Mathew Wiltinger (*1869, +1918) were married.

10.3.....Louisa Muenzenberger (*1868, +1949)
Bernhard Birnbaum (*1864, +1937) married.

10.4.....Peter Muenzenberger (*21.04.1872 Greenfield LaC-Cty WI, +03.07.1959 Greenfield LaC-Cty)
The connection of Peter to be a son of "Johann Ernst and Elizabeth Clements" is from a tree on Ancestry". Need an original document to confirm.

Peter married Wilhelmina Marie "Minnie" Ikert (*01.1873). They first appear in the 1900 Census, living in LaCrosse City. They have two young daughters, Anna and Theresa. Also in the home is Frank Wuensch, a boarder relative. Peter is a carpenter by trade, as can be seen from the original Census page.

By 1905 they have added two more children, Theresa and George M. In 1940 Peter and Wilhemina are living in their home at 2636 South Avenue in La Crosse. Peter had worked 50 weeks in 1939, near the end of the Depression.

Children: (?)
?.1.....Anna Muenzenberger (*03.09.1895 La Crosse)

?.2.....Sabina Muenzenberger (*1898)

?.3.....Theresa Muenzenberger (*1901)

?.4.....George M Muenzenberger (*23.04.1904 LaC-Cty)
There is a birth record of a George M, son of Peter. George does appear in the 1905 Census.

10.5.....Lena Muenzenberger (*07.1874 Town of Greenfield WI, +)
Lena married Wenzel Frank Newburg (*02.1871, + 20.06.1959 WI), the son of Peter and Maria Bruha Newburg. The wedding was on 10 April 1894. Their first child was born four months later.

In 1900 Lena and Wenzel were farming. The Census indicates they were renting (or rather did not own) the farm. It is possible the farm was owned by Lena's father Ernst. One might research this by trying to match the neighbors in the 1880 Census to the 1900 Census. Living with Lena and Wenzel were Lena's father, two of her brothers and one sister, Ida.

Five years later in the Wisconsin State Census, three of the Muenzenbergers were still living with the Newburgs. Although Lena's sister Ida was not. She probably had married.

In 1910 Wenzel is shown to own the farm, which has a mortgage. But need to confirm it is the same property.



Children: (4)
4.1.....Joseph John Newburg (*07.08.1894 La Crosse WI, +12.12.1972 La Crosse WI)
In the 1917-1918 military draft registration card for John J. Newburg he indicates his date of birth. Joseph is living in the town of Bangor WI, about 10 miles ENE of La Crosse. He is working on his father's farm which is reported to be in (near) the town of Washington WI.

Children: (yy)
yy.1..... (* La Crosse WI, + La Crosse WI)


4.2.....Wenzel Newburg (*19.02.1900 Washington, LaC-Cty WI, +09.09.1903 St. Joseph Ridge)
4.3.....Elmer Newburg (*1905)


4.4.....Ernest Newburg (*1910)


10.6.....Ida Muenzenberger (*08.1883)

10.7.....Joseph Muenzenberger (*04.1889)
In the 1905 Wisconsin Census the word "idiotic" is written in the occupation column. At this time there is no idea what this meant.

10.8.....Math (?) Muenzenberger (*01.1892)
It is not yet clear what the given name is for child #4. Most likely it was Mathew. In the various Census it is sometimes Math and others Matt.

Children: (5)
5.1.....Ernest Muenzenberger (*1916 La Crosse WI, + La Crosse WI)


5.2.....Clarence Muenzenberger (*1924 La Crosse WI, + La Crosse WI)


5.3.....Harold Muenzenberger (*1925 La Crosse WI, + La Crosse WI)


5.4.....Gladys Muenzenberger (*1929 La Crosse WI, + La Crosse WI)


5.5.....Elmer Muenzenberger (*1932 La Crosse WI, + La Crosse WI)


10.?.....Mrs. F Smilka
From the obit of 11.2 Ernst (*1831)

10.?.....Mrs. J Schmidt
From the obit of 11.2 Ernst (*1831)

10.?.....Mrs. J. Young
From the obit of 11.2 Ernst (*1831)

11.3.....Catharina Dorothea "Dora" Muenzenberger (*13.11.1832 Undenheim, +31.05.1905 Dubuque IA)
Dora and Ludwig Louis "Louie" C. Doerfler (*08.09.1836 Bavaria, +22.09.1906 Dubuque IA) married. It was initially from the annotated photograph of the family, held by some of the Clements family in La Crosse, that we learned of Louis's given name and that they had at least four children. It was only then that we could locate them in Iowa.

Louis was the son of Christian and Christine Doerfler. The family emigrated from Germany in late 1839, apparently arriving in the Baltimore port on 31 December 1839. They are listed in an abstract of arrivals from the first of October to 31 December 1839. Their "registration" cards are then dated 1 January 1840. Louie was three years old, his sister Johanna C. was two. Louie's father Christian was a leather tanner by trade, a profession which Louie followed.

No record of the marriage of Catherine and Louis has been found. In the 1900 Census it shows they had been married forty years, i.e. married in 1860. Their first child Emma was born in 1859. A family tree on FamilySearch says 1858. Perhaps this is more likely.

The story of Dora and Louis is somewhat surprising and tragic at the same time. Unlike most of Dora's siblings (and for that matter most family groups who emigrated), Dora and Louis produced perhaps no living (today) descendants. Dora and Louis had six children. Their line appears to have died out. In contrast Dora's siblings produced perhaps as many as 1000 descendants, the majority of whom are alive today.

In the 1860 Census Louis and Dora have a daughter Emma. They are living in Dubuque, Iowa (IA). Also living with the family is Barbara Rooth, age 15 and probably from Wurtemberg, Germany. Louis is enumberated as a farmer from Bavaria.

By 1870 they have five children. The second oldest is enumerated as "Louisa", a 9 year old daughter. In the following Census, this child is shown to be a son Louis Jr. In 1874 they then have a daughter Louisa. Louis Sr. is a "Buck Skin Dresser" or a leather tanner. They own their home with a value of $1500.

Wedged between 1870 and 1880, Louis Sr. is registered as a member of the militia of Dubuque City. He was 35 years old. It is now known for what purposes the militia existed at the time.

"Dora" Muenzenberger Doerfler
Click to enlarge		 Back from L: Emma, Louie, Theodor, Dora
Front: Louise Jr, William
circa 1868
Click to enlarge


In the 1880 Census they had their full complement of six children. Louis Sr. continued to be a tanner through the end of his career. Louis Jr., age 19 in 1880, was the only other member working outside the house. Jr. was a "store clerk". The 1880 Census was the first to show addresses and whether they owned their home. The Doerflers were living at 2840 Couler Avenue in Dubuque, a home which they owned free of a mortgage.

The 1890 U.S. Census was almost entirely lost in a major fire in Washington D.C. Normally little attention is paid to the state census taken between the federal census. The state census is taken on the years ending in a "5".The 1885 Census gives us a snapshot prior to the Census of 1900.

The 1900 Census shows the number of children borne by the mother and how many were living in 1900. Dora bore ten children in total, six of whom were still living in 1900. Since none of the other four appear in any Census, they must all have died at childbirth or at a young age. The 1900 Census was also the last Census taken before the deaths of Dora and Louie. Four of their six living children were all single and living at home, ages 41, 33, 31, and 26.

Dora passed away on 31 May 1905. Her obituary in the Dubuque Telegraph Herald on 1 June 1905 reads "Her kind and generous disposition won for her a large number of friends, and by her death a good woman and mother is lost." She was interred in the Linwood Cemetery in Dubuque.

Louis followed Dora in passing away sixteen months later and too was buried in the Linwood Cemetery.

Children: (6)
6.1.....Emma Doerfler (*12.04.1859 Wisconsin, +28.10.1942 Dubuque IA)
Emma was enumerated in the 1860 Census as having been born in Iowa, whereas in 1870 and all later Census it was Wisconsin. Wisconsin is almost certainly correct.

From the death certificate of Emma we know that Emma never married. Sometime, probably soon after the death of their parents, Emma and two of her siblings (William and Louisa) decided to "downsize". They sold the home on Couler Avenue and purchased another at 2740 Central in Dubuque. Then following the death of their brother Louis's wife Anna, he too moved in with the siblings. We see this in the 1930 and 1940 Census.

Emma passed away at the age of 83 after seven days in the Finley Hospital. The doctor entered the cause of death as acute nephritis, due to a cold. She also suffered from arterioschlerosis.

The information for the death certificate was provided by Gussie Scherrer, probably a friend. She indicated Emma had been born in Germany which was clearly in error.

6.2.....Louis Charles Doerfler Jr (*15.12.1860 Dubuque IA, +28.11.1941 Dubuque IA)
Louis C. Doerfler (*1860)
On 10.11.1886 Louis Jr. and Anna Frohm (*23.12.1862 IA, +08.04.1917 Dubuque IA) married. Anna was the daughter of August and Anna Walters Frohm. August was an immigrant from Germany, Anna from Holland.

The 1895 Census, which was a state and not a federal census, has an interesting data column -- "Religious Belief". Anna was enumerated as a Catholic as were their two children. No Belief was entered for Louis, obvious by its omission. But then later in 1915 his church affiliation was entered to be Congregational.

They lived at 2903 Jackson Street in the township of Julien in 1905. They declared their home worth $3000 with "encumbrances" of $500. Louis was a "collector", presumably of debts and not art.

Five years later they have been married for 24 years. Helen has borne four children, one of whom (Louis T. at age 18) is still alive. Louis, the father, is a wholesale merchant dealing with coal and wood. Their home, which they owned, was free of a mortgate.

Louis's earnings for 1914, as recorded in the 1915 Census, were $1000. He had completed eight years of grammar school.

Anna passed away in 1917 at the age of 54 and was buried in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Dubuque, at least the third member of their family to be interred there following first their daughter and then their son.

With Anna's passing Louis's entire family was gone -- all four children and then his wife. Louis sold their home and moved in with three of his siblings -- Emma, William and Louise at 2740 Central Avenue, a home apparently owned by Emma. Louis was 57 years old. He also is enumerated in the 1940 Census with Emma and Louise. William had passed away four years earlier.

Louis died 24 years later and was also buried in Mt. Calvary. Louis was 80 years old at the time of his death.

Children: (4)
4.1.....Louis T. Doerfler (*21.08.1891, +04.05.1911 Dubuque IA)
Louis T. was a bookkeeper and single. He died at age 19 and was buried in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery with his sister who preceded him by two years in death.

4.2..... Clarence Louis Doerfler (* 21.08.1891 Iowa, +before 1910)
Clarence and his brother Louis T. were apparently twins. The death record for Louis gives his birth date as 21.08.1892. But Clarence and Louis were both born on 21 August. Most likely they were twins and we just are not sure of the year. Clarence does not appear in the 1910 Census.

4.3.....Edna Doerfler (*02.07.1893 Iowa, + 21.06.1909 Julien Township, Dubuque IA)
Edna died of tuberculosis. She was 15 years old! She was laid to rest in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery, and was followed in very few years by her family.

4.4.....Lucille Doerfler (*11.03.1897, + 02.09.1897)


6.3.....Theodore Edgar Doerfler (*01.1867 IA, + 15.02.1912 Wesley, Sioux IA))
Theodore was married 14 June 1893 to Mary Migionette "Nettie" Grannis (*19.07.1873 Fayette IA, +19.12.1957 Orange CA) in Dubuque. Mary was the daughter of Samuel D. and Sarah E. High Grannis.

In 1895 Theodore and Nettie were living next to her parents, S.D and Sarah Grannis. It is unclear from the Census whether they were living together, or if they were neighbors. Five years later S.D. had passed away. Sarah is now living with Theodore and Nettie, as is their son Theodore. The Census also gives us other information -- Theodore was born in January 1867, not in 1866; they were living in Julien Township in Dubuque County; Nettie had borne two children, only one of whom was still living (Theo); Nettie's mother Sarah, age 56, had borne five children, only one of whom was still living (Sarah); and Theodore appears to have been a cashier by trade, as he had been in 1895

In the 1910 Census he is clearly a cashier in a bank. They owned their home free of a mortgage. Nettie's mother Sarah, who would have been 66, no longer is living with them.

Theodore passed away in 1912 at the age of 46. He was buried in the Linwood Cemetery in Dubuque, gravesite 2D.

Following the early death of Theodore, Nettie remarried. Her second husband was Frank W. Fisher of Charles City IA. They appear in the 1920 and 1930 Census data with her two daughters Louise and Dorothy.

Nettie's death record (age 83) gives Orange, California as the location. Presumably she and Fisher had moved to California to be near her daughter Dorothy in their last years.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Theodore E. "Theo" Doerfler (*14.03.1897 Dubuque IA, +01.11.1942 Dubuque IA)
Theodore Jr. registered for the U.S. military draft on 5 June 1918. He was a student at Highland Park College in Des Moines. He gave Mrs. F.W.Fisher at 707 N. Iowa Street in Charles City, Iowa as his mother and closest relative.

Theo married Helen E. Lewis (*02.06.1896 Chicago IL, +01.09.1941 Berwyn, Cook IL). The ceremony was on 31 May 1930 in Cook County IL, probably in Berwyn. Helen was the daughter of Fredrick and Anna Palmer Lewis.

Helen bore their first child the following year. They lived in Berwyn at 3137 S. Oak Park Avenue.

From the 1940 Census we know they had no other children, or at least none were living at the time of the Census. And that Theo had completed two years of college, was a "practical engineer at a telephone manufacturer (Western Electric), had worked 52 weeks in 1939 and earned $2500. It appears that Helen worked for a patent law firm, although the writing is unclear. Finally they were living (renting) in Westmont, DuPage County IL.

Helen passed away in 1941. They had been married for eleven years. She was buried in Section H of the Clarendon Hills Cemetery in Darien, DuPage County IL.

Theo died the following year at the age of 45 from a blood clot in the heart. He was visiting his family in Dubuque at the time of his death. The "informant" for his death certificate was his mother, Mrs. Nettie M. Fisher. Theo was buried in the Linwood Cemetery with his parents and siblings.

Children: (1)
1.1.....Theodore Edgar Doerfler (*08.01.1931 Chicago IL, +09.01.1931 Chicago IL)

3.2.....Louise Elizabeth Doerfler (* 02.03.1903 Kossuth Cty IA, +1946 Charles City, Floyd Cty IA)
Apparently Louise did not marry. She passed away at age 42 and was buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Charles City, Floyd County IA.

3.3.....Dorothy Marie Doerfler (*03.07.1910 Wesley, Kosuth County IA, + 08.09.1991 Orange CA)
Up through 1930 Dorothy lived with her mother Mary and step-father Frank W. Fisher as seen in the 1920 and 1930 Census data.

During the 1930's Dorothy and George O. Barrette (*1910 Canada) were married. Per the 1940 Census. George was a Canadian and draftsman in an airplane factory. He had worked every week of 1939 and earned $2200. Dorothy is shown to have completed college (four years). Dorothy was not working at the time. They rented their home in Whittier, Los Angeles County CA.

In 1940 Mary Migionette (Doerfler) Fisher (*1873) filed the belated birth certificate for her daughter Dorothy Marie Doerfler (*1910).

It is not yet known, if Dorothy and George had children.

6.4.....William C. Doerfler (*25.05.1867 Dubuque IA), +19.07.1936 Dubuque IA)
William did not marry and died at the age of 69 years of heart disease. He too was living at 2740 Central Avenue in Dubuque. He was a woodworker by trade. He was buried in the Linwood Cemetery.

6.5.....Frank A. Doerfler (*13.03.1869 Dubuque IA, +27.12.1903 Dubuque IA)
Frank passed away at the age of 33 years in 1903. He was interned in gravesite 2D in the Linwood Cemetery. We have no record of him having married.

6.6.....Louisa Doerfler (*8.03.1873 Dubuque IA, +14.11.1941 Dubuque IA)
Like her sister Emma, Louisa did not marry nor did she work. She too was living at 2740 Central Avenue at the time of her death. She died suddenly from a heart attack at the age of 68 and was buried at Linwood Cemetery in Dubuque. She preceded Emma in death by a year.


11.4.....Philippina "Bina" Muenzenberger (*16.05.1834 Undenheim, +19.06.1922 Greenfield, Mil-Cty WI)
"Bina" Muenzenberger Stiefvater
Click to enlarge		 Wedding Picture of Herman and Bina, 1861
Click to enlarge
The story of Bina is brief. She married but bore no children. She and her husband both lived full lives.

The birth date for Bina is somewhat uncertain. Per the cemetery record she was born 16 May 1834. Yet she was christened in the Catholic Church in Undenheim on 6 June 1834. While the christening is almost always some number of days after the birth, three weeks is unusual. But in this case perhaps correct. So too is the spelling of her given name. In her christening it was "Philippina", yet at the cemetery "Phillipina". Other records repeat this problem and offer even more variations. Perhaps that is why she was just called "Bina".

Bina and Conrad Hermann Stiefvater (*07.12.1830 Kirchhofen, Baden, Germany, +11.10.1911 Greenfield, Mil-Cty) married. The ceremony was in the Old Blessed Sacrament Church in Greenfield, Mil-Cty on 15 May 1861. Herman was the son of Sebastian and Wallburga Killmann Stiefvater.

While the birth record shows the given name as "Conrad Hermann", he went by Herman. This is important, as he also had a younger brother named Conrad. Prior to his marriage Herman lived with his parents as seen in the 1860 Census. Herman is enumerated on the first line of the next page. He was a wagon maker by profession.

Herman and Bina were married and buried in Milwaukee County, not migrating to La Crosse County to the west with most of Bina's siblings. From the Census records of 1880, 1900, and 1905 we can follow their lives. They continued living in Greenfield Mil-Cty. Herman continued making wagons until the 1900 Census when he was farming. They owned the farm free and clear of a mortgage. The 1900 Census also shows that Bina had never had children and that the Stiefvater family emigrated in 1854. And finally that Herman's younger brother Conrad was living with them in 1900 and 1905.

Herman passed away in 1911 at the age of eighty-one. Bina followed him eleven years later in 1922 at the age eighty-eight. Herman and Bina were buried in the Old Blessed Sacrament Church Cemetery in the same Lot with his parents.

11.5.....Anton Muenzenberger (*25.02.1836 Undenheim, +before 1847 Germany)
From the ship's passenger list of the emigrants we can see that Anton must have died prior to July 1847. He did not emigrate.

11.6.....Christina Muenzenberger (*09.05.1837 Undenheim, +29.03.1918 Greenfield Township WI)
Christina married Nicholas Clements Sr.(*08.08.1830 Alsace-Lorraine,France, +14.11.1875 St. Joseph Ridge LaC-Cty WI). Nicholas was the son of John and Margaretha Hoeppe Clements. The Clements family emigrated in 1847 aboard the ship "Louis", disembarking Europe from the port of Antwerp, Belgium. Nicholas was fourteen years old when they emigrated.

NOTE: Much of the information about Christina and Nicholas, their children and grandchildren (dates of births, marriages, deaths, etc.) in the story of 11.6 Christina comes from the book Luxembourg to La Crosse and Beyond by Sandy Hammes and Jean Ensch. We have done limited independent research. Where there is conflicted information, this is sometimes pointed out on this webpage. Click HERE to see the relevant Luxembourg... pages.

The Clements family first settled in Milwaukee County. But there is conflicting information about what happened next. The summary family history posted on find-a-grave.com says before November 1856 Nicholas Clements had identified land in Greenfield Township, LaC-Cty. He commenced to build a house, moved in with his wife and first born in November 1856, then bought the land upon which the house stood.

The October 30, 1857 testimony of Christian Muenzenberger states Nicolas had a wife and one child and on November 1, 1856, by cutting logs for the purpose of building house. He commenced building house immediately. Said house is one story high 12x14 ft one door, two windows with sash and glass and shingled roof. He moved into said house, with his family and house-furniture about the later part of November, 1856.[3]

The find-a-grave.com story is interesting. It gives more details of how the Clements over time bought more land and paid more taxes as their personal property increased. The story is told in three segments (one, two, and three).

The more exhaustive book "Luxembourg to La Crosse and Beyond says the Clements moved to St. Joseph Ridge in La Crosse County between 1860 and 1863. They bought property and farmed.

Christina Muenzenberger Clements
The Clements were enumerated in the 1870 Census. Also living in the home is Christina's father Wolfgang Ernst (*1802).

Nicholas died in an accident in 1875 at the age of 45:

"Last Wednesday Mr. Nicholas Clements from St. Joseph Ridge was in town with his wagon to get a new engine for his threshing machine. He fell from his wagon when driving home. The wheels, weighing about 3,000 pounds, rolled over his left side and caused serious injuries that led to his death on Sunday morning." [2]

In 1880 Christina was a widow with nine of her children and her father living on the farm. Their daughter Dora had married since the prior Census.

Christina and Nicholas had eleven children . Others have said they had twelve or even fourteen children. However, when one looks a the differences they appear to be duplicates, e.g. Louisa and Louis, Amy and Emil, and Fred and Frank. Eleven is also supported by the Census records from 1900 and 1910, both of which list the number of children borne by the mother.

Also living with the family was an apparently "adopted" daughter Bertha. In the various Census records (1900, 1905 and 1910) she is enumerated with the family names of Windt, Taylor, Clements and Munzenberger and birth years of 1882 and 1887. Quite confusing!

In her later years (1910) Christina lived on the farm operated by their son Peter (*1873).

Following her passing Christina was buried with Nicholas in the St. Joseph Ridge Catholic Church Cemetery.

Children: (11)
11.1.....Dorothea "Dora" Clements (*05.04.1857, +16.04.1919)
Dora married Frank Nicolaus "Fred" Gerke (*19.02.1851 Hannover, Germany, +22.06.1911 ) on 6 October 1874 in the St. Joseph Ridge Catholic Church, Greenfield, LaC-Cty. Fred was the son of Henry and Sophia Klinge Gerke.

Fred and Dora almost immediately bought a farm in the area. The 1880 Census enumerates them in Greenfield Township, LaC-Cty, just down the road from the Church where they were married. And a farm next to Dora's Uncle Philip Muenzenberger (*1842). This can be seen in the 1900 Census. The 1910 Census original page and transcription provide additional information.

Following the death of Dora in 1919 she was buried beside Fred in the St. Joseph Ridge Catholic Cemetery.

Children: (11)
11.1.....John Gerke (*27.12.1875, +17.09.1876)
11.2.....Louise Gerke (*22.04.1878)


11.3.....Christina Gerke (*04.06.1879 La Crosse Cty WI, +24.05.1960 La Crosse WI)
Fulgenz and Christina Gerke Kirschner
Click to enlarge
On 1 May 1900 Christina and Fulgenz Kirschner (*1867 Ladis Tirol, Austria, +28.10.1949 La Crosse WI) were married. Fulgenz was the son of Lorenz and Marianne Hann Kirschner.

The Kirschners had emigrated from Austria in 1884. Fulgenz was seventeen at the time and thirty-three when he married Christina. She was twenty-one.

In 1910 they were living in Washington Township, La Crosse County. Fulgenz was farming on property which they owned. Fulgenz's parents, ages eighty and seventy respectively, were living with them. Christina had borne five children, all of whom were living at the time.

Ten years later (1920) his parents were no longer living with them. But Fulgenz and Christina had three more children and had lost their son Valentine who died in his first year.

By 1930 three of their daughters had married and were no longer living with their parents. Alvin, twenty-seven and single, worked on the farm with his father. Cecilia, age fifteen, was still at home.

During the 1930s they retired from farming and moved into the city of La Crosse. They lived at 420 South 9th Street in 1940. Their daughter Sophie was still living with them.

Children: (6)
6.1.....Anna M. Kirschner (*25.01.1901 St. Joseph, LaC-Cty WI, +03.06.1985 La Crosse WI)
In 1921 Alfred John Klos (*03.02.1889 La Crosse WI, +21.05.1945 St. Joseph’s Ridge, LaC-Cty WI) and Anna were married. The ceremony was on 22 November. Alfred was the son of John and Catherine Schmidt Klos, immigrants from Luxembourg.

Alfred was a farmer by profession. Their property was in Washington Township, La Crosse County. The 1940 Census gives their address on Highway 33. The value of the property was listed as $1600. Their two oldest sons, Gregory and Harold, ages 17 and 15 respectively, were enumerated as working on the farm. In 1940 they had ten children, having lost their daughter Janice at one year of age. But they were not done. They had two more children in the 1940s.

Alfred’s brother Richard Klos also married into the Muenzenberger family. Richard married 11.10 Sophia Maria Gerke (*1889) – see below.

Anna and Alfred were buried together in the Saint Joseph Ridge Catholic Cemetery. But curiously Alfred has two headstones marking his grave. The second celebrates his service in World War I as a Private in the U.S. Army.

Children: (13)
13.1.....Gregory F. Klos (*13.05.1922, +07.12.2015)
Roberta and Greg Klos
Click to enlarge
In November 1942 Greg enlisted in the U.S. Army for the duration of World War II. He was twenty years old, single, and working on the farm, having cvompleted one year of high school. After the end of WWII, he then served in the Korean War in the 40th Combat Engineers.

Greg married Catherine Anna Novacek (*25.05.1927 La Crosse WI, +20.10.1990 Milwaukee County, WI), the daughter of Charles J. and Ida Schams Novacek.

At this time we are not aware of any children.

Following the death of Catherine in 1990, Greg remarried in 1993. His second wife was Roberta Jean Kraetz (*1935). The ceremony was in Milwaukee on 14 August 1993.

Greg was cremated, as had been Catherine, his first wife. Their ashes are together in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Milwaukee WI.

13.2.....Bernadine Klos (*12.08.1923, +09.09.2000 Westport, Dane Cty WI)
Bernadine and Donald Vernon Harbort (*12.01.1928 +10.06.2015) married. Don was the son of Christian and Edna Simonson Harbort.

Together they were owners of the Spanish Village and the Harbort's Sportsman Bar. Don also was co-owner with his brother Guy in Harbort Brothers Construction. He was a hunter, fisher, dancer and card (euchre) player.

Don Harbort
Click to enlarge		 Don and Bernadine Klos Harbort
Click to enlarge

Children: (1)
1.1.....Gayle Ann Harbort (*17.04.1955)
Gayle married Lewis Austin Olsen (*05.10.1932 Madison WI, +27.12.2004 Token Creek, Dane County WI). Lewis was the son of Lewis Oacar and Eylene Wong Olsen. The ceremony was on 30 May 1992 in Dane County.

Following his death Lewis was buried in the Lakeview Lutheran Cemetery in Madison.

Children: (4)
4.1.....Mark Olson
4.2.....Mike Olson
4.3.....Jason Harbort
4.4.....Justin Harbort

13.3.....Harold A. Klos (*11.03.1925, +04.02.1973)
Harold was fourteen years old when World War II began and sixteen when the United States entered the War. He served in the United States Navy. Upon the conclusion of the War Harold and Edith Clara "Tiny Karinna“ Dwyer (*31.05.1925 La Crosse WI, +08.12.1993 La Crosse WI) were married on 15 October 1945.

Four years following Harold's passing Tiny on 7 May 1977 married Salvatore Vittorio Anania.

Children: (1)
1.1.....Kevin Alfred Klos (*14.12.1952 La Crosse WI, +28.07.1972 Dalhart, Hartley TX)
Kevin died in a car accident at the age of nineteen. The accident was near Dalhart, Hartley County TX just before noon. He was a student at the time but perhaps in Texas on holiday. His home address was 4329 State Road, La Crosse.

13.4.....Adrianna „Ann“ Klos (*1926)
Kenneth D. „Ken“ Miller (*29.01.1924 La Crescent, Houston County MN, +05.09.2013 La Crosse WI) and Ann married on 24 April 1951. Ken was the son of Fred and Rosella Morrow Miller.

Other than her marriage we know little about Ann. Perhaps she or one of their children can fill in the blanks. Ken was buried in La Crosse City in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse. Much of what we know of their family comes from Ken's obituary.

Children: (5)
5.1.....Debra Miller
We are not aware of Debra having married.

5.2.....Diane Sue Miller (*1954)
Diane and Mark Allen Heinzel (*1952) married on 24 April 1982 in La Crosse.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Samuel Allen Heinzel (*10.11.1983 Hennepin County MN)
2.2.....Jamie Rose Heinzel (*27.10.1985 Hennepin County MN)


5.3.....Donna Rae Miller (*1957)
Donna married Steven James Knudson (*1956). The ceremony was on 20 April 1985 in La Crosse.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Andy Knutson
2.2.....Stephanie Knudson

5.4.....Denise Kay Miller (*1958)
On 13 October 1990 Denise and Jay Carl Burns (*1960) were married in La Crosse.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Jenny Burns
2.2.....Michael Burns

5.5.....Dixie Miller
Dixie married Ken Lightfield.

Children: (1)
1.1.....Brittney Lightfield

13.5.....Evelyn Sophie Klos (*24.04.1927 +30.11.2001)
Evelyn, the fifth of the Klos children, was born in 1927. She and James LeJeune (*15.01.1926, +22.09.1982) married. Jamee was the son of John and Mary Strasser LeJeune.

Evelyn passed away nineteen years after James. They are interred together in the Saint Charles Cemetery in Genoa, Vernon County, Wisconsin.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Ronald James Lejeune (*1950)
Ron and Virginia Ann Kastenschmidt (*1955) were married on the 10th of October 1981 in La Crosse where they resided.

3.2.....Linda Lejeune (*1953)
Linda married Fred J. Pedretti (*1949) in 1973 in Vernon County, Wisconsin, where they were living. The ceremony was on 28 April.

3.3.....Kim Lejeune
Kim married Rick Krause.

From an obituary available on FamilySearch.org (GenealogyBank Obituaries) there were nine grandchildren at the time of Evelyn's passing. But no family names so we do not know where to place them.

13.6.....Virginia Anna Klos (*08.06.1931 WI, +18.05.1990 Coon Valley WI)
The death record shows Virginia's birth year as 1932. Based upon when the 1940 was taken, however, it perhaps should be 1931.

Arlan Dwyer
Click to enlarge		 Arlan's Obituary
Click to enlarge
On 2 May 1950 in the St. Joseph Ridge Catholic Church Virginia and Arlan M.Dwyer (*28.10.1930 Greenfield, LaC-Cty WI, +29.12.2011 La Crosse WI) were married. Arlin's parents were Michael and Caroline Wuensch Dwyer.

From the obituary of Arlan we know some of their life stories. They farmed in Coon Valley, La Crosse County. In their fun time they enjoyed playing cards, dancing and heading north for vacations. Arlan also spent a lot of time in the Coon Valley ballpark, where his grandchildren were playing ball. Based upon the photograph, it looks like he also may have umpired some of the games.

They must have also loved to have and raise children. They had fifteen!

Virginia passed away in 1990 at the age of 58. She was buried in the North Ridge Cemetery which, interestingly, is apparently on Middle Ridge in La Crosse County.

Arlan died twenty-one years later at the age of eighty-one. They are interred together. Arlan's obituary reports that he was buried in St. Mary's Cemetery in Coon Valley. This is probably in error.

Children: (15)
15.1.....Stanley A. Dwyer (*10.11.1950)
Stanley and Sue Garves (*1952) we wed on 3 August 1974 in La Crosse.

15.2.....Maxine K. Dwyer (*22.06.1952)
15.3.....Darlene M. Dwyer (*09.08.1953)
Darlene married Charlie Hundt of Bangor.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Gregory „Greg“ C. Hundt (*28.08.1974)
2.2.....Carisa M. Hundt (*07.11.1977)

15.4.....Cynthia Jean Dwyer (*24.12.1954)
Cynthia was the fourth child of Virginia and Arlan. Born on Christmas Eve, she was quite a present!

On the first of November 1987 in Clark, Nevada she married Robert J. Janeiro (*26.01.1944). This is undoubtedly Clark County (Las Vegas) rather than the village of Clark which is east of Reno.

15.5.....Roxanne R. Dwyer (*06.04.1956) of Coon Valley
In 2008 Roxanne was living in Coon Valley.

15.6.....Darrel Dwyer (*02.12.1957)
Darrell and Laura Ann Bahr (*25.09.1960) were married on the 24th of November 1979 in La Crosse.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Jennifer Lynn Dwyer (*29.06.1981 Mower MN)
2.2.....Benjamin James Dwyer (*15.06.1983 Mower MN)

15.7.....Marilyn J. Dwyer (*1959)
Marilyn was wed to Randolph „Randy“ Otis Jones (*1952). The ceremony was on 25 April 1981 in La Crosse.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Nick Jones
Nick married Julia.

2.2.....Casi Jones

15.8.....Wayne T. Dwyer (*14.10.1960)
Wayne and Beverly Diane Simon (*17.11.1959) were married on 29 August 1992 in La Crosse.

15.9.....Keith J. Dwyer (*28.11.1961)
At the turn of the Century Keith was living in Coon Valley.

15.10.....Sue Anne Dwyer (*16.03.1963)
Sue and Gregory Dean Tolvstad (*20.05.1957 Brown County MN), the son of Dean Arliss und Jean Adrienne Lowry Tolvstad, married. The wedding was on 22 September 1984 in La Crosse.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Andrew „Andy“ Tolvstad (*07.03.1985)
Andy and Emily are married.

3.2.....MIchael „Mike“ Tolvstad (*May 1986)
3.3.....„Jackie“ Jaclyn Tolvstad

15.11.....Brent David Dwyer (*1964)
In 1989 Brent and Diane Kay Penchi (*1963) were married. The ceremony was on 19 August 1989 in Vernon.

15.12.....Daniel R. Dwyer (*01.11.1965)
Daniel's wife is Sue. They live in Coon Valley.

15.13.....Lisa J. Dwyer (*22.06.1967)

15.14.....Rhonda Dwyer (*21.01.1969 La Crosse WI, +24.04.2016 Coon Valley WI)
Rhonda Dwyer
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Brian Buckmaster *23.10.1968 married Rhonda. The wedding was on 26 May 1990 in St. Peter's Catholic Church on Middle Ridge. They had two children.

Rhonda was buried in the North Ridge Cemetery on Middle Ridge. Her obituary tells a little about her life.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Taylor Buckmaster
Taylor married Jeff Lejeune.

Children: (1)
1.1.....Colton Lejeune

2.2.....Adam Buckmaster

15.15.....Timothy Jon Dwyer (*27.06.1971)
Tim and Michelle Marie Amundson (*07.01.1971) were married on 4 June 1994 in Vernon County WI.

From Arlan's obituary we know of many more descendants of Virginia and Arlan. However, we do not know where to place them in the story. They are: Jason (and Lorin) Rienze, Chad (and Emily), Jenny and Ben (and Mandi) Dwyer, Joe and Zach Dwyer, Amber (and Eric) Dwyer-Groves, Emily Dwyer, Samantha Schuster, Jordyn, Ashley, Bekah and Jake Dwyer. Plus there were 12 un-named great-grandchildren at the time. Undoubtedly more now in 2020.

13.7.....Janice M. Klos (*1934, +1935)
13.8.....Jeanette „Nettie“ Klos (*1934)
Nettie and Richard C.Schoen (*23.03.1933 La Crosse, +03.07.2020 Clare Bridge of La Crosse WI) married. The ceremony was on the 23rd of August 1958 in the Catholic Church on St. Joseph Ridge. Richard was the son of John and Lillian Grosskopf Schoen. He grew up in La Crosse, attending Aquinas High School. He served in the U.S. Navy. By profession he was a fireman for the City of La Crosse. His hobbies were hunting and playing cards. They built their own home, mostly themselves with help from their children.

Richard passed at the age of eighty-seven in 2020. He was interred in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park in La Crosse.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Randy Schoen
Randy's wife is Elizabeth.

3.2.....Duane Schoen
Duane's wife is Linda.

3.3.....Janine Schoen
Janine and Dave Hutchinson married.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Christa Hutchinson
2.2.....Kaitlyn Hutchinson

From Richard's obituary we know of more descendants. we just do not yet know where to place them in the story: Alexandra „Ali" Hallacy, Zoey Hallacy, Christian Schoen, Emily Schoen, Andrew Schoen, and Eric Schoen.

13.9.....Lauren James Klos (*08.06.1935 La Crosse WI, +12.07.2004 La Crosse WI)
Lauren and Jean M. (*12.10.1939) were married on 30 September 1967.

Lauren passed away at the age of sixty-nine and was buried in the Cemetery at Saint Joseph Ridge Catholic Church.

13.10.....Patricia C. Klos (*13.06.1936)
Donald P. Antony (*14.08.1936 Bangor WI, +01.02.1999 La Crosse) and Patricia were wed. Don was the son of Raymond and Lillian Mashak Antony. Don died at the age of sixty-two. He was buried in the Catholic Cemetery in La Crosse.

Children: (6)
6.1.....Pamela Antony
Pamela married a man with the name Hass.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Jeremy Hass
2.2.....Erica Hass

6.2.....Sheila Antony
Shiela and Mark Olsen married.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Neil Olsen
2.2.....Joe Olsen

6.3.....Suzanne „Sue“ Antony
Paul Puerzner and Sue married.

Children: (1)
1.1.....Magen Puerzner

6.4.....Steven „Steve“ Donald Antony (*1960)
Steve married Linda Marie Rod *1961 on 26 September 1981. The ceremony was in Grant County WI.

6.5.....Bryan R. Antony (*04.03.1961 La Crosse WI, +17.11.2018 La Crosse WI)
Bryan and Christine Sharpe married on 15 June 1996. They later divorced. They had three children and one grandchildren, whose names we do not yet know. Bryan loved the outdoors, including hockey, musky fishing, and hunting.

Bryan was buried in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse.

6.6.....James Antony
James's wife is named Jane.

The following seven of Patricia and Don Antony's descendants, named in Don's obituary, cannot be allocated to a family: Melissa Heather, Chad Antony, Jennifer Antony, Alyson Kirsten Antony, and Dominic Antony.

13.11.....David J. Klos (*08.11.1937, +24.05.2004 La Crosse WI)
We are not aware of David having married. He passed away at the age of sixty-six and was interred in the Saint Joseph Ridge Catholic Cemetery.

13.12.....Clarice Klos (*04.02.1943)
Clarice and Donald L. Wuensch (*25.09.1941) married. We have no other information on them at the moment.

13.13....Cornelius A. Klos (*27.11.1944)
Cornelius and Mary Jo Drecktrah (*18.03.1913, +19.04.2006) married. Mary Jo was the daughter of Willard C. and Cordelia Pierce Drecktrah.

6.2.....Alvin Lawrence Kirschner (*21.08.1902, +25.03.1989 La Crosse WI)
As seen above Alvin in 1930 was working on his father's farm on State Trunk Highway. He was 27 years old and single.

In the Census ten years later Alvin had married Marie A. Uhler (*24.11.1899 La Crosse, +11.09.1948 La Crosse). Marie was the daughter of Wenzel and Elizabeth Houska Uhler.

Alvin was a "spot welder" at a company making air conditioning equipment. Marie was a saleswoman at a department store. In the prior year (1939) they both had worked full time. Alvin's income was $1119 and Marie's $817. In the 1940 Census they lived at 1650 Farnam in La Crosse City in a home which they owned. The value was stated at $4000. They were enumerated as having lived in the same house in 1935. If this is correct, they were probably married prior to 1935. But literally everyone on the page is also identified as having been living in the same place in 1935. Perhaps it is unreliable information.

Marie died eight years later at the age of forty-nine. She was buried in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse. Alvin joined her forty-one years later. We are not aware of their having any children.

At some time after the death of Marie, Alvin re-married. His second wife was Marjorie Gesell White (*14.05.1908 Sheldon MN, +14.10.2003 La Crosse WI). Marjorie had also been previously married to a Mr. White, with whom she had one child, a daughter Marjorie Kay White (Dummer). Marjorie was also buried in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse.

6.3.....Dorothy M Kirschner (*04.11.1904 St. Joseph, LaC-Cty WI, +11.06.1990 La Crosse WI)
In the 1930 Census Dorothy and her sister Sophie were living together at 424 North 4th in La Crosse City. Dorothy worked in a laundry.

During the 1930s Dorothy married Leonard E. Engelcke (*05.08.1906 Minnesota, +10.06.1968). He had served in the U.S. Army from 1930 to 1933.

In the 1940 Census Leonard was enumerated as a "tax mapper". He had worked 32 weeks in 1939, earning a total of $440. Dorothy worked in a private home doing washing and ironing. She reported working ten weeks and earned $104. The Depression of the 1930s was continuing and treating them harshly.

In 1940 Leonard and Dorothy were renting at 1238 Park Avenue in La Crosse. There monthly rent was $16. Their neighbors were Leonard's parents, Julius and Karoline. During 1939 Julius had worked a total of 14 weeks as a church janitor. His earnings for the year were $205.

Their marriage did not survive, however. They divorced. We know of no children. Dorothy was buried in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse.

6.4.....Sophie Christina Kirschner (*1907, +18.09.1989 La Crosse WI)
Sophie and William Brooks
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Sophie, as mentioned above, in 1930 lived with her sister Dorothy in La Crosse. She was a seamstress in a laundry.

Like Dorothy, Sophie also married during the 1930s. She and William F. Brooks (*30.04.1894, +19.11.1978) were married.

Sophie died at the age of eighty-one. She was buried in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse with her husband William. William had preceded her in death by eleven years.

Again, we are not aware of any children of Sophie and William.

6.5.....Valentine Kirschner (*1910 +1910)
6.6.....Cecilia M. Kirschner (*15.08.1914 WI, +02.12.2009 Sparta, Monroe Cty WI)
George J. Weiner (*04.04.1913, +July 1978 Monroe County WI).

In 1940 the Weiners were enumerated in the U.S. Census. They had just had their first of three children. Both Cecilia and George had completed eight years of schooling. George was a hospital janitor. His earnings from working every week in 1939 were $960. They lived in Sparta City, Monroe County WI. Sparta is about twenty miles ENE of La Crosse.

Cecilia passed away in 2009 at the age of ninety-five. She was preceded in death by her husband George and two of their three children. George and Cecilia were interred together in the Saint Patrick's Cemetery in Sparta, Monroe Cty WI.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Michael Weiner (*1940)

3.2.....Mary Jean Weiner (*1942, +03.02.1973 Sparta, Monroe Cty WI)
Mary Jean Weiner and Mark W. Weiner
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Mary Jean passed in 1973 in Sparta. She was thirty years old. It appears that she was not married. Burial was in the Saint Patrick's Cemetery in Sparta.

3.3.....Mark W. Weiner (*1949, +07.04.1978 WI)
Mark died at the age of 29 in 1978, five years after his sister Mary Jean. He was interred in the Saint Patrick's Cemetery in a grave he shared with Mary Jean.

We are undoubtedly missing much information about the children of Cecelia and George. We know of no marriages of their three children. Yet Cecelia's obituary as seen above states that there were seven grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren who survived her. If this were true, perhaps all three of their children married.

11.4.....Frederick Gerke (*26.07.1881, +16.08.1881)
11.5.....Emil Frederick Gerke (*31.05.1882 Greenfield, LaC-Cty WI, +06.03.1960 Sparta, Monroe Cty WI)


Emil was married two times. First, in 1906, he married Lena Leek (*09.02.1882 Sparta, Monroe County WI, +01.11.1911). Lena was the daughter of Fred and Emilia Patz Leek. The wedding was on 24 July 1906 In Sparta, Monroe County WI.

They were enumerated in the 1910 Census. They had bought a farm in Sparta and were working it. Lena had borne three children, two of whom were living at the time of the Census. Their second daughter Dorothy had just been born -- 0 months old.

Unfortunately the following year Lena passed away. She was buried in the Saint John's Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Sparta. Emil was a single father with two children, ages two and one.

Two years later Emil married Agnes Katherine Muehlenberg (*1893, +30.04.1967 La Crosse WI), the daughter of Mathias and Elizabeth Schmitz Muehlenberg. Agnes was twenty years old and one of at least eight siblings.

Emil and Agnes were enumerated in the Census years of 1920, pages one and two, 1930, and 1940, pages one and two. Other than listing more children, little other information is gleaned. In 1930 there are still seven children living at home, ages 21 down to 4. In 1940 four are still in the house, two sons ages 19 and 15 working on the family farm and two younsters ages 9 and 4.

Emil died in March 1960. He was interred in Saint Patrick's Cemetery in Sparta. Agnes followed him seven years later and was buried with Emil.

Children: (11)
Children with Lena Leek
11.1.....Clara H. Gerke (*1909)
Other than the Census of 1910 we have no other information about Clara.

11.2.....Dorothy H. Gerke (*06.04.1910 Sparta, Monroe County WI, +27.04.1988 WI)
Dorothy and Selvin Orlando Mennes (*20.07.1905 Rio, Columbia County WI +21.01.1997 Stoughton, Dane County WI married in 1940. Selvin was the son of Ole S. and Anna Jarshaw Mennes. Ole was an emigrant from Norway, Anna was born in Otsego, Columbia County WI.

Children with Agnes Muehlenberg
11.3.....Leonard M. Gerke (*05.11.1915, +21.09.1987 La Crosse WI)
Leonard, Dorothy and Robert Gerke
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On the 10th of November 1937 Leonard took Dorothy M. Schroeder (*13.04.1919 Middle Ridge, LaC-Cty WI, +19.12.2014, LaC-Cty WI) as his bride. Joseph and Katherina Antony Schroeder were the parents of Dorothy.

Again highlighting the life in a small town, Leonard’s sister 11.4 Gertrude Gerke married Dorothy’s brother Harold Schroeder as seen below.

In the 1940 Census Leonard and Dorothy were farming in Sparta Town, Monroe County WI. They were the parents of their first child Shelba Jean. They did not report their income for 1939.

Children: (4)
4.1.....Shelba Jean Gerke (*28.09.1938 Sparta, +08.06.2008 Galesville, Trempealeau County WI)
Shelba Jean was married in 1956 to Eugene Paulus, the son of Vincent and Marian Paulus. The ceremony was on 6 October 1956 in Bangor WI.

Shelba Jean worked for many years for Lake Center Industries, retiring in 1999. She enjoyed gardening, playing cards, cooking, sewing and traveling. They also had a second home in Texas. She died after a lengthy battle with cancer. Her obituary tells of the many enjoyments in her life.

Children: (6)
6.1.....Jeffery Paulus
Jeff and Tammy of Galesville married. They have two sons.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Josh Paulus
Josh married a young lady by the name of Lindsey of Neenah WI.

2.2.....Jesse Paulus
At last notice Jesse was engaged to Jennie from Minneapolis.

6.2.....Renee S. Paulus (*1959)
Randy A. Hoff (*1959) and Renee were married on 12 July 1980 in La Crosse. They were both twenty-one.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Jerrod Hoff (*11.07.1976)
Jerrod married a Spartan by the name of Sheila.

2.2.....Amanda Hoff
From the obituary of her mother Shelba Jean we know that Amanda was engaged to marry Erik of Winona MN.

6.3.....Brian Eugene Paulus (*23.09.1959)
In 1984 Brian and Pamela Ann Hunter (*1963) married. The ceremony took place on 4 August in Trempealeau WI where they lived. Trempealeau is a small town on the Mississippi River, half way between Minneapolis and La Crosse.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Kayla Paulus
At the time of Kayla's grandmother Shelba Jean's passing, Kayla lived in Hager City WI, a small town on the east side of the Mississippi close to St. Paul MN.

2.2.....Mitchell Paulus
Mitchell also lived in Hager City WI.

6.4.....Sandra Paulus
In 2008 Sandra was living in Sumter, South Carolina.

6.5.....Pamela Paulus
Duane Lee married Pamela.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Grant Lee
Grant lived in Arcadia WI in 2008.

2.2.....Jason Lee
Jason was living in Galesville WI.

6.6.....Mark Robert Paulus (*09.07.1967)
Mark and Mary Elizabeth Boyer of Eagan MN married.

Children: (4)
4.1.....Daniel „Danny“ Paulus (*15.04.1993 Hennepin Cty MN)
4.2.....Sarah Paulus (*11.10.1995 Hennepin Cty MN)
4.3.....Erin Catherine Paulus (*14.01.2000 Hennepin Cty MN)
4.4.....Riley Paulus

4.2.....Bonnie Lynn Gerke
Bonnie and Edward Laxton married.

Children: (4)
4.1.....Lori Laxton
4.2.....Scott Laxton
Scott's wife is Sheri.

4.3.....Todd Laxton
4.4.....Paul Laxton
Paul's wife is Kim.

4.3.....Robert L. Gerke (*1950, +1971)
Robert died at the age of twenty. He is buried with his parents in the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Bangor, LaC-Cty).

4.4.....Patricia „Patty“ M. Gerke (*02.01.1956)
Patty and Robin R. Gjertsen (*23.09.1956 Milwaukee +23.09.2009 WI) were married the day after Valentines 1975 in La Crosse. Robin was the son of Robert and Lois Marzofka Gjertsen.

Robin passed away in 2009 at the age of fifty-three.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Noel R. Gjertsen (*05.04.1975)
In 1999 Noel was living in Bangor WI.

3.2.....Jessica J. Gjertsen (*20.01.1979)
In 2004 Jessica was living in Onalaska, La Crosse County. Her partner is Samina Grimes (*31.07.1975).

3.3.....John T. Gjertsen (*11.10.1980)
In 2009 John was living in Bangor WI.

At the time of Dorothy Schroeder Gerke's death in 2014 her obituary talks of 14 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren. Several remain without names and placement with their parents in this story.

11.4.....Gertrude Genevieve Gerke (*07.07.1917 Sparta, Monroe County WI, +09.01.1996 Newport, Washington County MN)
In the early 1940s Gertrude and Harold Peter Schroeder (*30.10.1917 WI, +20.08.1996 Newport, Washington County MN) married. Harold was the son of Joseph and Katherina Antony Schroeder.

As mentioned above, Gertrude's brother 11.3 Leonard Gerke married Harold's sister Dorothy Schroeder.

In the 1940 Census, prior to their wedding, Harold was a lodger with the family of James O. Johnson who were farmers in Onalaska, La Crosse County. Harold, a single 22 year old, worked for Johnson on the farm. A year later Harold registered for the U.S. Army draft, eight months before Pearl Harbor and the U.S. entry into World War II.

Harold passed away in 1996 at the age of seventy-eight and was buried in the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Gertrude passed away seven months later and was buried with Harold.

Children: (5)
5.1.....Jacqueline Mary Schroeder (*19.08.1946 Ramsey MN)
Jacqueline and Lloyd Helm married.

5.2.....Donald Schroeder
5.3.....Dennis Emil Schroeder (*29.11.1950 Ramsey MN)


5.4.....David Joseph Schroeder (*29.11.1950 Ramsey MN)
On 15 June 1974 in Dakota, Minnesota David and Luann Petersen (*1954) were married.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Cari Ann Schroeder (*23.11.1974 Ramsey MN)


2.2.....Lisa Jo Schroeder (*05.07.1976 Dakota MN)


5.5.....Juliann Agnes Schroeder (*04.07.1957 Ramsey MN)
Juliann and Rogelio Scorio Resedenz (*1956) were married on 3 June 1978 in Ramsey, Hennepin County MN. Unfortunately the marriage ended in divorce three years later.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Jonathon Robert Resendenz *20.08.1972 Ramsey MN
2.2.....Taralynn Marie Resendenz *19.05.1977 Ramsey MN
Teralynn and Marshall Lee Cordie (*03.02.1973) married.

Children: (1)
1.1.....Rileigh Jae Cordie (*20.08.2001 Ramsey MN)


11.5.....Frederick B. Gerke (*26.05.1919, +02.06.1980 La Crosse WI)
Fred enlisted in the U.S. Army in May 1941, seven months before the U.S. entered World War II. He was twenty-two years old, single and a farm hand at the time. In the Army Fred was a Tec, Fourth Class. His enlistment was one month after his future brother-in-law Harold Schroeder's. They undoubtedly knew each other.

Fred's Burial Info
Click to enlarge		 Fred and Bernice's Gravestone
Click to enlarge		 Memorial to Fred's Military Service
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Probably following his return from his miliary service Fred and Bernice Cora Olson (*06.09.1919, +25.05.2002 Bangor WI), the daughter of Harry M. and Pernellie H.E. Amborn Olson, married. Bernice passed away twenty-two years after Fred and was interred with him in the Burns Cemetery. Her obituary in the La Crosse Tribune lists their children.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Jeanette Gerke (*22.10.1950)
The Brownell Family Plot
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Memorial to Ron's Military Service
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Ronald William Brownell (*25.08.1944 Cashton, +20.04.2011 Sparta WI) and Jeanette were married 13 June 1970. Ron was the son of Ernest and Leona Brownell.

Prior to their wedding Ron was a staff-sergeant in the U.S. Army. He passed away at the age of sixty-seven and was buried in the Burns Cemetery in Bangor, La Crosse County.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Shane Brownell
Lori Lynn and Shane married.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Jackson Brownell
2.2.....Shannon Brownell

2.2.....Shannon Brownell
Michael Parker and Shannon married.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Karrie Parker
Karrie married a young man by the name of Fanning.

3.2.....Anthony Parker
3.3.....Jeremy Parker

3.2.....Janice Gerke (*01.01.1951)
Janice married Gordon Haubenschild. In reality, we do not know the birthdate of Janice. It is more likely about 1953.

3.3.....Judith „Judy“ Bernice Gerke (*11.02.1956)
We believe Judy has been married two times. The first with a man by the name of Valetta, with whom she had a son Justin. The second with Randy Ray Schmidt (*1954). The ceremony was on 20 October 1990 in La Crosse.

Children: (1)
1.1.....Justin D. Valetta (*07.10.1984)


11.6.....Joseph William Gerke (*01.01.1921, +20.05.1989 La Crosse WI)
We know from the gravestone of Joe's wife Eileen A. (*10.07.1927). They were married after the 1940 Census. They are buried in the St. Marys Catholic Cemetery in Bangor. We are not aware of any children.

11.7.....Herman Peter Gerke (*07.07.1922 Sparta, Monroe Cty WI, +14.08.1922 Sparta, Monroe Cty WI)
Herman Peter died at the age of five weeks in 1922. His younger sister Hilda was later buried with him in St. Patrick's Cemetery in Sparta, Monroe County WI.

11.8.....Bernard Peter Gerke (*30.10.1925 WI, +05.11.1985 Dane County WI)
We are not aware of Bernard having married or having children. His gravestone would suggest he did not marry, or at least was not married at the time of his death. He passed away at the age of sixty.

11.9.....Hilda Gerke (*12.05.1927 Sparta, Monroe Cty WI, +12.05.1927 Sparta, Monroe Cty WI)
Hilda is buried with her older brother Herman in the St. Patrick's Cemetery.

11.10.....Herbert E. Gerke (*09.02.1931 Sparta, Monroe Cty WI, +31.08.2013 St. Paul, Ramsey Cty WI)
Herb Gerke
Herb was a butcher (meat cutter) for Armour & Company as a profession. In late January 1951 in St. Paul he and Audrey Juanita Eiler (*30.10.1929, +01.02.2007) were married. As hobbies he enjoyed woodworking and gardening. He was a member of St. Joseph Church in Prescott WI. They raised five children.

Following the death of Audrey in 2007 he married Constance „Connie“ Mary Jelmberg Chambers (*1931, +2016) for the last few years of his life. Connie was the widow of John Richard Chambers who had passed away in 2002.

Herb died in 2013, six years after Audrey. They are buried together in St. Joseph Cemetery in Prescott, Pierce County WI.

Children: (5)
5.1.....Michael Herbert Gerke (*21.11.1956 Ramsey MN)
Michael and Elizabeth Ann Laust (*25.01.1957 Ramsey MN), the daughter of Warren Ray and Aemelia Jane Campbell Laust, married on the 2nd of December 1977 In Washington MN.

Children: (6)
6.1.....Eric Thomas Gerke (*04.04.1978 Ramsey MN)
6.2.....Nathan Warren Gerke (*09.06.1979 Dakota MN)
6.3.....Karalynn Lanette Gerke (*18.09.1983 Dakota MN)
6.4.....Kevin Michael Gerke (*01.01.1985 Dakota MN)
6.5.....Rhiannon Kathleen Gerke (*18.03.1987 Dakota MN)
6.6.....Genevieve Elizabeth Gerke (*07.07.1992 Ramsey MN)

5.2.....Thomas Emil Gerke (*21.03.1958 Ramsey MN)
Tom and Rebecca „Becky“ Naomi Hanson (*1961) married on 26 June 1982. They have one son.

Children: (1)
1.1.....Jonathan Michael Gerke (*08.07.1983 Olmsted MN)

5.3.....Lanette Marie Gerke (*25.01.1961 Dakota MN)
On 7 January 1984 in Eau Claire WI Lanette and Galen Charles Flunker (*05.08.1957) were married.

5.4.....Joanne Mary Gerke (*19.01.1962 Dakota MN)
In the obituary of Herbert Gerke is mentioned a Rhonda Cooley Gerke as the spouse of Joanne Gerke. More information would be helpful.

5.5.....Steven „Steve“ Eugene Gerke (*1965)
Denise Lynn Giesler (*1965) and Steve were married on 1 April 1995 in Pierce, Wisconsin.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Christopher Joseph Gerke (*30.09.1998 Hennepin MN)
2.2.....Jared Thomas Gerke (*17.10.2001 Hennepin MN)

Also in the obituary for Herb are mentioned 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Most of these family members are unable to be identified in this story.

11.11.....Marcella Gerke (*1936)
We know very little about Marcella. She is enumerated in the 1940 Census. Then in the obituary for her brother 11.10 Herbert she is mentioned as living in Grove, Oklahoma with her husband Robert Crocker.

11.6.....Margaret Gerke (*08.11.1883, +15.08.1938)
Margaret did not marry. In 1940 she was living with her sister 11.10 Sophia and her husband Richard Klos.

Margaret passed away at the age of fifty-four and was buried at St. Joseph Ridge Cemetery in a family grave.

11.7.....Francis "Frank" Gerke (*20.07.1885 St. Joseph Ridge, LaC-Cty WI, +26.12.1961)
Frank and Anna "Annie" Stroeh (*28.10.1886 St. Joseph Ridge, LaC-Cty WI, +20.12.1945 La Crosse WI) married. The ceremony was on 6 August 1907 in La Crosse County. Anna was the daughter of Henry and Mary Porsch Stroeh. In various documents the family name is spelled differently, e.g. Stroch. For the time being we believe that Stroeh (Ströh in German) is probably correct.

The Frank Gerkes are enumerated in several Census years. Beginning with 1910 they were farming on property they owned on Bliss Road in Campbell Town, La Crosse County. Their neighbors were the Kohlmeiers, the Breidels and the Millers. Annie's sister Emma, 25 and single, lived with them. Annie had borne the first two of their twelve children.

The screen shots of Census information are shown in the Links of this story. However, if one wants to view the entire original pages, they are available in "Live Links" at the very bottom of this story.

Frank and Anna Stroeh Gerke
Click to enlarge
Ten years later their family was up to seven children, all living at home. The oldest, Alvin, was twelve. A few farms down the road was that of Leonard Stroeh, probably the brother of Annie.

In 1930 the neighbors were the same, the Kohlmeiers and the Breidels. But this was to be expected of farm families. Alvin, their oldest at twenty-two, was working at a stone quarry, not working on the family farm. Mathilda, age eighteen, worked in a restaurant.

Then during the 1930's the Gerke's moved off their farm. For in 1940 they were renting a house on Highway 33 in Shelby Town, La Crosse County. Frank is enumerated on the last line of one page and the rest of the family on next. Five of their children were living in the home, ages 7 to 28, all single. Frank reported still being a farmer and having worked 52 weeks in 1939. As seen below, the farm was now being rented by their oldest son Alvin and Frank was also working on it.

Anna passed away at the age of fifty-nine in 1945. She was buried in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse. Frank survived her by sixteen years. In 1961 he was interred with Anna.

In all Frank and Anna had twelve children, most of whom were also buried in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse. The twelve were born over a twenty-five year span.

Children: (12)
12.1.....Alvin F. Gerke (*28.12.1907 La Crosse WI, +13.01.1982 La Crosse WI)
In 1930 Alvin was working at a stone quarry, not working on the family farm. This was unusual as the sons almost always were helping the father on the farm.

In 1932 Alvin and Elizabeth Marcella Roesler (*29.11.1911 Coon Valley, Vernon County WI, +04.08.1999 La Crosse County WI) were wed. Elizabeth was the daughter of William Georg and Emma Sybil Kreibich Roesler. Elizabeth and Alvin proceded to also have a large family with thirteen children of a nineteen year span.

The story of Alvin and Elizabeth is told here. Buy to Link to the Roesler family click HERE.

In the 1940 Census Alvin with his wife and children appears to now be renting his parent's family farm. The monthly rent was $30. The Breidels and Kohlmeiers are still neighbors. Alvin and Elizabeth reported they had each completed seven years of schooling. They were on their way toward building their family with four children, the oldest being six years.

Alvin passed away at the age of 75. Elizabeth followed seventeen years later. They are buried together in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse.

The lengthy list of children, siblings, and in-laws is available on FamilySearch.com in the obituary of Donald Gerke (*1938).

Children: (13)
13.1.....Kenneth „Ken“ Gerke (*1934)
Ken and Jacquelyn „Jackie“ Finch (*1939) married. Jackie was the daughter of Henry and Lyda Martin Finch. We have no further information about Ken and Jackie.

13.2.....Malinda J. Gerke (*01.03.1935)
Mary of the Angels Chapel
Click to enlarge		 Sister Malinda Gerke
Click to enlarge
Malinda as a young woman chose to go into the convent. She is now Sister Malinda Gerke of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. She has spent much of her life being a professional music teacher and documenting the history of the beautiful Mary of the Angels Chapel, about which she has published a book.

To read much more about the book and see many photographs of the Chapel, click HERE. Information is also available on how to purchase the book.

13.3.....Donald E. Gerke (*01.02.1938 La Crosse WI, +26.06.2004 La Crosse WI)
Barbara Jean Allen (*03.06.1938 +01.10.2003), the daughter of John Everett and Florence Allen, and Don were married 17 May 1958 in La Crosse.

Barbara passed away in 2003 at the age of sixty-five. Don a year later. Don was interred in the Mormon Coulee Memorial Park in La Crosse. His obituary lists his surviving family.

Children: (8)
8.1.....Debra Gerke
Debra and Ron Miller married.

8.2.....Linda Anne Gerke (*03.12.1959, +16.03.2013)
Linda was married two times. Her first husband was Michael R.E. Frick, with whom she had one son Joseph. The ceremony took place on 17.09.1983 in La Crosse.

Her second marriage was with James "Jim" Barney, with whom she had a son and daughter. Linda died young, at the age of fifthy-three and was buried in the Mormon Coulee Memorial Park in La Crosse.

Children: (3)
With Michael Frick:
3.1.....Joseph Frick

With Jim Barney:
3.2.....Robert Barney
3.3.....Carolyn Barney

8.3.....Roxanne Gerke
Roxanne married Brian Hicke. We have no further information.

8.4.....Nancy Gerke
Nancy married Scott Ziebell.

8.5.....Paula Gerke
8.6.....John Alvin Gerke (*17.12.1960 Wabasha MN, +06.08.2019 Wabasha MN)
John was born in Wabasha MN, a small town on the west bank of the Mississippi River midway between La Crosse and Minneapolis. It is assumed that the family was living there, as their next child Thomas was born there as well.

John and Michelle Rose married. They apparently had sons but we do not know the names or dates. His interests and career are told in the brief obituary included with his burial information. John, like his sister Linda, passed away in his fifties.

8.7.....Thomas Edward Gerke (*02.07.1962 Wabasha MN)
Tom and Joy married.

8.8.....Anthony Dale Gerke (*19.05.1965)
Anthony and Julie Anne Orcutt (*27.02.1965) were married on the last day of June, 1990 in La Crosse. We are not aware of children.

13.4.....Eugene Gerke (*21.09.1939)
Eugene is mentioned in the obituary of his brother 13.3 Donald. His wife was Betty.

13.5.....Alfred R. „Al“ Gerke (*12.11.1942 La Crosse WI, +07.11.2004 La Crosse WI)
Al Gerke
Al married Ann K. Scanlan (*03.12.1940). They lived in Taylor WI, about thirty miles north of La Crosse.

Like several of his close relatives, Al died young at the age of sixty-one. He was buried in the Mormon Coulee Memorial Park in La Crosse.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Brenda Gerke
Brenda and a member of the Mitchell family married.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Nathan Mitchell
2.2.....Dusty Mitchell

3.2.....Connie L. Gerke (*11.04.1968)
Connie and „Frank“ Francis Fogel *08.09.1965 married. We are aware of the one son Devin.

Children: (1)
1.1.....Devin Fogel

3.3.....Derek Gerke

13.6.....Betty Gerke
Betty is mentioned as a surviving sister of her brother 13.3 Donald in his 2004 obituary. Betty married Richard Roth.

13.7.....Donna Mae Gerke (*18.02.1944)
Donna Mae and Paul Anthony Cuta (*18.09.1941) married on 14 November 1981 in La Crosse.

Children: (at least 3)
3.1.....Beth Marie Cuta (*~1982 La Crosse)
Beth and Christopher J. Swertfeger (*~1980) married.

3.2.....James Anthony Cuta (*~1984 La Crosse)

3.3.....Courtney Elizabeth Cuta (*~1984 La Crosse)
Courtney married a Moran.

13.8.....James Patrick Gerke (*17.03.1945)
James married Darlene Ann Biermann Boldt (*01.12.1932), the daughter of Walter and Margret Biermann. She was the widow of Leroy Boldt (1931-1981).

There are, however, conflicting documents relating to Darlene Biermann. One example purports to be her obituary.

13.9.....Paul A. Gerke (*18.04.1946)
Paul married Sally M. (*1951). They lived in La Crosse.

13.10.....Mary Ellen Gerke (*02.08.1947)
Mary Ellen and Dave Clements married.

13.11.....Gregory G. Gerke (*30.12.1948)
Gregory's wife is Patricia.

13.12.....Mary Lu Gerke (*17.02.1952)

13.13.....Alvin Fred Gerke Jr (*May.1953, +Jan.1954)
Alvin Jr, the last of Alvin and Elizabeth's children, died at eight months of age and was buried in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse.

12.2.....Josephine Dorothy Gerke (*04.09.1909 Shelby, LaC-Cty WI, +22.10.1998)
Josephine passed at age eighty-nine in Wabasha, Wabasha County MN.

During her life she was married twice. Her first husband was William Casper Kendhammer (*06.01.1906 Greenfield, LaC-Cty WI, +14.02.1949 La Crosse WI). William died at age forty-three in 1949 and was buried in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse. Sometime thereafter Josephine married a man by the name of Evanson. Josephine was buried in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse with William.

We are aware of no children. It is curious, however, that the gravestone for Josephine states "mother" and for William "father". Hopefully in the future we will learn of their family.

12.3.....Mathilda C. „Tillie“ Gerke (*1911, +04.03.2008 La Crosse WI)
In the 1930 Census Mathilda, age eighteen, worked in a restaurant while living at home.

On the 26th of May in 1936 Tillie and Frank M. Beranek (*1906, +1979) were married.

They lived in La Crosse City. They were a family of four. The 1940 Census shows us how different and difficult life was as compared to today. They paid rent home of $20 per month or $240 for the year. Frank was a truck driver for a bakery, Tillie a restaurant waitress. In the prior year (1939 and still very much in the Depression) Frank had worked 45 weeks and earned $750 for the year. Tillie had worked 9 weeks and earned $45 for household earnings of almost $800 for the year!.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Shirley A. Beranek (*13.04.1937 WI)
Shirley and George Storey married. They had three children, all girls.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Cheryl Ann Storey (*24.08.1960)
William Jerry Juen (*1960) and Cheryl were married in 1983. The ceremony on 12 March was in La Crosse.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Chelsea Juen
2.2.....Bill Juen

3.2.....Tamaine „Tammy“ Storey (*23.01.1965 WI)
Tammy and Ashley Roellich married.

3.3.....Lisa Marie Storey (*05.02.1966, +24.02.2002 Madison WI)


3.2.....Stanley „Stan“ F. Beranek (*06.05.1938)
Stan and Carol Macgregor were married. In 2012 they were living in New Mexico.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Steve Beranek (*07.09.1965, *15.07.2004 Phoenix AZ)
2.2.....Kyle Beranek (*15.10.1975)

3.3.....Sharon K. Beranek (*04.11.1943 La Crosse WI, +11.01.2012 La Crosse WI)
Sharon did not marry. She did have a very special friend, however, in Jack Melsheimier. She enjoyed playing bingo, doing crosswords, bowling and other activities as described in her obituary.

12.4.....Leo William Gerke (*23.09.1912 WI, *28.01.1994 La Crosse WI)
Leo William Gerke Military Memorial
Leo probably enlisted soon after Pearl Harbor. He was a Private First Class in the U.S. Army in World War II, as shown on his Military Memorial in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse in La Crosse.

Leo married Doris M. Roesler (*23.04.1922 +29.05.2019), the daughter of Frank and Martha Eggler Roesler. While we do not have the marriage record for Leo and Doris, they probably were married in 1941. Doris would have been nineteen years old in late April 1941. Leo was twenty-eight. Pearl Harbor was 7 December, six and a half months later. Their first child, a daughter Doris, was born one month to the day after Pearl Harbor in January 1942.

In the 1940 Census Leo had been single, living at home and working as a riverer in a farm machinery factory. He is on Line 2 of the page, directly below his mother Annie. His father Frank was enumerated on the prior page as shown above.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Doris M. Gerke (*07.01.1942)
Doris married Dale Mikshowsky.

3.2.....Rozanne Gerke
Rozanne and Alfred Malin were married.

3.3.....Frank Gerke
Frank's wife is Lois.

12.5.....Florence C. Gerke (*01.07.1914 La Crosse WI, +08.05.1992 La Crosse WI)
Florence and Walter C. Schams (*18.01.1916 La Crosse WI, +04.09.1987 La Crosse WI) married in 1938. Walter was the son of Carl John and Susan Helen Kemp Schams.

Walter passed away in 1987, Florence in 1992. Walter and Florence are buried together in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse.

Children: (1)
1.1.....Dale F. „Sonny“ Schams (*13.10.1947, +29.12.2001)
Suzi Hammill Schams
Dale, the only child of Florence and Walter, was married on 9 November 1968 to Sue E. „Suzi“ Hammill (*24.05.1947 Hazel Green, Grant County WI, +03.12.2012 La Crosse WI). Suzi was the daughter of Delbert M. and June E. Chadwick Hammill. In her career she was a nurse technician in a hospital cardiac unit.

Dale passed away at age 54. Suzi was also young, passing at age 65. They are buried together in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, La Crosse.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Christopher Schams
3.2.....Heidi Schams
3.3.....Matthew Schams (+infant)

12.6.....Raymond E. Gerke (*25.02.1917, +27.12.1999 La Crosse WI)
Ray and Veronica C. Kaiser (*10.08.1924 La Crosse WI, +12.05.2002 La Crosse WI) were married on the 9th of July, 1958. Veronica was the daughter of Wenzel and Ida I. Fillner Kaiser.

Ray and Veronica are buried together in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse. We are not aware of children.

12.7.....Edward William Gerke (*01.09.1918, +17.08.1992 Riverside CA)
Like several of his cousins and siblings Ed enlisted in the U.S. Army shortly before Pearl Harbor and the U.S. entry into the Second World War. He was a Private. At the time he was twenty-two years old and single. He had completed two years of high school and was a carpenter by trade.

Ed and Betty Lou Perkins (*27.02.1922 WI, +24.05.1997 Cannon Falls, Goodhue County MN) married. The date of their marriage is not known but probably during the War.

Ed's obituary in the La Crosse Tribune gives the long list of siblings and a few grands. Ed was buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery in La Crosse. It is not known if Betty was as well.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Mark Gerke
Mark and Brenda may live in Long Beach CA.

3.2.....Rosalin Gerke
Rosalin and Keith Rabe live in Waukesha WI.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Thomas Rabe
2.2.....Kathy Rabe

3.3.....Wanda Nadine Gerke (*27.07.1947 Texas, +23.10.2013 Berryville AR)
Wanda married twice. The first was with a man by the name of Amundson, with whom she had four children.

Her second marriage was with James „Jim“ Osterman. Much of the information about Wanda comes from her obituary. She was buried in the St. Ansgar's Lutheran Cemetery in Cannon Falls where she and Jim lived.

Children: (4)
4.1.....Wendy L. Amundson (*13.03.1967)
Wendy and Buddy Anderson married. They have one child and live in Waseca.

Children: (1)
1.1.....Emily Anderson

4.2.....Timothy James Amundson (*24.07.1968)
On the 11th of July, 1998 Tim and Michelle Sue Schield (*02.08.1980) were married. They probably live in Berryville, Arkansas.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Dylan Amundson
Dylan lives in West Bend WI.

2.2.....Skylin Angel Amundson (*06.10.1999 Rice MN)

4.3.....Holly Marie Amundson
Holly and her husband Bill live in Hudson WI.

4.4.....Clayton Edward Amundson (+deceased)


12.8.....Clarence Alvin Gerke (*18.12.1920, +14.01.2008)
Clarence and Marian Sand (*07.05.1921, +14.06.2004) were wed. Marian was the daughter of Sigurd A. and Elinor M. Torgerud Sand.

Clarence enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942.

The obituary of Clarence lists the numerous children, grandchildren and siblings. Clarence and Marian were buried together in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse. They also share a plot with Clarence's brother 12.11 Gilbert and sister-in-law Joyce.

Children: (4)
4.1.....Allen Gerke
Allen's wife is Bernie.

4.2.....Leanne Gerke (*03.01.1949)
John E. Stokes (*07.05.1949) and Leanne married.

4.3.....Richard „Rich“ Gerke
Rich's wife is Janet.

4.4.....Allen Willard Gerke (*13.07.1943, +06.04.1988)
On the 30th of July, 1966 Bernadine H. (*27.07.1945) and Allen Gerke married. Need to try to find the maiden name of Bernadine.

Born during the Second World War, Allen served in the U.S. Navy in the 1960s, the time of the Vietnam War.

Allen passed away in 1988 at the age of forty-five. He was buried in the Onalaska City Cemetery.

Children: (5)
5.1.....Joseph Gerke (*11.07.1967, +11.07.1967)
Joseph died at birth and was buried in 1967, awaiting his father, in the Onalaska City Cemetery.

5.2.....David Gerke
5.3.....Ann Gerke
5.4.....Robert Gerke
5.5.....Cabi Gerke

12.9.....Mildred „Millie“ Gerke (*24.01.1923, +24.06.2014)
Valentine's Day 1953 was the date Millie and Arnold „Butch“ Kaiser (*05.04.1922 Middle Ridge, LaC-Cty WI, +18.10.1987 La Crosse WI) chose to marry. Butch was the son of Wenzel und Ida L. Fillner Kaiser. and a brother of Veronica C. Kaiser who married Mildred’s brother 12.6 Raymond Gerke.

Butch served in the U.S. Army in World War II and was a member of the American Legion, Post 52. By profession he was a truck driver, working for La Crosse Concrete Company for more than thirty years.

Butch passed in 1987 at age sixty-five. Millie survived Butch by twenty-seven years, joining him in Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse.

Children: (4)
4.1.....Karen Ann Kaiser (*23.06.1955)
Karen married Norman Edward Pickering (*31.05.1937 Galesville, Trempealeau County WI, +17.05.2019 La Crosse WI), a man eighteen years her senior. Norman had been previously married to a Barbara Lovig, with whom he was father of three children. But Norman and Barbara then divorced. Karen and Norman had no children, also divorced but remained friends.

Norman had a diverse career: printer, carpenter, cable serviceman, bartender, Wisconsin DOT engineering tech, and finished up as a salesman at Gander Mountain, a sporting goods store. This was a natural fit for Norman and his interests in duck hunting and trapshooting. He was even especially a fan of Elvis and Tony Curtis.

4.2.....LaVern F. „Vern“ Kaiser (*25.11.1956 La Crosse WI, +27.02.2019 La Crosse WI)
Vern Kaiser
Click to enlarge		 Gravestone
Click to enlarge
LaVern and Debra Emilson were married 14 May 1977. They had two children but later divorced.

Vern spent most of his career working for St. Joseph Equipment-Industrial, starting as a diesel mechanic and ultimately Service Manager and Shop Foreman. In his off-time he enjoyed cards, fishing, anything car related, and several other pastimes. Read his obituary for more, including for over fifty years the annual family fishing trip at Birch Point, Bloomer WI. But also enlarge the gravestone. It graphically tells the story.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Jerry Kaiser
2.2.....Nicole Kaiser
Nichole and David Sprawls married.

In the obituary for Vern more grandchildren and great-grandchildren are given: Austin, Alexis, Amelia, and Marie. We do not know at this time how to place them in the tree.

4.3.....Diane Marie Kaiser (*16.03.1959)
In 1980 Diane and Paul Richard Roskres (*1955) were married. Four years later they divorced. Diane then re-married in 1991. Her husband is Tom Gertz (*1953). They were married in Kenosha and have two children.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Jared Gertz
2.2.....Brad Gertz

4.4.....Bruce R. Kaiser (*24.10.1960)
Bruce and Jacqueline „Jackie“ Spedl (*04.05.1956) are married. We are not aware of any children.

12.10.....Carl Bernard Gerke (*12.10.1925 La Crosse WI, +24.06.1962 Novato, Marin County CA)
As soon as he was of legal age Carl enlisted with the U.S. Army Air Corps, the predecessor to the U.S. Air Force which was established as a separate branch of the service after World War II. Carl's enlistment date was 3 February 1944. Three months later was VE-Day, victory in Europe. And 2 September 1945 was VJ-Day, ending the War. He later served in the Reserves.

The following year he and Lola H. „Bonnie“ Kramer (*03.02.1929 Dresbach, Winona County MN, +12.05.2015 La Crosse WI).

Carl passed away in Novato (Marin County CA) as a young man. He was thirty-six years old. Carl was interred in the (Federal) Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, just south of San Francisco.

Bonnie later re-married a man by the name of William J. Shafer. She was later buried in the Onalaska City Cemetery in Wisconsin.

12.11.....Gilbert Richard Gerke (*30.03.1928, +20.08.1999)
Gil and Joyce Erickson (*28.03.1930, +17.04.2000) married. With the exception of their burials, we have no other information about them.

Gil and Joyce were buried in the same plot with Gil's brother 12.8 Clarence and his wife Marian.

12.12.....Dolores Ann Gerke (*09.09.1932 La Crosse WI)
Delores married Charles Frederick "Chazy" Knobloch (*22.02.1926 La Crosse WI, +04.02.1993 La Crosse WI) in about 1950. Chazy was the son of John und Ida Charlotte Hass Knobloch.

Chazy passed away at the age of sixty-six and was interred in the St. Joseph Ridge Catholic Cemetery, LaC-Cty WI.

There are some errors in the dates. Perhaps the birthyears for Timothy and/or Lucy Ann, unless they are twins.

Children: (8)
8.1.....Lucille Knobloch
8.2.....Valerius John Knobloch *06.07.1953)
8.3.....Timothy C. Knobloch (*1955)
Mary Jo Rottman (*1956) married Tim Knobloch on the 27th of June 1980 in La Crosse.

8.4.....George Knobloch
8.5.....Stephan Knobloch
8.6.....Roger Knobloch
8.7.....Lucy Ann Knobloch (*30.07.1955 La Crosse WI, +18.08.1957 La Crosse WI)
8.8.....Lucinda Ann „Cindy“ Knobloch (*16.06.1959 La Crosse WI, +27.01.1999 Black River Falls, Jackson County WI)
Cindy and David Anthony Rozmenoski (*1959) were married on the 17th of October 1981 in La Crosse. David was the son of Arnold and Betty Sims Rozmenoski.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Anthony C. Rozmenoski (*01.10.1982)
3.2.....Adam D. Rozmenoski (*20.02.1985)
3.3.....Alex Rozmenoski

11.8.....Catharina Gerke (*19.08.1886)
11.9.....Emma Katharine Gerke (*09.10.1887, +19.01.1959)
Emma was the ninth of Christina and Nicholas's eleven children. Emma and Charles „Chas“ Edward Stark (*05.08.1885, +12.05.1966 La Crosse) married.

Chas registered for the U.S. Military Draft on 12 September 1918. He and Emma were married at the time. Chas was thirty-three years old, of medium height and build with blue eyes and brown hair. Their farm was on Route 1, Sparta, Monroe County WI, about 25 miles northeast of La Crosse.

Emma and Chas in 1920 then were farming in Burns Township, La Crosse County. The form is not particularly legible and it cannot be determined if they owned the property. Their neighbors included other Starks as well as Gilles. Charles' brother George A. was living with them. Their parents were German emigrants.

Ten years later in 1930 they were still farming, but now in Greenfield Township LaC-Cty on a farm they owned - page 1 and page 2. Their neighbors included families of Bahrs, Clements, and Wuensches.

And lastly in 1940 page 1 and page 2 they were probably on the same farm. They owned the property valued at $1000. They did not report their 1939 income which may not have been required of self-employed farmers. The farm was described as on Highway 33, Route 1, with neighbors including the Muenzenbergers (Edward), Wuensches (George), Breidels, and Roeslers (Martin). Irene, their oldest child, had married and moved out of the family home.

To explore the original Census pages more closely, click on the links in "Live Links" at the bottom of this page. You can also move backwards or forwards to see other adjacent pages and neighbors.

Emma and Chas were interred together in the St. Joseph Ridge Catholic Cemetery.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Irene D. Stark (*10.01.1915 La Crosse WI, +19.05.1981 La Crosse WI)
Irene was married in 1938 to Alois H. Schumacher (*15.05.1916, +22.08.1996), the son of Joseph and Mary Kaiser Schumacher.

Irene and Alois stayed in the same area where Irene had grown up. Irene passed away at the age of sixty-six and was buried in the St. Joseph Ridge Catholic Cemetery. Alois followed Irene fifteen years later and was interred with her.

Children: (8)
8.1.....Judy Schumacher
8.2.....Dianne Schumacher (*1941)
Dianne and Clarence R. Pogreba (*16.08.1941 Whitehall WI, +24.02.2006 La Crosse WI) married. "Pogy" served in the U.S.Navy in Vietnam. He passed away at the age of sixty-four and was buried in the St. Joseph Ridge Catholic Cemetery.

8.3.....Dennis C. Schumacher (*09.02.1943 La Crosse, +31.07.1991 WI)
Margie E. Brosinksi (*1946) married Dennis on 9 July 1966. Dennis's obituary in the La Crosse newspaper lists his numberous relatives. Dennis was buried in the St. Joseph Ridge Catholic Cemetery.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Suzie E. Schumacher
Suzie married Aaron Bendel.

Children: (1)
1.1.....Austin Bendel

2.2.....Scott Schumacher


8.4.....Joan Schumacher
Joan and Douglas Schroeder married.

8.5.....Doris Schumacher
Doris was wed to Don Pogreba.

8.6.....Janine Schumacher
Dennis Stancil married Janine Schumacher.

8.7.....Donna Schumach
Donna married Steve Crogan.

8.8.....James Schumacher
James's wife is Shirley.

3.2.....Francis F. Stark (*31.05.1918 Sparta WI, +05.09.1998 La Crosse WI)
Francis and Ann Marie Walsh (*23.10.1922, +27.12.2010 La Crosse WI) married.

They are interred together in the St. Joseph Ridge Catholic Cemetery

Children: (2)
2.1.....Duane Stark
Duane's wife is Mary Ann.

2.2.....Dave Stark
Dave and Debbie married.

3.3.....Cletus Charles Stark (*11.05.1926, +20.10.2006)
Cletus and Genevieve Walsh (*11.07.1927 WI, +09.11.2011 West Salem WI) were married 30 October 1946. Brothers married sisters. Genevieve's sister Ann Marie married 3.2 Francis Stark. The parents of Genevieve and Ann Marie were Thomas and Theresa Conley Walsh.

Cletus and Genevieve were buried together in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse. The obituary of Genevieve in the La Crosse Tribune presents the family.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Nancy Stark
Nancy and Ronald Miller married.

3.2.....Joanne Stark
Joanne and Donald Miller married.

3.3.....Michelle Stark
Michelle Stark and Robert Kotek married.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Mathew Kotek
2.2.....Adam Kotek

But the obituary identifies another twelve descendants and in-laws who cannot be allocated to a specific family: Donald Jr, Cindy, Lynda and Tom Granstrom, Robert and Michelle Miller, Michael Miller, Karen and Robert Ginther and seven great-grandchildren - Emily, Stephanie, Brianna, Courtney, Kyle, Christopher, and Abigail.

11.10.....Sophia Maria Gerke (*24.02.1889 La Crosse WI, +Jan 1978 La Crosse WI)
Sophia married Richard Klos (*18.09.1879 West Salem, La Crosse County, WI, +26.08.1964 La Crosse WI), brother of Alfred Klos above who married 6.1 Anna M. Kirschner (*1901), and the son of John and Catherine Schmidt Klos.

In 1930 Sophia and Richard were living at 2117 State Street in La Crosse City in a home which they owned valued at $5800. Living with them was 11.6 Margaret Gerke (*1883), Sophia's sister. Richard was enumerated as a "grain thrasher" by occupation.

Ten years later in the 1940 Census Richard is a laborer, having earned $1500 and working every week of 1939. This was fairly average earnings for those in 1939. Sophia did not work. They continued living in their home on State Street.

Sophia passed away fourteen years after Richard. They are buried together in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse.

11.11.....Peter Frederic Gerke (*28.08.1891, +13.10.1977)
In 1914, the year the First World War began in Europe, Peter and Emma Mary Jungen (*01.04.1890 La Crosse WI, +08.01.1988 Onalaska, La Crosse County, WI) were married. Three years later, when the United States entered the conflict, Peter registered for the Draft. He was twenty-five years old, married with two children. Also tall and slender with blue eyes and dark hair. His occupation is undiscernable but he says self-employed. They lived on Route #1 in Rockland.

Three years later at the time of the 1920 Census the Gerkes were farming in Greenfield Township. Emma's parents, John and Mary Jungen, were living with the Gerkes. John Jungen was an emigrant from Luxembourg. Some of the Gerkes neighbor farms were those of the Bahrs (George and William), the Wuensches (Edwin), and the Muenzenbergers (Edward).

Use the "Live Links" section at the bottom of this page to view the full original pages and also the prior or following pages.

In the 1930 Census the location is given as State Highway 33, #106, which they owned. They had four children, ages 14 down to 4 years. More of their neighbors were the Starks, Servais and the Clements (Nick).

By 1940 Alvira had moved out and become married. The three sons, ages 23, 17 and 14 were still all at home. Leroy, however was working as a construction laborer. Alois worked on the farm.

Peter passed in 1977 and was buried in the St. Joseph Ridge Catholic Cemetery. Emma died eleven years later, at the age of ninety-seven, and joined him.

Children: (4)
4.1.....Alvira Sophia Gerke (*29.06.1915 LaC-Cty WI, +29.04.1953 WI)
Alvira married Albert Carl Biesen (*05.10.1909 La Crosse County WI, +21.09.1995 California). They began immediately to raise their family. Alvira was nineteen when their son Norbert was born.

In 1940 they were living in La Crosse City, renting a home for $15 per month at 1523 Denton Street. Albert was a truck driver for the County Highway Department, working full time in 1939 and earning $1300. They had two sons and two daughters, ages six years to less than one.

Alvira died young, at the age of thirty-eight! She was buried in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse. Albert followed forty-two years later and was buried with her.

Children: (8)
8.1.....Norbert Biesen (*1934)
8.2.....Ronald Nicholas Biesen (*22.05.1936 WI, +22.08.1987 Mesa, Maricopa AZ)
Ron's wife was Virginia. His profession was a tool and die maker, working for Auer Precision in Mesa, Arizona.

His obituary was published in the Arizona Republic.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Loranda Biesen
Loranda's married name is Harp.

3.2.....Kristine Biesen
3.3.....Daniel Biesen

8.3.....Beatrice E. Biesen (*1938, +2020)
Dick Gilles
Beatrice married Richard J. "Dick" Gilles (*12.07.1934 La Crosse WI, +30.04.2020 La Crosse WI), the son of William Louis and Elizabeth Dorothy Spika Gilles.

Beatrice and Dick both passed away in early 2020. They were in their eighties. They are buried together at the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse.

8.4.....Marilyn Biesen (*1940)
Marilyn's married name is Trainor.

8.5.....Gerald Joseph Biesen (*14.03.1942 La Crosse WI, +22.04.1983 La Crosse WI)
Gerald passed away at the age of forty-one. To our knowledge he did not marry. He was interred in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse.

8.6.....Lyle William Biesen (*28.03.1946, +08.12.2004 Mesa, Maricopa AZ)
Lyle was a Spec 5 in the U.S.Army in Vietnam. He married Connie Bitner. They were the proud parents of two children, Shanin and Corina.

Lyle died at the age of fifty-eight. We have his obituary from the La Crosse Tribune. He was interred in the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix. His photograph from FindAGrave appears to be from an earlier time in his life.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Shanin Lyle Biesen (*04.08.1972)
Shanin's marriage partner is Carina Isabella Valo. They live in San Diego CA.

2.2.....Corina Camiel Biesen (*05.08.1973)

8.7.....Carol M Biesen
Carol and Larry Kronklau married.

8.8.....Rita Ann Biesen (*13.09.1950)
Rita Biesen and Roger Bradley married.

4.2.....LeRoy F. Gerke (*06.03.1917 LaC-Cty WI, +10.03.2006 La Crosse WI)
In the 1940 Census LeRoy was enumerated as single, age twenty-three and living in the family home. He was, however, working in construction as a laborer and had earned $550 working 42 weeks of 1939.

Later in 1940 LeRoy and Virginia Kathryn Marx (*06.01.1920 Cashton, Monroe County WI, +03.09.2011 La Crosse WI) were married in La Crosse. The date was 24 September 1940. Virginia was the daughter of Nicholas and Frances Von Ruden Marx. LeRoy and Virginia farmed on St. Joseph Ridge. When they retired they moved to La Crosse City.

LeRoy and Virginia lived a long life together. He passed away at age eighty-nine, Virginia at ninety-one. They are interred together at Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse.

Children: (8)
8.1.....David Gerke
David and Betty married.

8.2.....Jeanne Gerke
Jeanne and Jack Schaller married.

8.3.....James Gerke
James and Kathleen married.

8.4.....Duane Gerke
Duane and Diane married.

8.5.....Allen Gerke
Allen and Patricia married.

8.6.....Lois Gerke
Lois and Martin married.

8.7.....Beverly Gerke (*29.06.1952)
Beverly and Rodney Kadrmas (*24.09.1949) married.

8.8.....Diane Gerke
Diane and Richard Bey married.

4.3.....Alois W. Gerke (*20.05.1922 St. Joseph’s Ridge, LaC-Cty WI, +27.02.2004 La Crosse WI)
On the last day of April 1947 in the St. Joseph Ridge Catholic Church, Alois and Dolores M. Dwyer (*24.01.1923 Coon Valley, +11.06.2012 WI) were married.

They too led full lives in La Crosse County. Alois died at age eighty-one and Dolores at eighty-nine. They are interred together at St. Joseph Ridge Catholic Cemetery.

Children: (4)
4.1.....Dennis Gerke
Dennis and his wife, the former Patricia Meyers, live on St. Joseph Ridge.

4.2.....Janice Gerke
Janice married into the Muenzenberger family, taking Donald Muenzenberger as her husband. We still need to determine from which branch Don hangs.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Elizabeth Muenzenberger
2.2.....Jessica Muenzenberger

4.3.....Michael Gerke
Michael and his partner Patricia Evans live in Bangor.

4.4.....Linda Gerke (*1961, +1961)

There are additional family members in the obituary of Alois whom we do not know where to place in the tree.

4.4.....William Peter „Bill“ Gerke (*22.12.1925 Greenfield, LaC-Cty WI, +04.12.1989 La Crosse WI)
Bill Gerke served in the U.S.Army as a Corporal in Korea. He married years later, at the age of forty-five. The wedding of Bill and Eunice M. Schaller (*20.08.1922 Hillsboro, Vernon County WI, +26.01.2007 Bangor, La Crosse County WI) was on 16 July 1971.

Eunice had been previously married, a marriage in which she bore two children.

Eunice and Bill are buried together in the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Bangor.

11.2.....John Clements (*05.01.1859, +07.07.1935 [1])
John and Catharina "Katie" Schmitt (*20.03.1861, +August 1944) were married on 14 April 1885. Catharine was the daughter of John and Maria Prin Schmitt.

The original Census pages contain more information than the transcribed summary pages. Many original pages are available at the bottom of this page in "Live Links".

As can be seen in the 1900 Census, John and Katie owned a farm next to John's mother Christina, a widow. Also in 1900 their niece Clara Schmitt, age two months, was living with them.

John and Katie are then enumerated in every Census through 1940. In 1905 and its second page they are farming in Greenfield Town on the same property as in 1900. It more clearly shows that their neighbor farmers were John's brothers 11.5 George (*1864) and 11.9 Peter (*1973).

By 1910 their oldest child Christina had married and moved out. Their daughter Mary had died at the age of nineteen. Son Nick, age 20, lived at home and worked on the farm. In the next several years John and Katie retired from the farm, moving into La Crosse City in a home at 1014 Mississippi South as can be seen in 1920. In 1930 they remained there.

John passed away in 1935 at the age of seventy-six and was buried in the Saint Joseph Ridge Catholic Cemetery.

Katie remained in the home alone as seen in the 1940 Census. She passed away in 1944 and was buried with John.

Children: (4)
4.1.....Christina Clements (*28.02.1886 Greenfield LaC-Cty, +22.06.1952)
Headstone for Christina and Peter
Christina married Peter Hansen (*01.01.1880 Greenfield LaC-Cty, +28.07.1959), the son of Michael and Mary Jung Hansen. The ceremony was in Greenfield on 22 May 1906.

They bought farmland in Greenfield along the road which later became Highway 33. In 1910 they had been married four years and were well on their way to having a large family. Their first three children were ages 3, 2 and 0. These were the first of ultimately fifteen children whom Christina would bear. Their neighbors were the Hesses, Wuensches, Schams and Servais, families which appear frequently in many of the branches of the Münzenberger Tree.

In the 1920 Census Peter's mother Mary Hansen is living with them and probably helping with the kids. There were seven children in the home but another three had died. The farm was owned free and clear, whereas many of the other farms in the area were mortgaged.

By 1930 Christina had borne all fifteen of their children. Four of them had died before their first birthdays and the other at age three! Their daughter Gertrude was married and out of the family home. Nine children remained in the house, together with a boarder who taught in a nearby school.

Ten years later Peter was sixty. His younger brother Nick, age fifty-eight and single, was living with them and working on the farm. Three of their children were still in the home, ages eighteen, sixteen and twelve.

Christina died in 1952 at the age of sixty-six. She was buried in the Saint Joseph Ridge Catholic Cemetery. Peter followed her seven years later and was laid to rest with her.

Children: (15)
15.1.....Irvin Michael Hansen (*04.03.1907 Greenfield LaC-Cty, +08.01. 1946)
In the 1930 Census Irvin was single, living at home and working as contractor in a stone quarry.

Irvin married Martha Geneva (*07.12.1905, +27.09.1997). Their photograph is on his FindAGrave page. They may have had a granddaughter Lisa.

Irvin died at the age of thirty-eight and was buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery in La Crosse.

15.2.....William „Willie“ John Hansen (*23.03.1908, +06.06.1911)
Willie passed away soon after his third birthday.

15.3.....Gertrude M. „Gert“ Hansen (*18.04.1910 La Crosse County, +02.02.2002 West Salem WI)
Gert and Theodore Kneifl (*31.10.1902, +09.06.1988) were married on 28 May 1929 in the St. Joseph Catholic Church on St. Joseph Ridge. Theodore was the son of Thomas and Mary Palmer Kneifl,

Note: Four of the seven children of Thomas and Mary Kneifl married into the Muenzenberger-Clements-Family! But more on this later.

Theodore and Gert farmed on his family's farm until 1967. They then retired and moved to West Salem. There Gert was very active in the St. Leo Catholic Church where she was a custodian, member of the choir, served on the altar society and the funeral committee. She also volunteered at a senior center. Her obituary gives her life in more detail.

Gert passed away in 2002 and was buried in the St. Joseph Ridge Catholic Cemetery in St. Joseph. She was buried with Theodore, who had died fourteen years earlier.

Children: (7)
7.1.....Donald T. Kneifl (*01.11.1930)
Donald and Lucille M. Briggeman (*29.09.1937), the daughter of Theodore and Helen Elizabeth Briggeman, married.

7.2.....Gerald P. Kneifl (*23.09.1932)
Gerald and his wife Darlene lived on St. Joseph Ridge.

7.3.....James Kneifl
James lived on St. Joseph Ridge, LaC-Cty.

7.4.....Daniel Kneifl
Daniel and his wife Barbara live in Scottsdale, Arizona.

7.5.....Duane Kneifl
Duane and his wife Peggy live in West Salem WI.

7.6.....Darlene Kneifl
Darlene married Jim Wilson. They live in Pacific Palisades CA.

7.7.....Denise Kneifl
Denise married Ike Makinson. They live in Couer d'Alene ID.

From various obituaries and other records we know there were nineteen grandchildren and twenty-four great-grandchildren of Gert and Theodore who remain unidentified.

15.4.....Marie Hansen (*09.07.1911, +07.02.1912)
Marie died at the age of seven months.

15.5.....Joseph John Hansen (*1913, +1961)
The 1940 Census shows Joseph and his wife Alice C. Mitchell (*16.02.1915, +27.02.1984 La Crosse) owning a home next to Joseph parents on Highway 33. It is probable that he bought a small parcel from his parents. Joseph was working for the County highway department. In 1939 he worked fifty-two weeks, earning $1030. Their son Kenneth is four years old.

They are buried together in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse. Joseph died at the age of forty-eight, Alice at sixty-nine.

Children: (1)
1.1.....Kenneth J. Hansen (*1936)


15.6.....Matilda E. Hansen (*01.06.1914 St. Joseph Ridge, LaC-Cty, +14.05.2004 Coon Valley, LaC-Cty)
Headstone of Otto and Matilda Horman
Click to enlarge
Matilda and Otto E. Horman (*20.10.1911, +19.01.1974 La Crosse) married. Otto was an immigrant, although the records do not indicate from which country. He was naturalized in 1938 in the Circuit Court in La Crosse.

Children: (4)
4.1.....Carol Jean Horman (*1940)
Carol married Eddie Artur Lunde (*1936) on 28 October 1995 in Vernon WI.

4.2.....Connie Horman
Connie married Mike Evenstad.

4.3.....Calvin Horman
Calvin's wife is Adeline.

4.4.....Curtis Horman
Curtis's wife is Vicky.

15.7.....Peter Nicholas Hansen (*09.11.1915 Greenfield, LaC-Cty, +26.12.1978 La Crosse)
On 17 May 1938 in La Crosse Peter and Elva Mary Stahl (*06.06.1918 La Crosse, +19.04.2007 Onalaska, LaC-Cty) were married. Elva's parents were Jacob and Edna Hass Stahl.

Peter passed away in 1978 at the age of sixty-three and was buried in the Mormon Coulee Memorial Park in La Crosse. Elva lived to be eighty-eight, passing in 2007. She joined Peter in the Memorial Park.

Children: (1)
1.1.....Marilyn Christine Hansen (*16.02.1942 La Crosse, +19.10.2017 La Crosse)
On 10 June 1961 Paul A. Beranek (*07.06.1940) were wed, three days after Paul's twenty-first birthday. We believe Marilyn and Paul had children and grandchildren but do not know their names,

Marilyn passed away in 2017 at the age of seventy-five and was buried in the Mount Calvary Cemetery in Hokah, Houston County MN.

15.8.....Madeline F. Hansen (*04.12.1916 WI, +12.03.1999 La Crosse)
Maurice V. Running (*03.09.1913 WI, +18.04.1984) and Madeline married. In 1940 they were farming in Christiana Town, Vernon County WI. Their first two children, both sons, were two and less than one year old. Another farm worker was living with them. They owned their farm, valued in the Census at $2500. They reported that in 1935 they had been living in La Crosse.

Maurice and Madeline are buried in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Cashton, Monroe County WI.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Roger Running (*1938)
3.2.....Marlow P. Running (*22.03.1940)
3.3.....Richard Running


15.9.....Philipp Hansen (*30.05.1918, +03.06.1918)
Philipp died when he was one week old.

15.10.....Irene Ann Hansen (*29.07.1919 St. Joseph Ridge, LaC-Cty, +18.03.2001 WI)
Irene and Joseph Tooley (*05.08.1921 Cataract WI, +03.11.2002) married.

Irene passed away 18 March 2001 and was buried in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse. Joseph joined her eighteen months later.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Sharon Tooley
Sharon married Charles Hartung. In the early 2000s they lived in Black River Falls WI.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Kristie Hartung
3.2.....Kari Hartung
3.3.....Kelly Hartung

2.2.....Daniel Tooley
Daniel and Linda married. They live in Wausau WI.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Todd Tooley
2.2.....Shannon Tooley
Sharon and Mark Peterson married.

15.11.....Margaret A. Hansen (*08.05.1921, +30.08.2001)
Raymond J. Witt (*15.03.1920, +31.03.1963 La Crosse) and Margaret married. Previously, in the Second World War, Raymond had been a Private in the 52nd Armored Infantry Regiment. Raymond and Margaret had three children, all sons. Raymond passed away at the age of forty-three in 1963. He was the son of Emil and Kathryn Johnston Witt. He was buried in the military Section 022 of the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse.

Margaret was re-married in 1978 to Patrick Francis Murphy (+23.05.1919 Livingston Park MT, +29.11.1999 La Crosse).

Patrick passed away in 1999 and was interred in the Mormon Coulee Memorial Park in La Crosse. Margaret passed away two years later. She was buried in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse, Section 25.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Gary Witt
Gary's wife is Rita.

3.2.....James Witt
3.3.....Kevin Witt

15.12.....Emma Florence Hansen (*15.07.1922, +26.12.1922)
Emma died the day after Christmas, 1922. She was five months old.

15.13.....Bernard „Bernie“ F. Hansen (*26.02.1924 St. Joseph Ridge, LaC-Cty, +15.09.2011 LaC-Cty)
Bernie and Charlene E. Olson (*24.07.1927, +04.05.2018 La Crosse), the daughter of Hartman and Majorie Olson, married.

Charlene Hansen (*1927)
Click to enlarge
Children: (1)
1.1.....Judith A. Hansen (*14.09.1945)
Delbert H. Embke (*09.10.1945) and Judith married. They live in Merrillian, Jackson County WI.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Catherine Marie Embke (*30.06.1966)
On 23 June 1989 in Jackson, WI Bradley Jay Morgan (*1971) and Catherine Embke were married.

3.2.....Cheryl Embke
Cheryl and David Rozmenoski married.

3.3.....Roger Delbert Embke (*1967)
Roger and Christy Lynn Miller (*1972) were married on 16 August 1997 in La Crosse.

15.14.....Caroline Catherine Hansen (*17.06.1925, +22.06.1925)
Caroline died when she was five days old.

15.15.....Delores Clara Hansen (*22.11.1927 LaC-Cty, +28.10.2007 UT)
Delores and Burton Mahlum
"Mama Dee" as she was affectionately called and Burton Mahlum (*31.05.1925 Holmen WI, +18.08.1994) were married 29 April 1947. As seen in her obituary she was active, enjoying her church, bowling, dancing, card playing and other pasttimes.

Somewhere along the way Burton and Delores moved to the state of Utah. It appears that the date was probably in the early to mid-1960's, as their son Michael is reported to have died at less than a year old in Salt Lake City.

Burton passed away in 1994 and was interred in Valley View Memorial Park, West Valley City, Salt Lake County, Utah. Delores joined him thirteen years later.

Children: (6)
6.1.....Gene F. Mahlum (*15.07.1947)
Gene and Deborah A. McCarthy (*26.04.1953) married.

6.2.....Leon W. Mahlum (*24.06.1948)
Leon and Barbara Lee Robson (*16.05.1948) were married in 1968. The ceremony was on 23 February in Salt Lake City.

6.3.....Neil L. Mahlum (*01.09.1954)
Neil and Terry Johnson (*20.05.1953) were married on the twenty-first of March 1979 in Elko, Nevada. Or at least that is the date of the "marriage registration".

6.4.....Jo Lynn Marie Mahlum
Edward Dee Chatterton (*15.06.1958) married Jo Lynn on 28 January 1983 in Salt Lake City. Edward was the son of Dee and Marie Chatterton.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Aubrey Chatterton (*01.12.1986, +17.09.2007)
Aubrey Chatterton
Aubrey died short of her twenty-first birthday. She was buried in the Valley View Memorial Park, West Valley City UT.

2.2.....Bryson Chatterton

6.5.....Lori Ann Mahlum (*11.04.1964)
This might get a little tricky. But it appears that Lori may have married a man by the name of Rich Richinson (*13.05.1962 Salt Lake City UT, +01.11.2009 Las Vegas NV). There is a common phone number between Lori and Rich, who was a landscape designer by profession. But the multiple surnames for Rich make the story somewhat confusing.

6.6.....Michael Lynn Mahlum (*1965, +26.06.1966 Salt Lake City UT)
Michael died before his first birthday and was buried back in Wisconsin in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse.

From the obituary of Mama Dee there were eleven grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren who are unidentified in this story.

4.2.....Mary L. Clements (*21.06.1887 St. Joseph Ridge, LaC-Cty, +08.02.1907 St. Joseph Ridge, LaC-Cty)
Mary died of Bright's disease. She was nineteen years old.

4.3.....Nicholas „Nick“ John Clements (*25.07.1889 Greenfield, LaC-Cty, +1965)
Nick and Mary M. "Marie" Weiker (*14.06.1892 La Crosse, +30.01.1975 La Crosse) married.  [1] The ceremony was on 21 May 1912 as seen on their gravestone. They lived in Greenfield Township on St. Joseph Ridge. Marie was the daughter of Joseph and Magdalena Wasmeier Weiker.

Five years later Nick registered for the military draft for World War I. The registrar was William Schams, another family name occuring multiple times in this story.

The 1920 Census is a challenge to read. Nick is enumerated on Line 10. They owned their farm but with a mortgage. They had been married eight years and had three children in 1920. There were two Clements cousins living with them: Josephine, age 16, who probably helped around the house and with the kids; and Arthur, age 21, who worked for Nick on the farm.

Note: if one would like to see the full original Census pages for Nick (and many others in this Story), go to "Live Links" at the bottom of this page,

The following federal census, taken in 1930, provides the names of streets and roads. Nick and his family, still on their farm, live on "Clements Road". Another datapoint in the Census was whether the family had a "radio set" or not, the new communications device. Nick had a radio set. None of the neighbors did. Their two oldest sons, Elmer and Sylvester, were working on the farm. In all there were six children.

In 1940 the address of the farm was given as "Route I, La Crosse". On the rows above Nick and Marie is Sylvester, their son with his family. Apparently Sylvester had bought part of Nick's farm and was also farming. Enumerated immediately after Nick in the Census is Alois Clements (*1906), the son of 11.9 Peter Clements and a first cousin of Nick's.

Children: (6)
6.1.....Elmer J. Clements (*1913, +1989)
Elmer and Gladys Clements
Click to enlarge
Elmer, the first born of the children of Nick and Marie, married Gladys L. Engebretson (*1916, +23.07.2008), the daughter of Edwin Carl and Othelia Lewis Engebretson.

They had no children of whom we are aware.

Elmer passed away in 1989 at the age of 75. He was interred in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park, La Crosse. Gladys died nineteen years later and was interred with Elmer.

6.2.....Sylvester J. Clements (*1915, +1974)
Serena E Hohlfeld (*27.12.1916 Vernon County WI, +09.02.2010 La Crosse WI) married. Serena was the daughter of Gustav and 10.1 Mary Muenzenberger (1876–1958) (the daughter of 11.9 Philipp and Veronica Muenzenberger) Hohlfeld.

There are conflicting data about Serena. Her gravestone spells her family name as "Hohfeld". Yet other records for her and her family spell it "Hohlfeld", which we believe to be correct. Then there is the issue of her death. The gravestone indicates 2010, which is confirmed by her obituary. Yet the FindAGrave page says 1974 ("Tod"), which we believe is wrong. 1974 was correct for Sylvester.

The 1940 Census, as mentioned above, shows Sylvester and Serena owning their farm presumably next to Sylvester's parents, Elmer and Gladys. At least they are enumerated one after the other in the Census. Sylvester and Gladys have both completed the eighth grade of schooling. Only a single person on the Census page had more than eighth grade.

Sylvester and Serena are buried together in the Saint Joseph Ridge Catholic Cemetery, LaC-Cty. Serena passed away thirty-six years after Sylvester.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Sylvester G. Clements (*01.05.1936)
Sylvester G. led a diverse and interesting life. His early years were as a "dairy farmer, truck driver, and businessman". He was active in the community, serving on the County Board of Supervisors. This then led to a successful run for the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1984. He was defeated in 1986 for re-election. He finished his public service on the West Salem School Board. You can read more about Sylvester on his Wikpedia page.

3.2.....Wilfred N. Clements (*06.03.1938)
3.3.....Dale Clements (*after 1940)

6.3.....Eleanora T Clements (*1917, +23.09.1969)
Eleanora and Adolph E. Kneifl (*30.04.1911 St. Joseph Ridge, +27.07.1978) married. Adolph was the son of Thomas and Mary Palmer Kneifl.

Four of the seven children of Thomas and Mary Kneifl married Wolfgang Münzenberger (*1802) descendants!

Adolph and Eleanora farmed in Washington Township, La Crosse County. They owned the farm on County Trunk I (road) without a mortgage in 1940. Eleanora was twenty-two years old and the mother of four at the time of the Census. The children were four, three, one and an infant daughter. A boarder, it looks like the name was "Charles Peppenhagen", worked on the farm with Adolph.

Eleanora died suddenly at the age of fifty-one in 1969. Adolph passed away nine years later. They are buried together in St. Joseph Ridge Catholic Cemetery.

Children: (10)
10.1.....Melvin N. Kneifl (*12.03.1936 Houston MN, +13.10.1982 La Crosse)
We know little of Melvin and his wife Judith "Judy" A. (*15.09.1941, +17.06.2003). From Melvin's mother's obituary we see they were living in Lacrosse in 1969. From Judy's gravestone it suggests they had children and grandchildren: "... Mother and Grandma". They both died young, Melvin at age forty-six and Judy at sixty-two. Melvin was buried on Saint Joseph Ridge in the Catholic Cemetery in 1982. Judith was buried twenty-one years later in La Crosse in the Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery.

10.2.....Ronald M. „Sparky“ Kneifl (*23.05.1937 St. Joseph’s Ridge LaC-Cty, +21.06.2001 LaC-Cty)
Ronald "Sparky" Kneifel and Carol Diane Gilboe (*05.04.1943 La Crosse, +18.11.2016 La Crosse) married on 28 September 1963. Carol was the daughter of Harry and Florence Grandall Gilboe. Sparky and Carol had five children.

Carol passed away at the age of seventy-three, after battling Alzheimers. In her obituary she was remembered as being kind and loving, actively involved in the St. James Catholic Church, and being very involved with her grandchildren. They were buried together in the Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in La Crosse. Sparky had passed fifteen years earlier.

Children: (5)
5.1.....Alan Adolph Kneifl (*1965)
Alan and Julie Ann Louis Cronk (*1963) were married on 6 April 1982 in La Crosse.

5.2.....David Kneifl
5.3.....Dennis Kneifl
5.4.....Christine Mary Kneifl (*1965)
Christine and David John Jacobs (*1961) married. The ceremony was on 11 May 1991 in La Crosse. They later moved to Dakota, Minnesota. But it is not clear whether this is Dakota County (near St. Paul) or the town of Dakota (a small commumity across the Mississippi River from La Crosse).

Children: (3)
3.1.....Miranda Jacobs
3.2.....Rebecca Jacobs
3.3.....Connor David Jacobs (*28.02.2000 Dakota MN)

5.5.....Lisa Kneifl
Lisa and Arteil Stovey married.

There are several more grandchildren and great-grandchildren mentioned (but not named) in the obituary of Carol Kneifl.

10.3.....Cletus Thomas Kneifl (*07.09.1938, +11.10.1994)
On 8 October 1960 in Winona MN Cletus and Verna Mathilda Esselman (*09.1938) were married. Verna was the daughter of William and Anna Margaret Thesing Esselman. As seen above in the obituary of Cletus's mother, Cletus and Verna lived in La Crescent MN, just across the Mississippi River from La Crosse.

They were buried in the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in New Hartford, Winona County MN.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Cheryl Kneifl
Cheryl married Steven Jansen.

3.2.....Amy Kneifl
3.3.....Timothy C Kneifl

10.4.....Eldoris A. Kneifl (*04.11.1939 St. Joseph Ridge LaC-Cty, +22.06.2014 La Crosse County)
Donald D. Perso (*20.10.1937) and Eldoris married on 15 June 1974 in the St. Joseph Ridge Catholic Church. Eldoris and Don lived in Bangor in La Crosse County. She loved spending time with her nieces and nephews. They enjoyed trips to Las Vegas and fishing up north, playing cards and various sports.

Eldoris was interred in the Fairview Cemetery in Bangor.

10.5.....Marlene S. Kneifl (*21.01.1942)
Based upon the obituary of her sister Eldoris, Marlene did not marry. She lived in West Salem. She is to be buried in Saint Joseph Ridge Catholic Cemetery.

10.6.....Harvey Theodore Kneifl (*25.06.1946)
The story of Harvey is a tragedy. He married a woman by the name of Julie Ann (*11.12.1946, +30.01.2019). They lived at various times in Eau Claire WI, Lino Lakes MN, West Bloomfield MI, and Brookfield, Waukesha County WI.

In 2019 he was convicted of molesting young children when he was working as a school bus driver. He was also convicted of killing his wife who suffered from Alzheimer’s. His plea was that it had been a "mercy killing", as there would be nobody to look out for her when he went to prison.

10.7.....Sharon Kneifl (*1953)
Sharon and Larry Stark (*1950) married. The wedding was on 20 April 1974 in La Crosse.

10.8.....Thomas „Tom“ Adolph Kneifl (*21.04.1954 La Crosse, +03.08.2017 West Salem, LaC-Cty)
Tom and Sue Kirchner (*1956) married in La Crosse. The ceremony was on 27 September 1975.

Tom passed away in 2017 at the age of sixty-three and was buried in the Catholic Cemetery on St. Joseph Ridge.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Shaun T. Kneifl (*08.11.1977)
Shaun's partner is Lory Long.

2.2.....Stephanie L. Kneifl (*13.05.1980)
Chad E. Gensler (*16.12.1977) and Stephanie married. They lived in Oshkosh, Winnebago County WI.

In the obituary of Tom, there were six unnamed grandchildren.

10.9.....Nicholas L. Kneifl (*25.02.1956)
Nick was married on 24 September 1977 to Paula S. Servais (*28.01.1958). The ceremony was in La Crosse. They lived in Coon Valley and later in Holmen, La Crosse County WI.

10.10.....Luella Mary Kneifl (*1960)
Luella married Lonnie Greeno (*30.11.1953) on 24 February 1979 in La Crosse.

6.4.....Herbert P. Clements (*30.06.1921 St. Joseph Ridge, LaC-Cty, +05.10.2004 WI)
We have no knowledge of Herbert marrying.

6.5.....Evelyn K. Clements (*29.12.1923 La Crosse, +19.08.2018 La Crosse)
In 2018 Evelyn was interred with Willard who had passed twenty-one years earlier
Click to enlarge
Evelyn and Willard P. Werner (*28.09.1912, +16.04.1997) married on 24 June 1944 on St. Joseph Ridge. At the time of her passing at the age of ninety-five Evelyn was survived by their daughter and sons plus "ten grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, nineteen step-great-grandchildren, and one great-great-step-grandchild"!!

Evelyn and Willard were buried in the Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in La Crosse.

Children: (5)
5.1.....Diane Werner
Diane and Michael Ray married.

5.2.....David Werner
David's wife is Linda.

5.3.....Gary Werner
Gary's wife is also Linda.

5.4.....Roger Werner
Roger is married to Deborah.

5.5.....Gerald Werner
Gerald's wife is Alana.

6.6.....Angeline E. „Angie“ Clements (*1927, +30.04.2002)
On 19 September 1950 Angie and Vernon S. "Paul" Anderson (*10.12.1927, +15.09.2013) married. Paul was the son of Clarence and Lillie Quail Anderson.

Paul worked for many years for Allis Chalmers, then later from La Crosse Steel and Roofing. They lived in Holmen. Paul enjoyed family, cards, gardening and tinkering, among other things.

Angie and Vernon were entombed in the Garden of Peace Mausoleum in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park, La Crosse.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Steven Anderson
2.2.....Dennis Anderson

4.4.....Margaret „Maggie“ Clements (*21.12.1890, +02.02.1943 La Crosse)
Margaret and Carl "Charles" Tauscher (*1884, +1928) married and lived in La Crosse. [1]. Although almost all the historical records refer to him as Carl, not Charles. The wedding was on 24 May 1910 in La Crosse. Two weeks before the wedding, as recorded in the 1910 Census, Carl was renting a residence next door to the John Clements (*1859), Maggies's father, in Greenfield Township. Maggie was nineteen years old and living with her family. Future father-in-law John was a farmer, owning his own property. Carl was also working on a farm, perhaps the farm of John Clements. Living with Carl was his sister Sarah. While we have no information, it is likely that the parents of Carl and Sarah had passed away and that is why Sarah, age thirteen, was living with Carl.

In September 1918 Carl registered for the Military Draft, as the U.S. had entered World War I in the prior year. He was a farmer. He gave his birth date as 3 September 1888, not 1884 as shown above.

The Tauschers were enumerated in the 1920 Federal Census. Carl is thirty-five years old and owns their farm in Greenfield Township. He and Maggie have three children: Oscar, Gertrude and Arnold. The neighboring farms are owned by Nick Clements Jr. (30 years old), Peter Clements (46) and Frank Clements (26). All this can be seen in the Live Links section at the bottom of this page.

Also enumerated with the Tauschers in the 1920 Census is an Ernest Sanderson, seventeen years old and indicated to be a foster-child. He was working on the farm.

Carl passed away in 1928 and was buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery in La Crosse. He was thirty-three years of age!

In 1940 Maggie was enumerated as a widow living at 1224 Mississippi Street in La Crosse. There was no one else living at that address. She was working as a housekeeper for a "private family". In 1939 she had worked every week and earned $260 or $5 per week.

Maggie followed Carl in death in 1943. She was forty-nine. It is assumed that she too was buried in Oak Grove, although no record has been found.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Oscar John Tauscher (*17.05.1914, +18.04.1989)
Oscar and Olga Tauscher
Click to enlarge
Oscar and Olga M. (*1919, +11.1965) married. Olga passed away at the age of forty-five in 1965, Oscar at seventy-four in 1989. They were buried in the Mormon Coulee Memorial Park in La Crosse.

3.2.....Gertrude Tauscher (*1917)
St. Michael's Orphanage, La Crosse
Click to enlarge
Assuming we have accurately discovered the history of the Tauscher family, the story becomes very unusual at this point. Gertrude is enumerated in the 1930 Census with her younger brother Arnold. Gertrude is thirteen, Arnold eleven. They are living ("inmates") in the St. Michaels Orphanage in La Crosse! Their father Carl had died two years before. Their mother Maggie is still living -- as seen above she is in the 1940 Census and a widow. Apparently she was not able to maintain a home and have her two youngest children with her. Her oldest son Oscar was sixteen and probably working and living on someone's farm.

The reader is encouraged to look at the full Census page in Live Links below for Gertrude *1917 and brother Arnold.

3.3.....Arnold Tauscher (*1919, +1950)
Arnold died at the age of thirty. He was buried in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse.

11.3.....Margaret Clements (*22.02.1861, +26.02.1937 La Crosse)
Margaret and Gabriel Bahr (*08.02.1855 Illinois, +13.08.1946 La Crosse), the son of Peter and Margaretha Bruckhaus Bahr, were married in the St. Joseph Ridge Church on 15 June 1880. As mentioned above for 10.1 Margaret Muenzenberger (*1861), the two Margaret cousins married the brothers Bahr in a double ceremony! And the two cousins Margaret had been born on the same day!

They farmed for many years, first in Greenfield where they owned their farm free of a mortgage and by 1920 in Shelby. By 1910 the older two of their children had moved out. The younger three sons (ages 16 through 22) worked on the farm and daughter Amelia "Emily" helped in the house. They moved into La Crosse in 1922 where they lived at 1430 Jackson Street.

Margaret died in 1937 and was buried in the La Crosse Catholic Cemetery. Gabriel Bahr passed away nine years after Margaret and was buried with her in the La Crosse Catholic Cemetery.

Children: (6)
6.1.....John William Bahr (*24.03.1881 Hamilton LaC-Cty, +26.12.1951 La Crosse)
Wedding Day in 1905
John and Emma Roesler Bahr
Click to enlarge
John W. Bahr, circa 1925
John and Emma Christina Roesler (*16.10.1883 Greenfield Twp LaC-Cty, +02.07.1971 La Crosse) married on 14 November 1905. Emma Christina was the daughter of Edward and Christina Hess Roesler.

In the 1920 Census, John and Emma were farming in Greenfield Township. They owned the farm free of a mortgage. Their four children ranged in age from 13 to one years. Their neighbors were various Clement families (Peter and Frank), the Gerkes (Peter) and Tauschers (Carl).

Ten years later they had retired from the farm. John was forty-nine and gave his occupation as "working at odd jobs". They had moved into La Crosse City and around the corner from John's parents Gabriel and Margaret Bahr. John and Emma owned their home at 1433 Johnson Street, his parents owned theirs at 1430 Jackson Street. Their two homes were valued ($3700 and $3500 respectively) higher than most of the others in the neighborhood. John and Emma's youngest child Herbert was twelve, their only child still living at home.

From the Census records we can see that John and Emma sold their farm to 4.1 Edward W., their oldest child. In the 1920 Census some of the Bahr's closest neighbors were Nick and Mary Clements, Peter and Maggie Clements, and Frank and Emma Clements. In the 1930 Census these three Clements families were near Edward's farm. These records can be best accessed in the Live Links section at the bottom of this page.

In 1940 we see that John had gone to school through the fifth grade, Emma through the eighth. No occupation was entered for John. In 1939 he had not worked (0 weeks). Living with them was their son Herbert (age twenty-two) and his wife Mildred. They paid $10 per month rent.

John and Emma were interred in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse.

Children: (4)
4.1.....Edward W. Bahr (*10.10.1906, +17.10.1995 La Crosse)
Edward W. Bahr, circa 1919
Click to enlarge
Edward and Christina Ritter (*09.10.1907 Bangor, LaC-Cty, +24.08.1988) married. Christina was the daughter of Jacob and Barbara Rutz Ritter. The wedding was on 27 September 1927 in the Catholic Church on St. Joseph Ridge.

As told in the story of Edward's father John above, during the 1920s Edward and Christina took over the family farm. The farm was on State Trunk Highway 33 in Greenwood Township. Their neighbors were the families Clements (several), Schams, Hess, Wuensch, Hansen, Servais, Becker, and Breidel, among others. Also nearby were the William and Ida Bahrs and the George and Mary Bahrs. William Bahr and George Bahr were brothers of 6.1 John William Bahr above and therefore uncles of 4.1 Edward W. Bahr (*1906, +1995).

Their enumerations in the Census years 1930 and 1940 give little other information. Their entries in both cases are at the bottoms of the original Census pages and roll over onto the next page, best seen in Live Links.

The Bahrs, like many of the Münzenberger descendants, were quite prolific. Note in the obituary of Edward Bahr (*1906) they had thirty-five grandchildren and sixty-seven great-grandchildren. And that was in 1995 at the time of Edward's death. The numbers surely increased thereafter.

Edward and Christina were buried next to each other in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse. Their obituaries are provided.

Children: (6)
6.1.....Evelyn B. Bahr (*31.03.1929 St. Joseph’s Ridge, LaC-Cty, +23.07.2002 West Salem LaC-Cty)
Arnold B.Nicolai (*20.05.1921, +April 1986) were married on 27 May 1921. Arnold's parents were Arthur O. and Kathryn A. Nicolai.

Arnold and Evelyn farmed, first in the Barre Mills WI area, then in Bangor, LaC-County. Tobacco was one of their main crops, requiring much effort to harvest. Arnold and Evelyn were buried in the Fairview Cemetery in Bangor. Her obituary is on two . pages.

Children: (11)
11.1.....Rodney A. Nicolai (*07.12.1947)
On 26 May 1974 in La Crosse Rodney and Mae Oehler (*1952), the daughter of Leona O. Oehler, were married.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Corey Nicolai
3.2.....Ryan Nicolai
3.3.....Lisa Marie Nicolai (*30.07.1976 La Crosse, +12.10.2004 La Crosse)
Lisa passed away at the age of twenty-seven from cancer. She was buried in the Fairview Cemetery in Bangor.

11.2.....Terry T. Nicolai (*06.01.1949)
Terry and Sandy Strong married.

11.3.....Dennis A. "Festus" Nicolai (*30.07.1950 La Crosse, +18.02.2014 West Salem LaC-Cty)
Dennis "Festus" Nicolai
Fairview Cemetery, Bangor
Click to enlarge
Festus and Mary K. Schmitz married on 26 September 1970. They lived in Onalaska, LaC-Cty with their three children. Festus and Mary later divorced.

Festus then moved to West Salem where he worked for years at the Allied (farm) Cooperative. His headstone tells the story.

He was buried in the Fairview Cemetery in Bangor. He was sixty-three years old.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Tammy Nicolai
Tammy and Jason Brown were married.

3.2.....Jason Nicolai
Jason's wife is Wendy.

3.3.....Melissa Nicolai
Melissa and Darrin Barth married.

11.4.....Steven Edward Nicolai (*04.10.1951)
Stephan and Margaret „Marge“ Mary Konsela (*1954) were married on July 1995. The ceremony was in Trempealeau WI.

11.5.....Barbara Nicolai
11.6.....Alan John Nicolai (*14.05.1955)
Alan's wife is Carol.

11.7.....Kathy Nicolai (*12.08.1958)
Michael J. Wuensch (*16.07.1958) and Kathy married.

11.8.....Sandra K. Nicolai (*01.09.1959)
On 12 April 1975 in La Crosse Sandra and Duane J. Langrehr (*11.02.1957) were married.

11.9.....Randall "Randy" Mark Nicolai (*22.02.1960)
Patricia „Patti“ Sue Bakke (*10.06.1961) and Randy married.

11.10.....Tim Nicolai (*, +)
11.11.....Mary Jacqueline Nicolai (*1965)
On 23 October 1993 Mary and Todd John Scott (*1965) were married.

6.2..... Alfred William Bahr (*19.01.1931, +03.10.2011)
Alfred and Arlene Bahr
North Ridge Cemetery, Middle Ridge, LaC-Cty
Click to enlarge
Alfred and his wife Arlene M. Dwyer (*1929, +06.12.1981) married on 31 January 1950 in Coon Valley. Over the course of twelve years Arlene bore ten children, probably all by single births.

Arlene passed away in 1981 at the age of fifty-one. Their youngest child David was nineteen at the time. She was interred in the North Ridge Cemetery on Middle Ridge.

Six years later Alfred re-married at age fifty-seven. His second wife was Madonna Mae Leis (*19.03.1940).

Thirty years after the passing of Arlene Alfred joined her in the North Ridge Cemetery. The obituary in the La Crosse Tribune shows the extent of the family and tells more of his life.

Children: (10)
10.1.....James Bahr
James and Shirley Jean Nymoen (*21.04.1945 Goodhue MN, +24.04.2002 Bangor WI) married on 26 June 1971. Shirley was the daughter of Kenneth Levern and Ruth Lillian Froisland. The wedding was on 26 June 1971.

The transcription of the obituary of Shirley lists their extended family.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Scott Bahr
2.1.....Amy Bahr

10.2.....Lois Bahr
Marriage with Dennis Peterson of La Crosse.

10.3.....John Michael Bahr (*1953)
Barbara Lee Livingood (*1964) and John were married on 24 June 1989 in Monroe WI.

Children: (6)
6.1.....Joshua Michael Bahr (*06.10.1989, +06.10.1989 Cashton WI)
Joshua died at birth and was buried in the North Ridge Cemetery on Middle Ridge.

6.2.....Miranda Lee Bahr (*15.09.1990 La Crosse, +15.09.1990)
Miranda too died at birth a year after her brother and was buried in the North Ridge Cemetery.

6.3.....Eric Bahr
6.4.....Nicole Bahr
6.5.....Anna Bahr
6.6.....Christoper Bahr

10.4.....Diane Bahr (*1955)
Brian H. Wang (*1954) married Diane. The ceremony was in Vernon WI on 24 February 1973.

10.5.....Sandra Bahr (*1956)
On 22 July 1978 in Vernon WI, Sandra and Glen E. Sternke (*19.07.1953) were married.

10.6.....Paul William Bahr (*29.07.1957)
Paul married Gwen Rae Stakston (*17.03.1958) in a ceremony on 7 October 1984 in La Crosse.

10.7.....Francis A. Bahr (*04.10.1958)
Sandy Hilleshiem (*1959) and Francis were married 7 October 1978 in La Crosse.

10.8.....Christine M. Bahr (*01.12.1959)
Christine is typical of many of the descendants of Wolfgang Münzenberger in that her spouse is a distant relative. She and Steven Schams (*13.03.1955) were married 20 October 1979 in La Crosse.

6.1 Steven Schams – son of
9.7 William G. Schams (1934–2018) – son of
8.5 Matilda Gilles (1896–1959) and William John Schams (1900–1975) –daughter of
11.4 Louisa Clements (1862–1953) and Michael Gilles (1860–1935) - daughter of
11.6 Christina Muenzenberger (1837-1918) and Nicholas Clements (1830-1875) - daughter of
Wolfgang Ernst Münzenberger (*1802 Undenheim Germany, +1885 Greenfield Twp WI), emigrant and whose chapter this is.

But more will be given to the numerous cases of descendants marrying later.

10.9.....Thomas E. Bahr (*28.10.1961)
In a ceremony in Monroe (LaC-Cty) on 27 September 1980 Thomas and Sharon A. Roche (*25.11.1962) were married. They live in Coon Valley.

10.10.....David Eugene Bahr (*27.12.1962)
In a ceremony in 1981 David and Renee Jean Hess (*1974) were married. The date was 25 July. Click Here to read the story of David and Renee.

6.3..... Helen R. Bahr (*14.03.1933 St. Joseph Ridge, +09.04.2020)
Helen Bahr Shannon
Click to enlarge
Helen and James „Jim“ Shannon were married in 1960 in La Crosse. The ceremony was in the Holy Trinity Catholic Church. They wintered in Arizona for many years, which they enjoyed.

The obituary of Helen lists the given names of thirteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. But we do not know into which families they fit. Helen was buried in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Todd Shannon
Todd and Terri married.

3.2.....Lynn Shannon
Lynn married Terry Lagerlund.

3.3.....Sara Shannon
Sara's partner is Peter Gross.

6.4..... Eugene J.Bahr (*19.01.1935)
Eugene married Virginia L. „Ginny“ McDaniel (*30.03.1936, +15.05.2002 La Crosse).

Eugene and Virginia are buried in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse. Her obituary lists the family members.

Children: (6)
6.1.....Laura A. Bahr (*25.09.1960)
Laura and Darrell Dwyer (*02.12.1957) married on 24 November 1979 in La Crosse.

6.2.....Lisa R. Bahr (*07.03.1962)
Jamie D. Thibodeau (*17.02.1958) married.

6.3.....Lucy Lynn Bahr (*1966)
On 18 March 1989 Brian Daniel Jacobson (*24.03.1963 Hennepin MN) and Lucy were married. Brian is the son of Emmanuel Robert and Judith Edla Crawford Jacobson.

6.4.....Bryan Bahr
6.5.....Garry Bahr
6.6.....Linda Bahr

6.5.....Rosemary L. Bahr (*10.07.1937)
Rosemary and Ronald J. Ludwig (*25.04.1932) married. They lived in Janesville.

6.6..... Lucille M. Bahr (*30.01.1940)
In her first marriage with a Mr. Hofmeister Lucille bore her two sons, Eric and John. The marriage ended in divorce in 1977 in Rock County WI.

Two years later on 16 June Lucille re-married. Her husband was George W. Nordeng (*09.03.1927 Orfordville, Rock County WI, +25.07.2014 Janesville WI), the son of Osar and Hannah Olson Nordeng. George too had been previously married. He and his first wife Dorothy Holden had three children: Richard, Susan, and Jeffrey.

George served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during World War II. He worked for Sears and Ace Hardware, later owning the Ace Hardware in Evansville. His obituary is in parts one and two.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Eric Hofmeister (*07.06.1967)
Eric and his wife Elizabeth live in San Diego CA, per the obituary of George Nordeng

2.2.....John Hofmeister
John and his wife Lisa live in Madison WI.

4.2..... Rose C. Bahr (*24.09.1909 St.Joseph Ridge, +03.01.2004)
In the 1930 Census Rose was twenty years old and a domestic worker("servant") in the home of Victor Simones.

Rose and Rudolph W. Hansen (*23.11.1901, +06.05.1967 La Crosse) married. Rudolph was the son of Frederick and Mary Servais Hansen.

In the 1940 Census Rudolph was enumerated as a farmer. They had three children at the time, ages 7, 5, and 2. Also living with them was a farm hand George Rode. The Census can best be viewed in the Live Links section at the bottom of this page. They were renting on Rockland Road in Bangor for $15 per month and had been at the same address in 1935. Rudolph and Rose had completed their eductions through the eighth grade.

Rudolph and Rose were buried in the Saint Marys Catholic Cemetery in Bangor, LaC-Cty.

Note: Rudolph Hansen’s father Frederick Hansen was a cousin of Peter Michael Hansen (1880–1910),
Peter Michael Hansen (1880–1910) married 4.1 Christina Marie Clements (1886–1952), daughter of 11.2 John and Katherine Schmitt Clements.
Frederick Hansen’s father Nicholas and Peter Michaels father Michael Hansen were brothers.
Rudolph’s sister Elenora Hansen (1904–2003) married 5.2 William Peter Clements (1897–1977), son of 11.7 Emil Clements (1868–1930) and Francis Briedel (1869–1950).
Emil was a son of 11.6 Christina Muenzenberger and Nicholas Clements.

Is that perfectly clear?

Children: (5)
5.1..... Norbert Hansen (*1933 WI)
Norbert is married to Linda.

5.2..... Mary Hansen (*1935 WI)
Mary was wed to Richard Iglar.

5.3..... John Hansen (*1938 WI)
John's wife is Donna.

5.4..... Leo Hansen
Leo's wife is Rosemary.

5.5..... Elizabeth Hansen
Elizabeth married Charles Schreader.

4.3..... Joseph John Bahr (*17.03.1913, +13.04.1996)
Joseph J. and Della H. Bahr
Click to enlarge
Joseph and Della H. Mashak (*1913 +1964) married. Della was the daughter of Louis and Louisa Kumm Mashak.

In 1940 they owned their farm in Hamilton Township, LaC-Cty. Joseph had completed his schooling through the eighth grade. It appears they had owned their farm for at least five years.

Della passed away in 1964 at the age of fifty-one and was buried in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse. Joseph joined her thirty-two years later. They appear to have had children, as their gravestone says "Father and Mother". We have no information on their chldren.

4.4..... Herbert F. Bahr (*18.03.1918 St. Joseph Ridge, +11.10.2000 West Salem LaC-Cty)
In 1940 Herbert and his wife Mildred were living in the home of Herbert's parents, John and Emma. They paid $10 monthly rent. Herbert and Mildred had both completed four years of high school and worked in 1939, Herbert as a salesman in a "retail grocery" earning $840 in fifty-two weeks and Mildred, perhaps as a stenographer and earning $500 in forty weeks.

From Herbert's obituary we know he graduated from Acquinas High School and went on to Palmer College of Chiropractics. He opened a practice in Viroqua in Vernon County. Over the years he was active in the Lions Club, the Development Association, and the Chamber of Commerce, at one time or another as President of all three.

His second wife was Olga Ostrem (*25.02.1913, +31.10.1998), a widow. Her first husband was Olav Dahl. We see from Olga's headstone that she is buried with Olav. Herbert's grave is located in front of the grave of Ronald Dahl, his step-son.

We know of no children from either of Herbert's marriages.

6.2.....Emma Margaret Bahr (*11.1882 La Crosse, +06.09.1960 St Joseph Ridge, LaC-Cty)
Emma married Louis Servais. The ceremony took place on 20.10.1903.

Children: (7)
7.1..... William J. Servais (*02.11.1904 WI, +17.04.1989 La Crosse County)




Children: (1)
1.1..... Ann Ellen Servais (*1934, +1950)




7.2..... Arthur G. Servais (*07.04.1907 St. Joseph Ridge, LaC-Cty, +24.04.2000 La Crosse)




Children: (6)
6.1..... Paul L. Servais (*20.03.1935)




6.2..... Donna Mae Servais (*16.01.1937)




6.3..... Everett R. Servais (*22.03.1939 St. Joseph Ridge, +27.09.2019 La Crescent, Houston County, MN)




6.4..... Emma Therese Servais (*31.10.1943)




Children: (2)
2.1..... Rebecca Brockman




2.2..... Catherine Brockman




6.5..... Barbara A. Servais (*25.11.1945)




Children: (2)
2.1..... Ben Barrett




2.2..... Michael Barrett




6.6..... Veronica Servais




7.3..... George Carl Servais (*22.02.1909, +03.04.1999 La Crosse)




Children: (14)
14.1..... Marcella E. Servais (*24.01.1933, +13.05.2019)




Children: (12)
12.1..... Joan C. Weiker (*19.08.1951)




Children: (3)
3.1..... Tina Bahr




3.2..... Christopher Bahr




3.3..... Heidi Bahr




12.2..... Bernadette C. Weiker (*24.03.1953)




12.3..... Sandra „Sandi“ Weiker (*12.12.1954)




Children: (2)
2.1..... Aimee Osgood




2.2..... Jessica Osgood




12.4..... James L. Weiker (*06.06.1956)




12.5..... Karen Weiker *1958




Children: (1)
1.1..... Ryan Elliott




12.6..... Steven J. Weiker (*28.08.1959)




12.7..... Rose Loretta Weiker (*10.03.1961)




Children: (2)
2.1..... Derek Hehn




2.2..... Cameron Hehn




12.8.....




12.9.....




12.10.....




12.11.....




12.12.....




14.2.....




14.3.....




14.4.....




14.5.....




14.6.....




14.7.....




14.8.....




14.9.....




14.10.....




14.11.....




14.12.....




14.13.....




14.14.....




7.4..... (*, +)




7.5..... (*, +)




7.6..... (*, +)




7.7..... (*, +)




Children: (y)
y.z..... (*, +)




Children: (y)
y.z..... (*, +)




Children: (y)
y.z..... (*, +)




6.3.....William Bahr (*7.11.1887, +after 1937)
William and Ida Jungen were married 16 August 1910.

Children: (y)
y.z..... (*, +)




Children: (y)
y.z..... (*, +)




Children: (y)
y.z..... (*, +)




Children: (y)
y.z..... (*, +)






6.4.....George Bahr (*12.1889, +after 1937)
George married Anna Kneifl on 2 October 1915. In the late 1930s they were living in St. Joseph Ridge.

Children: (y)
y.z..... (*, +)




Children: (y)
y.z..... (*, +)




Children: (y)
y.z..... (*, +)




Children: (y)
y.z..... (*, +)




6.5.....Amelia Bahr (*15.07.1892, +after 1937)
Amelia and William Jungen married on 9 June 1910. Need to research to see if William and Ida were siblings. Either way, William married a Clements sibling two months earlier.

Children: (y)
y.z..... (*, +)




Children: (y)
y.z..... (*, +)




Children: (y)
y.z..... (*, +)




Children: (y)
y.z..... (*, +)




6.6.....Francis Bahr (*21.11.1894, +after 1937)
Elizabeth Schmitz and Francis Clements married.

Children: (y)
y.z..... (*, +)




Children: (y)
y.z..... (*, +)




Children: (y)
y.z..... (*, +)




Children: (y)
y.z..... (*, +)




***********************************
Children: (y)
y.z..... (*, +)




Children: (y)
y.z..... (*, +)




Children: (y)
y.z..... (*, +)




Children: (y)
y.z..... (*, +)




**********************************
11.4.....Louisa Clements (*6.12.1862 [1], +1953)
Louisa married Michael Gilles (*04.04.1860 St. Donatus, Jackson County IA, +1935). Michael was the son of Henry and Catherina Legros Gilles. The wedding was on 20 November 1883 in La Crosse. Michael's brother Peter married Louisa's sister Mary.

The Census of 1900 shows Louisa and Michael with their first six children. They owned their farm in Garden Valley, Jackson County, free of a mortgage. Also living in the house was a John Horunah, 46 years old and a "servant". By 1910 they had filled out their entire roster of eight children. But with the addition of two children since the 1900 Census, their two oldest daughters had (presumably married and) moved out of the home. There were still six children in the house. Frank and Leo, ages 20 and 16 respectively, were working on the family farm. The Census records through 1930 continue to show they were farming in Garden Valley.

In the 1930s they retired and moved to Alma Center in Jackson County, about fifty miles northeast of La Crosse. Michael passed away in 1935 and was buried in Saint Mary's Cemetery in Alma Center. Louise followed him eighteen years later.

Children: (8)
8.1.....Emma Gilles (*26.01.1886 La Crosse [1], +23.08.1971)


8.2.....Helena L. Gilles (*17.07.1887 La Crosse [1], +1981)


8.3.....Frances M. Gilles (*15.12.1889 La Crosse [1], +1968)


8.4.....Leo Peter Gilles (*07.12.1893 La Crosse [1], +1981)


8.5.....Matilda Marie Gilles (*01.04.1896 Jackson County WI [1], +1981)


8.6.....Martin Joseph Gilles (*02.04.1898 Jackson County WI [1], +1959)


8.7.....Paul J. Gilles (*25.03.1902 Jackson County WI [1], +1982)


8.8.....Georgiana A. Gilles (*27.10.1904 Jackson County WI [1], +1988)


11.5.....George Clements (*05.1864, +1939)
George married Ida Sedevie (*03.07.1872 Washington WI, +13.09.1926) on 7 June 1892 in the Catholic Church in St. Joseph Ridge. Ida was the daughter of Francis and Marie Mashek Sedevie. As seen in the Census records of 1900 George and Ida were farming on the adjacent property to his mother Christina's and his siblings John and Peter. To find the record in LiveLinks, use the record for his mother Christina.

George and Ida were interred in the St. Joseph Ridge Cemetery.

George and Ida Clements had a total of seven children, if you include the girl Bertha. In the 1900 Census she was enumerated with George and Ida as "adopted daughter" Bertha Clements. But also in 1900 then enumerated two farms down with Christina Clements (*1837), George's mother, as "adopted daughter" Bertha Windt. And five years later in the 1905 Wisconsin Census with George and Ida as "servant" Bertha Taylor. In 1910 when she presumably would have been twenty-three she does not appear with the Clements. She certainly could have married and moved out. Given the conflicting information, we will leave her out as a family member for the time being.

It is worth pointing out here that some of the information on George Clements is in conflict. The 1900 Census and findagrave.com disagree on the birthyear -- either 1864 or 1865. And the death record says 1938 while the tombstone says perhaps 1939. But such irregularities are common to genealogical records and are to be taken in stride.

Children: (6)
6.1.....Frank Clements (*10.06.1893)


6.2.....Ruth Clements (*11.10.1894)


6.3.....Arthur E. Clements (*22.01.1898)


6.4.....Emma Clements (*13.11.1899, +20.10.1918)
Emma died of pneumonia in 1918 during the Spanish Flu pandemic.

6.5.....Josephine Clements (*~1904)


6.6.....Georgia Clements (*~1907)


11.6.....Mary Clements (*05.04.1866 [1], +22.03.1946 La Crosse)
Mary and Peter Gilles (*02.07.1862 Dubuque IA, +21.07.1938 La Crosse) were wed in the St. Mary's Catholic Church in St. Joseph Ridge. The ceremony took place on 8 November 1887. Peter was the son of Henry and Catherina Gilles. Peter's brother Michael had married Mary's sister Louisa four years prior. The La Crosse City Directories indicate Peter was a "cooper" by trade, a maker and repairer of barrels.

Around 1900 they lived at 1452 Franam Street in La Crosse. The family consisted of Peter and Mary, four sons and two daughters. Ten years later there were ten children, ages four months to 19 years, all living in the family home. But the "family home" is entered as the "Holy Trinity Convent" at 1408 South 16th Street in La Crosse. This is curious. In 1930 Peter had retired. Three of their children, Marie, age 25, Albert, age 23, and Arthur, age 20 were living with them. The address is given as 1208 15th Street! [1] And to add to the confusion, as seen below under 10.1 William an address of 1308 S. 16th Street is given.

Peter died 21 July 1938 and was buried in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse. Mary passed eight years later according to findagrave.com. This is in conflict with the "Luxembourg to..." book [1].

Children: (10)
10.1.....William Gilles (*27.07.1890 La Crosse, +18.02.1949)
In his registration for the U.S. military draft in June 1917 William indicated that he had a weak ankle from a past accident. His address was entered as 1308 S. 16th Street rather than 1408 as indicated above in the 1910 Census.

10.2.....Johanna Catherine Gilles (*20.09.1892)
Elmer Nelson were married.

10.3.....Rosanne Louise Gilles (*27.01.1895)
Rosanne and G. Klein married.

10.4.....Peter Paul Gilles (*22.04.1896, +06.06.1911)


10.5.....Joseph Gilles (*28.05.1898)


10.6.....Matthew Anton Gilles (*04.02.1900)


10.7.....Louis Gilles (*01.12.1902 La Crosse)


10.8.....Albert Gilles (*12.02.1907 La Crosse)


10.9.....Marie Gilles (*23.10.1908)
Marie married Russell Rick.

10.10.....Arthur Ambrose Gilles (*08.12.1909)


11.7.....Emil Clements (*20.05.1868, +1930 Bangor WI)
Emil and Francis Briedel (*04.01.1869 Mormon Coulee, LaC-Cty, +~1950 Bangor WI) were married 26 February 1895. She was the daughter of Francis J. and Minna Newmann Briedel.

They farmed on acreage which they owned near the town of Bangor WI, about twelve miles to the northeast of La Crosse City in La Crosse County. In the 1900 Census they are enumerated with their first three children, plus a laborer Frank Kerska, age 26, who lived on the farm. By the time of the next Census in 1910 their fourth child had died soon before his first birthday. And they had their fifth child, another daughter.

Emil died of a stroke on the farm at the age of 62.[1] He was buried in Saint Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Bangor. Francis passed away twenty years later and also was buried there. The photographs of their graves both include the gravestone of Lucien Clemens, their son who died some years later.

Children: (5)
5.1.....Nicholas "Edwin" Clements (*06.02.1896)


5.2.....William Clements (*11.06.1897)


5.3.....Guillimina "Minnie" Clements (*13.07.1899)
From the obituary of her mother, we know that Minnie married a man by the name of Bonsack. They lived in Sheboygan Falls WI.

5.4.....Walter Clements (*13.06.1901, +23.05.1902)


5.5.....Lucien Clements (*21.12.1908)


nicholas clements family
Nicholas Clements Sr. Family, circa 1885.
Back Row: Nicholas Jr., Frank, George, Louisa, John, Emil and Peter
Front: Mary (Mrs. Peter Gilles), Dora (Mrs. Fred Gerke), Christine (Mrs. Nicholas Clements Sr.), and Margaret (Mrs. Gabriel Bahr)

 Nicholas, Sr. had died 10 years earlier. 11.6 Christine Muenzenberger (Mrs. Nicholas) Clements, seated third from the left in the front row, was the sixth child of Wolfgang and Christina Muenzenberger and married Nicholas Clements Sr.

11.8.....Frank Clements (*19.09.1870 [1] St. Joseph Ridge LaC-Cty IN, +12.02.1964 Decatur IL)
Frank married Francine "Francis" Mashek (*03.1875 WI, +24.01.1943), the daughter of Joseph and Anna Novak Mashek, on 2 July 1895 at St. Joseph Ridge Catholic Church. The "Luxembourg..." book [1] and Frank's gravestone give his birthyear as 1870. The 1900 Census says 1869. All agree on September.

Frank and Francis owned their farm in Washington Township, La Crosse County. The 1900 Census reports that a Fritz Schroeder, age 20 and born in Wisconsin, a farm laborer was living with them. Also that Francis was the mother of three, two of whom were living in 1900. We do not know of the child who had died. The information is repeated in the 1910 Census on the second page.

Following Francis's passing in 1943 Frank moved to Decatur IL where he lived with his son Frank. He died there in 1964. His body was returned to La Crosse and he was buried in the Catholic Cemetery there with Francis.

Children: (6)
6.1.....Joseph Clements (*20.08.1896, +1946)
Joseph lived in Bangor, LaC-Cty.

6.2.....Edward J. Clements (*25.02.1898, +1986)
Edward lived in Coon Valley, LaC-Cty.

6.3.....Harry Clements (*~1902, +1979)
Harry lived in Honolulu HI.

6.4.....Anna Katherine Clements (*04.10.1904, +1993)
The obituary of their mother Francine mentions her son-in-law John Capaul of Alma Center WI, the husband of Anna Katherine. John was a farmer by profession. His father had emigrated from Switzerland.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Robert Capaul (*1926 WI)


3.2.....Alice Capaul (*1927 WI)


3.3.....Francis Capaul (*1929 WI)


6.5.....Frank Emil Clements (*17.09.1907, +1964)
Frank lived in Decatur IL.

6.6.....Frances Clements (*30.09.1909, +1972)
In the obituary of their mother Francine is mentioned Frances as Mrs Robert Fries of Chicago.

11.9.....Peter Clements (*24.01.1873 [1] St. Joseph Ridge, LaC-Cty IN, +15.05.1925 St. Joseph Ridge [1])
Peter and Margaretha "Maggie" Rutz (*07.12.1877, +22.08.1964 West Salem WI) were married 28 November 1899. Maggie was the daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Dubeck Rutz.

The 1900 Census shows Peter and Maggie living with his mother Christina on the family farm. Also in the household is Peter's brother Nicolas, age 24, and the curious Bertha Windt mentioned above.

Five years later in the Wisconsin State Census Peter is the "head" of the family. He and Maggie are the parents of two sons. Mother Christina is living with them, now age 68. Also cousin Ernest Clements, age 26, is living with them and working on the farm. In all probability this farm was the original farm in St. Joseph Ridge which their father Nicholas (*1830) and Christina began in 1856.

Then in 1910 it is indicated that Peter is renting the farm. And that his mother Christina has her "own income". This is in contrast to the 1905 Census which showed Peter as the owner. Probably the 1905 Census was in error and Christina continued owning it, and collecting rent, until her demise in 1918? And in 1910 the resident farm laborer again changed. Jacob Roellich, age 20, single and the son of German immigrants, was living with and working for Peter.

Peter and Maggie are interred beside each other in the St. Joseph Ridge Cemetery.

Children: (6)
6.1.....Rudolf Clements (*1901 WI)


6.2.....John Clements (*1903 WI)


6.3.....Alois Clements (*1906 WI)


6.4.....Emil Clements (*1908 WI)


6.5.....Albert Clements (*after 1910)


6.6.....Paul Gabriel Clements (*1920, +1999)


11.10....Emma Clements (*29.05.1874, +11.1874 [1] St. Joseph Ridge LaC-Cty WI)
Emma died at the age of seven months and was buried at the St. Joseph Ridge Catholic Cemetery.[1]

11.11.....Nicholas Clements (*06.04.1876, +09.05.1947 Black River Falls WI)
Nicholas Jr., born five months after his father's accidental death, was named for his father. At age 24 in 1900 he was living and working on his mother's farm on St. Joseph Ridge.

Nicholas and Mary Ann Wasmeier (*1887, +12.04.1954), the daughter of Lawrence and Antonia Wasmeier, were married on 25 November 1902 in La Crosse. Nicholas farmed in Hixton, Jackson County WI. Supporting the marriage record is the 1910 Census which shows they had been married for eight years. The "Luxembourg..." book says about 1908. [1] Their obituary on findagrave.com says 1903.

They then moved to Garden Valley in Jackson County before 1920 where they also farmed.

In the late 1930s they were living in Black River Falls in Jackson County, forty miles northeast of La Crosse. Nicholas passed away 9 May 1947. Mary followed him seven years later. They were buried in the Saint Mary Cemetery in Alma Center.

Children: (5)
5.1.....Isadore N. Clements (*02.09.1903, +10.1915)

5.2.....Alvin M. Clements (*1907 WI)
In 1947 Alvin was living in Norwalk WI and in 1954 in Camp Douglas.

5.3.....Martin F. Clements (*15.07.1909, +28.12.1975)
In 1947 Martin was living in Racine, then in Couderay in 1954.

5.4.....Ray Clements (*~1915)
In 1947 Ray was living in Racine and in Bayfield in 1954.

5.5.....Leo Clements (*15.05.1918, +10.1979)
In 1947 Leo was living in Reading PA.

11.7.....Carol Christian Muenzenberger (*27.11.1839 Undenheim, + WI)
Carl Christian emigrated with the family in 1847. At this time we have little information about him after the 1850 Census, at which time he was enumerated as a twelve year old but probably really ten.

11.8.....Margaretha Muenzenberger (*06.02.1841 Undenheim, +20.05.1917 Cashton, Monroe Cty WI)
Margaret married Martin Hess (*12.07.1833 Mühlbach, Hessen Germany, +25.12.1908). Mühlbach is a village about 80 Km (50 miles) northeast of Frankfurt and 120 Km (80 miles) northeast of Undenheim. It is near the somewhat larger town of Bad Hersfeld. Martin was the son of Johann Heinrich (*11.03.1796, +08.02.1847) and Anna Christine Schmidt (*13.03.1803, +03.11.1872) Hess.

Martin and Margaret Muenzenberger Hess
(Need to confirm this is Martin Hess and not Nicholas Clements)
Click to enlarge

It is believed Martin emigrated from Germany in 1853 at the age of twenty, six years after the death of his father. He was a passenger on the ship Corinthian which sailed for the United States from the French port of Havre through which many Germans departed Europe. From the passenger list it appears he emigrated alone, or at least with no other Hess family members. Hopefully some of Martin's descendants can confirm this information with historical documents (e.g. family bible or something from the distant past). He was naturalized as a U.S. Citizen in 1871.

[Note: Images of the entire original Census pages can be accessed through the Live Links Section at the bottom of this page]

Based upon the information in the 1900 Census they had been married for forty-one years, or in 1859. In 1870 they were farming in Greenfield Township, La Crosse County. They owned their farm, valued at $1,000 which was typical of the other farms in the area. It appears their name was entered as Haß and then transcribed to Hass. Enumerated in the family were six children, ages 10 to 1 year. Five years later they had added one more child to the family, another son, for a total of seven children and two adults.

Margaret Muenzenberger Hess
Click to enlarge
In the 1880 Census they had two more children, Phillip (age 2) and Margaret (one month old). Two of the older daughters no longer lived in the family home.

By 1900 only three children remained in the house: George (30), Philip (22) and William (18). The sons worked on the farm. They had, however, adopted a daughter Anna Sausel (*09.02.1885) who was fifteen and living with the family.

Little is known of the circumstances around the adoption. Anna was the daughter of Gustav August and Christine Emilie Funck Sausel. However there is a memorial on the FindAGrave website to Anna's mother Christine which provides a glimpse. Georganne Oldenburg is perhaps one of the great grandchildren.

The 1900 Census is also important for it tells how many children a woman had borne, and how many were still living at the time of the Census. Margaret had borne a total of twelve children, eight of whom were still alive. As shown below three children were born in the 1870s but died before 1880 (Regina, Henry and John). Then Emma died in 1896 at the age of thirty.

And one other thing about the 1900 Census and their adopted daughter Anna Sausel. Anna later married her "adopted" brother 12.10 Philip Justus Hess (*1877). See below. Philip was her adopted brother in the sense that she had been adopted into the Martin Hess family, of which Philip was one of their six sons.

Martin passed away in 1908 and presumably was buried in the Saint Joseph Ridge Catholic Cemetery. Margaret would join him nine years later.

The 1910 Census shows Margaret living with son William (age 27) and William's wife Anna (19). They had been married one year. William was renting the farm. Margaret reported she had "own income", undoubtedly the rent from William.

Children: (12)
12.1.....Christina Hess (*13.08.1860 Greenfield Twp WI, +20.01.1945 La Crosse WI)
On 11 February 1879 Christina married Edward Roesler (*01.11.1851 Wolfersdorf, Böhmisch Leipa, (Česká Lípa), Bohemia, Austro Hungary, +13.11.1943 La Crosse WI). Edward was the son of Franz/Frank and Agnes Werner Roesler. He was also the brother of Herman Roesler, who married 12.3 Mary Hess.

Edward emigrated with his mother and siblings in 1857 at the age of five. While we do not have the ship's log showing their passage, in his Petition For Naturalization to become a U.S. citizen their voyage was laid out. They departed from Bremen, Germany, on 28 July 1857 aboard the vessel „Jubiläum“. They arrived New York City on 8 September 1857, a voyage of six weeks! It is likely the Jubiläum stopped in other ports enroute. From New York they went directly to La Crosse WI which they reached on 20 September 1857.

The story of the Roesler Family (Edward's parents and siblings) is interesting by itself. Monika Schoembs,
who did the vast majority of the research on the Wisconsin Münzenbergers, put together this side story:

"It seems his father Frank Roesler Sr came in advance of the family to America. I found a text written about
Edward’s eldest brother Frank Roesler Jr. which gives insight into the life of the family. In this text it is
mentioned that Frank Roesler Jr was born in „Boemisch-Leiper“, which is „Böhmisch Leipa“ in today's Czech
Republic. At the time it was a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire."










Edward filed his Petition for Naturalization on 11 July 1914 after he had been in the country for fifty-seven years. It provides much information about their family members and where they were living at the time. As all such Petitions did, the applicant renounces any loyalty to their prior country. More specifically Edward swore to "renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty and particularly Francis Joseph, Emperor of Austria and Apostolic King of Hungary." In an Affidavit to the Petition dated 25 September 1914 Edward further recounts "I voted at most elections from 1872 to 1910. I served on a jury in Circuit Court twice, once about 1890 and 1898. I was elected and served as supervisor of the town of Greenfield, La Crosse County twice, 1902 and 1907." But there is other information which suggests he may have been naturalized years earler.

The first occurrence of the Roeslers in the Census is in 1880. Edward and Christina had been married sixteen months. And were childless! They were farming in Greenfield, La Crosse County. Their neighbors were members of the Muenzenberger, Servais, and Clements families, among others.

By 1900 there were nine children in the family, ages 2 to 20. Their neighbors now include the Bahr family. In the Census Christina was reported to have borne ten children, nine of whom were alive. Edward was shown as having been naturalized. They owned their farm free of a mortgage.

In 1905 eight children were living at home. Mary was not. Plus there was a "servant" (actually a farm worker) by the name of Frank Kreibich, age twenty-eight and single, living with them. Their son William also worked on the farm. Within the next several years they had sold their farm in Greenfield and purchased another in Shelby Township, which was just to the west of Greenfield Twp on the Mississippi River. Their farm was on Mormon Cook (?) Road.

By 1920 they had moved again, this time into the City of La Crosse. No occupation is shown for Edward at age sixty-eight. They were renting. The address appears to be #805 12th South. Their two youngest daughters were single and living at home. But by 1930 they had bought a home in La Crosse at 1023 West Avenue South. The home was valued at $7,000, a nice home! Edward, now 78 years old, was a "well driller" by profession.

The 1940 Census is the last in which Edward and Christina appear. Edward, age eighty-eight and retired, had completed his education through the second grade. Christina, age 79, had stopped school after the fifth grade. Both youngest daughters, Margaret and Josephine, ages forty-four and forty-one, had had schooling through the eighth and seventy grades respectively. Neither had married but continued living with their parents. Apparently the street names had changed, for they were enumerated at 1023 South 11th Street.

Headstones of Edward and Christina Roesler in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse


Edward passed away in 1943 and was buried in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse. Christina followed him fourteen months later. They were interred in Section 15.

Children: (11)
11.1..... Mary Louise Roesler (*01.12.1880 Greenfield, LaC-Cty, +26.10.1960 La Crosse County)
On 5 November 1901 in the Catholic Church on St. Joseph Ridge, Mary Louise and Henry Gerhard Poehling (*16.12.1873 La Crosse County, +20.02.1947 La Crosse County) were wed. Henry was the son of Gerhard Heinrich and Maria Elisabeth Voskuehler Poehling. A brief obituary of Gerhard (the father) sheds a little extra light on the family.

The Poehlings lived in La Crosse city. In 1910 they lived at 404 N. Sixth Street. Henry was a foreman in a plumbing shop. Mary Louise was the mother of four children, all living in 1910. The four ranged from six months to seven years of age.

In September 1918 Henry registered for the U.S. Military Draft. He states his occupation as "shipping clerk" at the La Crosse Plumbing Supply at 206 S. Front Street. He was tall and slender with blue eyes and dark hair.

The story of the Poehlings as inferred from the Census records is interesting. From the occupations enumerated it is unclear if Henry always worked at the same company. Probably so as in the 1930 Census he is shown as the owner of the company.

By the 1920 Census the Poehlings owned their home at 907 Zeisler Street free of a mortage. Henry was listed as "stock clerk in a factory". They had eight children, ages seventeen down to two years. None of the children worked. Next door to Henry and Mary Louise was Elisabeth Poehling, age 79 and a widow. It was perhaps a duplex. This was Edward's mother who owned the home at 909 Zeisler. Living with Elisabeth was her daughter Teresa, single and forty.

Ten years later their home was valued at $6,500 which was the highest value in the area. Henry was enumerated as a "plumber". Three of the their children were working at the plumbing company. Edward's sister Teresa was living with them. The residence at 909 was being rented by the Wessole family for $27/month. It is probable that Edward or his sister owned 909.

From the 1940 Census we see Henry and Mary Louise had completed their schooling through the eighth grade. Edward was a "stock clerk in a wholesale plumbing supply company". In 1939 he had worked fifty-two weeks and earned $2,000. Four of their children, ages twenty-one to thirty-seven were single and living with their parents. Three of the four worked at the plumbing supply company! The fourth was a nurse. The prior year earnings of the four ranged from $770 to $1,560. All had worked fifty-two weeks.

The residence at 909 Zeisler was being rented by the Schwartz family for $25 per month.

Henry passed away in 1947 and was buried in the St. Joseph Ridge Catholic Cemetery. He was joined by Mary Louise thirteen years later

Children: (9)
9.1.....Edward William Poehling (*29.10.1902 La Crosse, +27.02.1963 La Crosse)
As we have seen above in the 1930 Census Edward was 27 years old, single, a clerk in the plumbing supply company and living at home with his parents.

Ten years later Edward little had changed (other than he was ten years older). He had completed four years of high school. In 1939 he had earned $1560 and worked every week at the plumbing business of his father's.

On 7 February 1942 in La Crosse Edward and Ella Josephine Meyers (*07.02.1906 La Crosse County, +16.04.1995 Winter Park, Orange FL) married. Ella was the daughter of Nicolaus and Josephine Arenz Meyers. Edward and Ella did not have children.

It appears Edward died in La Crosse at the age of sixty. He was interred in a crypt in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse. Ella joined him thirty-two years later.

9.2.....William „Bill“ John Poehling (+29.06.1904 La Crosse, +05.11.1981 La Crosse)
At age twenty-five Bill was working in his father's plumbing business. The position is something like "com. traveler". Bill was single and living at home.

Bill and Mary Berenice Olson (*19.12.1912 Waukon, Allamakee, Iowa, +03.08.1984 La Crosse) married. The wedding was on 3 September 1934 in Waukon, a town about sixty miles south of La Crosse. Mary was the daughter of Leo Harrison and Elizabeth „Bessie“ Lenore Waldron Olson.

In 1940 Bill and Mary lived in a home they owned at 416 N. 22nd Street in La Crosse where they had been for more than five years. The home was valued at $7,000. They had three children, ages four down to one. Mary had completed one year of college. Living with them was a thirty-nine year old single woman, Bernice Harris, who was enumerated as a servant. Now Bill's role in the company is clear -- a traveling salesman. In 1939 he had worked the full year and earned $2,100.

Children: (7)
7.1.....Elizabeth Poehling (*1936)
Elizabeth and Bill McKillip married.

7.2.....William H. Poehling (*06.12.1937)
7.3.....Leo Edward Poehling (*01.01.1939)
Leo married Julia Alice Holley (*28.07.1940) in Winona MN on 13 August 1960.

Children: (5)
5.1..... Gregory John Poehling (*11.11.1961 Winona, Winona MN)
Greg Poehling was married two times. His first marriage with Julie K. Sullivan (*1964) ended in divorce nine months after they were wed. They were married on 16 May 1986 in Hennepin County MN.

Amy Frances Revak (*11.09.1961) and Greg were married on 23 November 1991 in Hennepin County.

Children: (3) with Amy Revak
3.1..... Robert Benjamin Poehling (*28.04.1993 Hennepin County MN)
3.2..... Joseph James Poehling (*16.04.1996 Hennepin County MN)
3.3..... Andrew Laurance Poehling (*16.03.1999 Hennepin County MN)

5.2..... Holley Jo Poehling (*20.02.1965 Winona, Winona MN, +22.01.1972 MN)
Holley died at the age of six. She was buried in the Church of the Assumption Catholic Cemetery in Richfield MN.

5.3..... Timothy John Poehling (*04.04.1969 Winona, Winona MN)
Timothy and Kristin Marie Palmer (*20.01.1969) married. They lived in Dakota MN.

Children: (3)
3.1..... Jack Thomas Poehling (*29.08.1996 Dakota MN)
3.2..... Nicklaus Palmer Poehling (*29.08.1996 Dakota MN)
Nick and Jack are twins.

3.3..... Ryan Poehling (*03.01.1999 Dakota MN)

5.4..... Benjamin Joseph Poehling (*11.11.1975 Winona, Winona MN)
On 6 October 2001 Benjamin and Lynne T. Martinson (*14.08.1975) were joined in marriage.

5.5..... Anthony James Poehling (*22.07.1981 Winona, Winona MN)


7.4..... Henry R. Poehling (*03.01.1944)
Sandra C. Lyons (*12.02.1944) and Henry married. They have four children.

Children: (4)
4.1..... Thomas R. Poehling (*13.05.1966)
4.2..... Patrick W. Poehling (*14.08.1970)
4.3..... Michael Ryan Poehling (*21.03.1973 La Crosse, +17.12.2000 Gainesville FL)
Michael and Angela Gould married. Michael passed away at age twenty-seven. They had two children.

Children: (2)
2.1..... Erin Poehling
2.2..... Justin Poehling

4.4..... Christopher H. Poehling (*04.10.1974)

7.5..... Paul M. Poehling (*21.06.1946)
7.6..... Susan Jane Poehling
7.7..... Thomas Joseph Poehling (*25.03.1949 La Crosse County, +22.12.2012 Fort Myers FL)
Thomas passed away in 2012 at the age of sixty-three. He was in Fort Meyers FL visiting friends.

9.3..... Elizabeth Christina Poehling (*03.08.1907 La Crosse, +05.06.1984 Moline, Rock Island IL)
Raymond and Elizabeth Poehling Schwartz
Click to enlarge
In 1930 Elizabeth was single, twenty-two years old and living at home. She was a stenographer working in a "business rating office".

In the 1930s Elizabeth and Raymond Lawrence Schwartz (*13.11.1906 Cassville, Grant County WI, +11.11.1988 Rock Island, Rock Island County IL) married. Raymond was the son of Harvey Lawrence and Catherine Agnes Moore Schwartz. He was also the brother of of Anne Elizabeth Schwartz, who married 9.7 Gerhard Poehling – see below.

By 1940 they had begun their family, with the birth of their first daughter (of four) in about 1938. Elizabeth and Raymond were renting the residence at 909 Zeisler. The rent was $25/month. Raymond had completed one year of college, Elizabeth four years of high school. Raymond was a pattern maker in a plow factory, having earned $1723 and worked all 52 weeks the prior year.

Elizabeth passed away in 1984 at the age of seventy-seven. She had been an active member of Christ the King Church in Moline. She was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Rock Island. Memorial contributions were directed to Alleman high school in Moline. She was grandmother to sixteen grandchildren at the time. Raymond died four years later and was interred with Elizabeth in the Calvary Cemetery in Rock Island.

Children: (6)
6.1..... Mary A. Schwartz (*~1938)
Mary and a member of the McCarthy family were wed. They lived in Chicago.

6.2..... Barbara Schwartz
Barbara's husband was a Houer. They lived in Cedar Rapids IA.

6.3..... Jean E. Schwartz (*01.08.1945)
Jean married into the McAdam family. They lived in Rock Island.

6.4..... Phyllis A. Schwartz (*21.04.1947)
6.5..... Phillip R. Schwarz (*21.04.1947)
Phillip and 6.4 Phyllis are twins. Phillip lived in Park Forest IL.

6.6..... John Schwartz
John lived in Rock Island.

From the 1984 obituary of Elizabeth we see there were sixteen grandchildren at the time.

9.4..... Catherine Teresa Poehling (*28.11.1908 LaC-Cty, +21.03.1987 LaC-Cty)
The Weibel Family Grave
Click to enlarge
At age twenty-one Catherine was single, living at home and working as a stenographer at the family plumbing company.

Ten years later she was enumerated as having completed her education through four years of high school. She continued working for her father and reported $850 in earnings, working the full year of 1939.

In 1952 Catherine married Raymond Joseph Weibel (*26.06.1900 Norwalk, Monroe WI, +12.09.1968 La Crosse County). Raymond's parents were Clements and Maria Schmidt Weibel. He had initially married Anna E. Heinz, with whom he was the father of four. Then in a second marriage Raymond was wed to Evelyn Fried. Catherine was his third marriage. Raymond and Catherine had no children.

But Raymond's connection with the Poehling family did not end there. His son Eugene Weibel (*1921) from Raymond's first marriage was wed to 9.9 Gertrude Poehling (*1922) making Raymond Gertrude's father-in-law. See 9.9 Gertrude below.

9.5..... Louise Magdalene Poehling (*24.02.1911 La Crosse, +24.05.2007 La Crosse)
Like her sisters, Louise at age nineteen (1930) was working as a stenographer in a "business rating office". Six years later she married Harry Frank Mutch (*09.10.1905 Elroy, Juneau County WI, +14.10.1995 La Crosse County). Harry's parents were John Harry and Louise C. White Mutch.

In 1940 Louise and Harry owned their home, valued at $3,750, at 1920 South 16th Street in La Crosse. Both had completed high school. Harry was an "office clerk" at an air conditioner manufacturer. His earnings in 1939 had been $1,848, a good compensation at the time. Their first two daughters were two years and ten months respectively.

Louise and Harry were interred in the Gateway of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in La Crosse.

Children: (5)
5.1..... Mary Louise Mutch (*27.08.1937)
5.2..... Ann Marie Mutch (*02.06.1939 WI)
On 30 November 1996 Ann Marie and Philip Charles Nickelatti (*13.03.1936) married.

5.3..... Ellen M. Mutch (*04.10.1940)
5.4..... Kathleen M. Mutch (*16.02.1955, +24.05.2007 Tempe AZ)
Kathleen married Carl R. Hansen Jr (*1955).

5.5..... James Mutch

9.6..... Mary Ann Poehling (*19.05.1913 LaC-Cty, +28.12.1996 LaC-Cty)
We are not aware of Mary Ann marrying or bearing children. In 1940 she was twenty-six years old, single, working as a nurse and living at home. In 1939 she reported earnings of $800.

She passed away at the age of eighty-three and was interred in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse.

9.7..... Gerhard „Gary“ George Poehling (*23.10.1914 LaC-Cty, +28.12.1998 La Crosse)
Anne Elizabeth Schwartz Poehling
Gary Poehling and Anne Elizabeth Schwartz (*19.08.1914 Dubuque, Dubuque WI, +09.05.2008 La Crosse) were married on 3 October 1939 in Dubuque. Anne had previously graduated from Clarke College in Dubuque and worked as a hospital laboratory technician. The parents of Anne were Harvey Lawrence and Catherine Agnes Moore Schwartz. Anne was also a sister of Raymond Lawrence Schwartz, who married 9.2 Christina Elizabeth Poehling – see above.

Gerhard (Gary) and Anne are enumerated in the 1940 Federal Census. They owned their home valued at $7,000 at 2303 Pine Street in La Crosse City. Gary was recorded as being the manager of ther plumbing supply business. He was an employee, not the owner. His earnings in 1939, working the full year, were $1800. Anne also reported having worked thirty-six weeks and earning $720. This was likely also at the plumbing business.

From her obituary we know Anne assisted Gary in the management of the plumbing business. She was also active in the community, including the church.

Gary passed away in 1998. Anne followed fourteen years later. They are entombed in the St. Francis of Assisi Mausoleum at the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse.



Children: (8)
8.1..... Catherine „Cathy“ Agnes Poehling (*19.12.1940 La Crosse, +16.04.2015 Madison, Dane County, WI)
Edward Joseph Felten (*07.07.1938 Manitowoc, Manitowoc County WI, +26.01.2019 Middleton, Dane WI) and Cathy were wed on 16 June 1962 in La Crosse. Ed's parents were Peter and Adela Stein Felten. Ed graduated from high school in Sheboygan and then the University of Wisconsin with an accounting degree.

Cathy Poehling Felten
Click to enlarge		 Ed Felten
Click to enlarge
First out of college Ed worked for Armour & Co. in the Boston area. They then returned to Madison and worked for Wisconsin Supply. He later retired as CEO of the corporation. During his career he was a co-founder of Bank of Shorewood and served on two other bank boards as well.

Cathy also was an alumna from the University of Wisconsin. Her degree was in Hospital Dietetics. In addition to raising their four children, Cathy was very active in the community. Cathy and Ed were both big Badger rooters.

Ed was called "Bumpa" by his grandchildren, of which there were several. He was known for his fondness for stories and games.

Following retirement Cathy and Ed moved to Sun City West in Arizona. After about ten years they returned to Madison due to Cathy's health. They are entombed in the Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Madison.

Children: (4)
4.1..... Edward W. Felten (*25.03.1963)
Edward Jr. married Laura L. Rakow (*16.08.1963). At last notice they were living in Princeton NJ. Laura was the daughter of Richard Wayne and Nancy Rakow.

4.2..... Ann C. Felten (*03.11.1964)
Matthew „Matt“ R. Dorn (*16.03.1962) and Ann married. They lived in Madison WI.

4.3..... Peter Gerhard Felten (*10.10.1966)
Peter and his partner Sara Walker lived in Elon NC.

4.4..... Mark D. Felten (*10.10.1970)
Mark and his wife Kris lived in Middleton.

Some of the grandchildren of Cathy and Edward Felten are Lizzie, Claire, Stephen, Katie, William, Timothy, and Camille. But we do not know into which families to put them.

8.2..... Dr. Gary George Poehling (*01.05.1942)
In 2019 Dr. Gary Poehling and his wife Sandy Null (*10.09.1942) were living in Winston Salem NC.

Dr. Gary Poehling
Gary received his bachelors degree from Marquette University in 1964 and entered medical school at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He completed the program in 1968, then doing his internship and residency at Duke University Hospital in 1969 and 1970 respectively. His is a knee and hip specialist at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem.

8.3..... Robert „Bob“ C. Poehling (*06.05.1944)
To our knowledge Bob lives in La Crosse and has not married.

8.4..... Nancy E. Poehling (*16.08.1946)
Nancy married Timothy „Tim“ J. Haggerty (*10.07.1946).

8.5..... James „Jim“ M. Poehling (*26.11.1948)
Jim and Xenika Barbara live in Coon Valley. We do not know her maiden name.

8.6..... Mary Janaan Poehling (*25.09.1950)
Mary is wedded to David „Dave“ Scott Prahler (*14.06.1949). They live in La Crosse. Previously they have lived in Alabama and Florida.

8.7..... John Joseph Poehling (*15.06.1953)
John was married on 21 August 1976 in La Crosse to Dixie Lynn Role (*01.09.1955). They have lived in Madison.

8.8..... Joseph „Joe“ Poehling
Joe and Kathryn „Kate“ Anderson married. Kate is the daughter of Dr. Paul and Ruth Ellen Hagensick Anderson. They live in La Crosse.

From the obituary of Anne Elizabeth Poehling in 2008 we know there were nineteen grandchildren and twenty-one great-grandchildren, most of whom are unnamed in the story above. And undoubtedly more now.

9.8..... Philip Henry Poehling (*03.08.1917 LaC-Cty, +20.02.1967 LaC-Cty)
In 1940 at the age of twenty-two Phil was working at his father's plumbing supplies business. We are not aware of his having married. He passed away at the age of forty-nine and was buried in the family plot with his parents.

9.9..... Gertrude J. Poehling (*23.03.1922 La Crosse, +01.06.2004 La Crosse)
On 26 March 1940 Eugene Lambert Weibel (*13.04.1921 Monroe County WI, +27.04.1989 Onalaska, LaC-Cty WI) and Gertrude were married. The parents of Eugene were Raymond J. and Anna E. Heinz Weibel. Raymond J. later married the older sister of Gertrude, 9.4 Catherine Teresa Poehling, see above. So Raymond began as Gertrude's father-in-law and then became also her brother-in-law!

At the time of Gertrude's passing there were seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

Children: (5)
5.1..... Richard „Dick“ Weibel (*19.05.1940, +10.06.2005)
Dick and Tamla R. Severson (*01.10.1954) were married in La Crosse on 25 March 1977. The parents of Tamla were Wesley F. and Joyce M. Carlson Severson.

Tamla and Dick lived in Onalaska in La Crosse County. A place is being held for Tamla with Richard in the Mormon Coulee Memorial Park in La Crosse.

It is possible this was the second marriage for both Tamla and Dick. And that either or both of them had children from previous marriages. The obituary of Dick is not clear regarding several of the people named in the "Spouse and Children" section.

5.2..... Mary Jean Weibel (*23.09.1943 Sparta, + March 2017 North Fort Meyers, Lee FL)
In 1962 Mary Jean and Dale Andrew Hapner Jr. (*21.05.1938, +14.03.1984 Kenosha WI) married. Mary Jean had grown up in the La Crosse area. After their marriage she and Dale lived in Kenosha and then Union Grove. Dale died at the age of forty-five. After Mary Jean retired, she moved to North Fort Myers, Florida.

Mary Jean loved to fish and spend time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Children: (2)
2.1..... Dale Andrew Hapner III (*16.09.1964)
Dale III lives in Union Grove.

2.2..... Lori Hapner
Lori and Rick Gondert live in Sturtevant WI, a little northwest of Kenosha.

The obituary of Mary Jean names several additional people, including spouses: Kari Hapner – Marriage with Trevor Weimer of Racine; Child: Scarlett Weimer; Katie Schulte of Sturtevant; Kyle Schulte of Sturtevant; Kelsey Servais – Marriage with Matt Servais of Racine; and Evan Hapner of Union Grove.

5.3..... Gregory „Greg“ J. Weibel (*08.12.1944)
A place is being held for Greg in the Weibel family plot at the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse.

5.4..... John Weibel
John lives in La Crosse.

5.5..... Jeffrey Weibel
Jeff and his wife Theresa live in La Crosse.

11.2..... Emma Christina Roesler (*16.10.1883 LaC-Cty, +02.07.1971 LaC-Cty)
Emma married 6.1 John William Bahr (*24.03.1881 La Crosse, +26.12.1951 La Crosse). John William was the son of 11.3 Margaret Clements Bahr (1861–1937). For information (Links and images) about Emma Roesler and John Bahr, their marriage and descendants, Click on John's name in the previous sentence and go to their story. Then return to this part of the page to continue with the story of 11.8 Margaret Muenzenberger Hess (1841-1917) and her descendants.

11.3..... William George Roesler (*16.03.1885 La Crosse, +20.11.1956 LaC-Cty)
William took Emma Sybil Kreibich (*05.05.1885 La Crosse, +12.10.1954 La Crosse) for his wife in 1908. Emma was the daughter of Joseph P. and Maria Ann Kunert Kreibich. The Kreibichs were identified as German immigrants in the Census. But in later surveys they were enumerated as being from Czechoslovakia. Borders changed.

In the 1910 Census William and Emma were renting a farm in Greenfield Township. Living with them were Louisa and Albert Beitlich. Louisa was recorded as William's sister-in-law (Emma's sister). Albert as a "servant". It is a challenge to understand why a just married couple would need a servant. Oh well. Albert probably worked on the farm with William. But Emma's first child was born a week after the Census was taken. So perhaps they could have used extra help in the house.

With the entry of the United States into World War I in 1917, William registered for the draft. He was described as being of medium height and build with gray eyes and dark hair.

After the War in 1920 William owned the farm. It appears he bought the property he had been renting, for several of the neighbors were the same as in 1910. This can be seen by looking at the original Census pages in LiveLinks below. Next door to William and Emma was Joseph J. Kreibich, forty-three and single. Undoubtedly this was Emma's older brother. Here the Kreibich parents are shown as coming from Austria. Joseph owned the farm where he lived. It possibly was a small property and he helped William with the farming.

Ten years later William and Joseph still own neighboring farms. The Kreibich parents are shown as coming from Czechoslovakia, as mentioned above. William's farm is recorded as a dairy farm. Most farms in the area were "general" farms. William and Emma have six children in the house, ages seven to nineteen. The farm was located on County Trunk Hwy.

In the 1940 Census the farm is described as being on Highway 2/Evans Road or Route 2/Coon Valley in Greenfield. The farm was valued at $2,000. William, Emma and their daughter Margaret had been educated through the eighth grade. Son Alfred had had three years of high school.

Emma preceded William by two years in passing. She died in 1954 at sixty-nine years of age and was interred in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse, Section 15. William joined her in 1956.

Children: (6)
6.1.....Ernest A. Roesler (*13.05.1910 Greenfield Twp, +14.07.1985 La Crosse County)
Ernest and Verna E. Jungen (*1911, +Feb 1972 La Crosse) married. Henry V. and Clara C. LeJeune Jungen were the parents of Verna.

Note: Verna E. Jungen was the older sister of Orena I. Jungen, who married 8.2 Joseph E. Mikshowsky (1910–2002) – son of 11.5 Bertha Margaret Roesler Mikshowsky (1889–1968) – daughter of of 12.1 Christina Hess Roesler (1860–1945).

In 1940 Ernest and Verna were renting a farm on Highway N, Route I, Coon Valley. Their rent was $12/month for the farm including their home. They had two daughters, ages four and two years. Donald Dwyer Jr. worked on the farm and lived with them. In 1939 Donald, single and age eighteen years, had worked full time, fifty-two weeks, and earned $300. Six dollars a week! The dollars are probably reasonably correct. Perhaps he had worked something less than fifty-two weeks.

Verna passed away in 1972 at the age of about sixty and was interred in the St. Joseph Ridge Catholic Cemetery. She awaited Ernest, who joined her thirteen years later.

Following the death of Verna, Ernest re-married. His wife was Bernice M. Hundt (*06.02.1910 Washington WI, +15.02.1987 La Crosse). Bernice was the daughter of John H. and Emma Kneifl Hundt. She was also a widow. Her first husband Emil Rutz died in 1971. Bernice was buried with her first husband Emil in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Carol Jean Roesler (*1936)
2.2.....Patricia Ann Roesler (*1938)

6.2.....Elizabeth Marcella Roesler (*29.11.1911 Coon Valley, Vernon County, WI, +04.08.1999 La Crosse County)
Elizabeth married Alvin F. Gerke (*28.12.1907 La Crosse WI, +13.01.1982 La Crosse WI). Their story continues in the Gerke branch of the story. To go to Alvin Gerke (*1907) click HERE.

6.3.....Edward G. Roesler (*10.05.1913 La Crosse, +04.01.1963 La Crosse)
Loretta M. Hauser (*21.01.1911 Cashton, Monroe County WI, +04.02.1991 La Crosse) and Edward were married on 26 October 1937 in Monroe County. Loretta was the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Marx Hauser.

The family lived in La Crosse at 2124 13th Place. Edward worked at Allis-Chalmers where he was a superintendant. His employment with A-C spanned twenty-six years.

Edward died young. He was forty-nine years old and buried in Section 25 of the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse. Loretta lived another twenty-eight years, passing in 1991 at the age of eighty.

Children: (5)
5.1.....David Joseph Roesler (*14.10.1938 La Crosse County, +26.12.2005 Madison, Dane County WI)
David and Mary A. Jaekel (*1940) married. It is from the 2005 obituary of David that we are able to identify the family.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Ann Roesler
Ann and Dennis Miller married.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Hannah Miller
2.2.....Bradley Miller

3.2.....Barb Roesler
Barb Roesler married Ron Secord.

Children: (1)
1.1.....Emily Secord

3.3.....Thomas Roesler

5.2.....Thomas Edward Roesler (*27.05.1951, +01.06.1951)
Thomas died four days after his birth. He shares a plot in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse with his parents.

5.3.....Lois Mary Roesler
James Richard Stemper and Lois married. They had seven children and certainly multiple grandchildren.

Children: (7)
7.1.....Kenneth Richard Stemper (*17.08.1962 Houston MN)
7.2.....Robert John Stemper (*26.06.1963 Houston MN)
7.3.....Lisa Marie Stemper (*07.07.1964 Houston MN)
7.4.....Timothy „Tim“ Stemper (*15.06.1965 Caledonia, Houston MN, +12.07.1992 Burnsville MN)
7.5.....Daniel James Stemper (*06.04.1967 Houston MN)
7.6.....Matthew Joseph Stemper (*29.01.1970 Houston MN)
7.7.....Michael Anthony Stemper (*05.04.1971 Houston MN)

5.4.....Jane Marie Roesler (*13.07.1946)
Jane and Glenn Joseph Strittmater (*27.05.1947) married. They have two children, both born in Blue Earth MN in the 1970s. More recently they have lived in Winona MN.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Tad Michael Strittmater (*28.06.1974 Blue Earth MN)
2.2.....Tina Marie Strittmater (*10.11.1976 Blue Earth MN)

5.5.....Joan M. Roesler (*22.06.1954, +16.10.1998)
Joan married a man by the name of Long.

6.4.....Alfred Robert Roesler (*01.05.1916 La Crosse, +28.12.1996 La Crosse)
Alfred married Mildred A. Strupp (*06.03.1916 La Crosse, +20.07.2005 La Crosse).

In 1940 Alfred and his wife Mildred were living with his parents and he was farming, He was 23,

Alfred passed away in 1996 at the age of eighty years. Mildred joined him in 2005 in a crypt in the Mormon Coulee Memorial Park in La Crosse.

6.5.....Marcella Mary Roesler (*12.02.1920 La Crosse, +27.04.2003 La Crosse)
Marcella married into the Dwyer family. More specifically she and John Eugene Dwyer (*06.04.1917, +28.10.1984) were married. The year was before 1940. John was the son of Michael and Caroline Wuensch Dwyer. John then served as a Private First Class in the U.S. Army in World War II.

Numerous Münzenberger descendants married into the Dwyer family. Just looking at John E. Dwyer's siblings we have: Dolores Dwyer (1923–2012) married 4.3 Alois W. Gerke (1922–2004)– son of 11.11 Peter Frederic Gerke (1891–1977) – son of 11.1 Dorothea „Dora“ Clements Gerke; Arlene Dwyer (1929–1981) married 6.2 Alfred William Bahr (1931–2011) – son of 4.1 Edward W. Bahr (1906–1995) – son of 6.1 John William Bahr (1881–1951) – son of 11.3 Margaret Clements Bahr; Arlan (1930–2011) married 13.6 Virginia Anna Klos (1931–1990) – daughter of 6.1 Anna Kirschner Klos (1901–1985) – daughter of 11.3 Christina Dorothea Gerke Kirschner (1879–1960) – daughter of 11.1 Dorothea "Dora" Clements (1857–1919); and John's niece Beverly Dwyer (1950) married 7.1 John E. Roesler (1945–2007) – son of 6.3 Alois E. Roesler (1921–2007) – son of 11.6 Ernest George Roesler (1891–1976) – son of 12.1 Christina Hess Roesler (1860–1945).

In 1940 John and Marcella were renting a farm in Greenfield Twp, Highway 2 - Evans Road / Route 2 Coon Valley. The owner of the land was probably his neighbor and father Michael J. Dwyer (*1894). The rent was $12 per month. They both had completed their educations through the eighth grade.

Marcella and John Dwyer divorced prior to 1958, for in that year John was married to Eva M. Buchholtz (*1926, +1979). John and Eva share a grave.

Marcella lived her later years in Onalaska, La Crosse County. She passed away in 2003. Her family relationships are listed in the transcription of her obituary.

Children: (9)
9.1.....Judy Dwyer
Judy and Jerry Lewandowsky married.

9.2.....Barbara Dwyer
Barbara's husband is Herman Dorschied.

9.3.....Mary Dwyer
Alan Gutche married Mary Dwyer.

9.4.....Patti Dwyer
Patti married Larry Strittmater.

9.5.....Paul Dwyer
Paul's wife is named Pende.

9.6.....Pamela „Pam“ A. Dwyer (*1951)
On 28 August 1974 Pam and Richard A. Erbst (*10.01.1939, +06.11.2008) were married in Winona MN. Richard was the son of John H. and Rachel H. Erbst. Upon his passing Richard shares a grave with his mother.

9.7.....Jackie Dwyer
Jackie and Ralph Blue married.

9.8.....Vonnie Dwyer
Vonnie's husband is Bob Marino.

9.9.....Teri Dwyer
Teri and Bill Timm are married.

6.6.....Margaret Ann Roesler (*04.11.1922 Greenfield Twp, +07.04.2012 La Crosse)
Purple Heart Recipient Vernon Vinson
On 10 April 1949 Vernon Howard „Barney“ Vinson (*27.06.1920 Hudson WI, +17.06.2006 La Crosse) and Margaret married. Earlier in the 1940s Vernon was awarded the Purple Heart for his service in the U.S. Army in World War II.

This a remarkable story, assuming our interpretation of documents is correct. In 1940 a Vernon H. Vinson, age nineteen, was an inmate in a correctional institution in St. Cloud, Minnesota. We know nothing about the circumstances of his incarceration. The only discrepancy in the data is that the Census gives his prior address as "Rural" Huston County, Minnesota. The transcription of his obituary gives it as Hudson County, Wisconsin. It all appears to be Vernon Howard „Barney“ Vinson (*27.06.1920 Hudson WI, +17.06.2006 La Crosse). Houston (not Huston) County MN is on the west bank of the Mississippi River, across from La Crosse WI. Hudson County WI is on the east bank of the Mississippi River, across from Minneapolis/St. Paul MN. But this is the simple part.

Apparently Barney had been stationed in England during the War. For there is documentation of his marriage in 1944 in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, England to a Lillian N. Kell. From this marriage there was one child, Howard Allan „Al“ King (*22.03.1945 Melksham, Wiltshire, England, +08.03.2007 La Crosse).

If this is not all correct, hopefully a family member will report this.

Children: (3) from the marriage of Margaret A. Roesler and Barney Vinson
3.1.....Rosemary „Rose“ Vinson *12.05.1948
Rosemary and her husband Robert „Bob“ J. Lepsch *22.05.1948 have two children and live in La Crosse.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Scott Lepsch
2.2.....Deanna Lepsch

3.2.....Joann Vinson
Joann and William „Bill“ Skrzymowski married.

3.3.....Julie Vinson (*07.01.1957)
Julie and Joseph G. "Joe" Besl *20.09.1957 were married on 30 October 1976 in La Crosse.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Jared J. Besl (*02.04.1981)
3.2.....Jordan Vincent Besl (*16.05.1984 La Crosse, +02.09.2018 La Crosse)
Jordan passed away at the age of thirty-four and was interred in the Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in La Crosse. From his headstone, he must have been a guitar player. From his obituary he had a partner Lydia Grace.

3.3.....Samuel Besl
Samuel's wife is Amanda.

11.4..... Louisa Roesler (*April 1887 LaC-Cty, +)
We know nothing more about Louisa.

11.5..... Bertha Margaret Roesler (*06.05.1889 LaC-Cty, +18.09.1968 LaC-Cty)
Prior to 1910 Bertha and Adolph Peter Mikshowsky (*21.03.1881, +25.07.1965 La Crosse) married.

In 1900 Adolph and his older brother Joseph (*1879) had been living at home with their parents Joseph and Mary Mikshowsky, both immigrants from Bohemia (later to become Czechoslovakia). The Mikshowskys owned their farm in Washington Township with their two sons working it with them. Joseph was nineteen. The original Census pages are available in Live Links at the bottom of this page, under Joseph's name. The immigrations of their parents are interesting. Their father had emigrated in 1863, right in the middle of the Amerikan Civil War. Their mother did not emigrate until 1868, after the War had been over for a few years.

Adolph registered for the U.S. military Draft in 1918. He was described as of medium height and build with blue eyes and brown hair. And no physical disqualifications.

In 1920 Bertha and Adolph owned their farm in Washington Township. The property was mortgaged. Two Hundt families were their neighbors: Arthur (*1889) was renting and Peter (*1881) owned his farm with a mortgage. It is quite possible the mortgage holders were his parents.

The 1930 Census give us more information as to the location of the farm. It was State Trunk Hwy 33. Their neighbor is now Adolph's brother Joseph (*1879).

In 1940 we see that Adolph had completed his education through the 6th grade, Bertha through the 7th. Charlie Kimbell, twenty and single, lived in their home and worked for Adolph on the farm. Neighbors included the Clements (Joseph *1898) and two Hundt families.

Adolph passed in 1965 at the age of eighty-four and was buried in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse, Section 24. Bertha was buried with him three years later as seen above.

Children: (7)
7.1.....Marie E. Mikshowsky (*09.02.1909 Middle Ridge, LaC-Cty, +12.12.1972 La Crosse)
Marie and Bernard Hammes (*26.07.1908 La Crosse, +30.11.1966 Houston MN) were wed on 14 June 1932 in La Crosse. Bernard was the son of August Isidor und Caroline A. Schumacher Hammes.

Bernard's brother Alfonse F. Hammes (*1914) married Marie's sister 7.4 Mildred Mikshowsky (*1920) - see below.

In 1935 (and 1940) Bernard and Marie were renting a home at 1218 Park Avenue in La Crosse for $18 per month. By 1940 their first two children, ages five and two, were in the home. Another older couple, Anthony and Josephine Odell, also were renters at $10 monthly. Bernard had completed his education through the eighth grade, Marie through the seventh. Bernard was a mechanic in an auto garage, reporting earnings of $1,200 for fifty-two weeks in 1939. Their rent, therefore, was 18% of their income.

Bernard died young, at the age of fifty-eight. He was interred in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse, Section 25.

Marie Mikshowsky and Elmer Servais
Click to enlarge
Marie later re-married. Her second husband was Elmer J. Servais (*10.10.1907 Greendale, Milwaukee WI, +25.07.1990 La Crosse), the son of 11.3 Ida Roesler (*Nov. 1887) ∞ Charles Servais (*1882) – daughter of 12.3 Mary Hess (*1887) – More information in that section of the chapter.

There is confusing (and erroneous) information on FindAGrave.com. It gives information of a Marie Donskey Servais (1909-1972), wife of Elmer Servais (1907-1990), being buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery in La Crosse. The headstone is presumably correct. And Marie is probably buried with her second husband Elmer in Woodlawn and not with Bernard, her first. The name on the FindAGrave page, however, says Marie Donskey Servais. Marie (*1909)'s niece Lynn Marie Mikshowsky (*1963) married a Donskey, not Marie (*1909). And to our knowledge Marie (*1963) is still living at the time of this writing. Furthermore, Marie (*1909) is also shown on FindAGrave.com as being buried in Section 25 of the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse. This should indicate she was buried with her first husband Bernard Hammes. But no photograph of a headstone is available for either Bernard or Marie at Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse. And to add to the mystery, there was an obituary for Marie in the La Crosse Tribune giving her death in 1999! If this all sounds confusing, it was very much so researching and writing this paragraph! Some day the family can provide the clarification.

Children: (5)
5.1.....Duane D. Hammes (*27.09.1934, +18.07.1979 La Crosse)
Duane and Carol J. Leuck (*18.01.1934 La Crosse, +13.09.2006 La Crosse) married. Carol was the daughter of Carl J. and Calverna Schams Leuck.

Like his father, Duane died young. He was forty-four years old. He was buried in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse, Section 25. Carol joined him twenty-seven years later.

Children: (5)
5.1.....August Hammes
August's wife is Wendy.

5.2.....Thomas Paul Hammes (*1964)
On 27 August 1988 Thomas and Geraldine „Geri“ Marie Erickson *(26.09.1961) married.

5.3.....Dr. Mary Hammes
Mary and her husband Steve Beltran have a son and a daughter.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Emily Beltran
2.1.....Nicolas Beltran

5.4.....Betsy Hammes
Betsy's husband is David Moore.

5.5.....Jayne Hammes

5.2.....Carol Jean Hammes (*10.02.1938)
Carol and Willard „Willy“ G. Bakkestuen (*30.08.1938 Coon Valley, Vernon County, +06.10.2011 La Crosse) married. The ceremony was on 7 February 1959. Willy was the son of John M. and Maria S. Moen Bakkestuen.

Willie is buried in the Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in La Crosse.

Children: (9)
9.1.....Jean Marie Bakkestuen (*01.09.1958)
Jean's husband is a Broadwater.

9.2.....Daniel „Dan“ Gordon Bakkestuen (*19.06.1960)
Daniel and Rochelle Anne Rusch (*08.05.1959), the daughter of Allan H. Rusch, married. They live in Onalaska.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Darren Bakkenstuen
2.2.....Megan Rusch Bakkenstuen

9.3.....Patricia „Trish“ Ann Bakkestuen (*20.06.1961)
Trish and Carl Ray Foust (*17.07.1961) married in La Crosse on the first of September 1984. Carl is the son of Theodore and Loretta Foust.

9.4.....John W. Bakkestuen (*27.08.1962)
John's wife is Melissa (*12.12.1964).

9.5.....James „Jim“ Bernard Bakkestuen (*29.11.1963)
Mary Kay Saphner (*14.05.1962) married Jim on 24 August 1985 in La Crosse. Mary Kay is the daughter of John William Jr and Mary Rita Kubal Saphner.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Andrew Bakkestuen
2.2.....Wendy Bakkenstuen

9.6.....Susan „Sue“ Carol Bakkestuen (*15.01.1965)
Sue's husband is Dave Keough.

9.7.....Bernard „Bud“ M. Bakkestuen (*02.09.1967, +26.05.2019 La Crosse)
Bud passed unexpectedly at the age of fifty-one.

9.8.....David Paul Bakkestuen *18.12.1968
David married Kimberly Ann Oelkers, the daughter of Gary and Jean Oelkers.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Anna Marie Bakkestuen (*25.01.1999 Ramsey, MN, +04.06.2002 Blaine, Anoka, MN)
Anna Marie died in her third year.

2.2.....Claire Bakkenstuen

9.9.....Robert L. Bakkestuen (*29.06.1970)
Robert's partner is Joy Chial (*1971).

5.3.....Rose Hammes
Rose married Michael Porter.

5.4.....Ann Hammes
Ann's husband is Martin.

5.5.....Bud Hammes
Bud is married to Barb.

Additional grandchildren of Marie Mikshowsky and Bernard Hammes are: Jessica Hammes and Eryn Hammes. We do not know where to place them.

7.2.....Joseph „Joe“ E. Mikshowsky (*23.11.1910 La Crosse County, +09.10.2002 WI)
In 1940 Joe and his wife Orena I. Jungen (*09.01.1913 St. Joseph Ridge, +19.04.2006) were living in La Crosse. They had married on 21 August 1937 in the Catholic Church on St. Joseph Ridge. Orena was the daughter of Henry V. and Clara C. LeJeune Jungen.

Note: Orena I. Jungen was the younger sister of Verna E. Jungen, who married 6.1 Ernest A. Roesler (1910–1985) – son of 11.3 William George Roesler (1885–1956) – son of 12.1 Christina Hess Roesler (1860–1945).

In 1940 for the home at 1509 Mississippi Street in La Crosse they paid monthly rent of $24. They were the parents of their first two children, Dale (2) and Darlene (7 months). Joe and Orena had completed their eighth grade educations. Their rent was $24 per month. Joe was employed as a drill and punch press operator for a wholesale air conditioning company. In 1939 he had worked forty hours, earning $1,099. So their rent represented about 30% of their income.

Also renting space in the house at 1509 were Julius and Adeline Kriese. Their rent was $26/month. They had both completed high school and both worked: Julius as a laborer at a brewery (32 weeks in 1939 and $1,080 earnings); Adeline as a laborer at a motor meter gauge wholesaler (49 weeks in 1939 and $856 in earnings).

Joseph passed away in 2002 at the age of ninety-one and was buried in the Catholic Cemetery on St. Joseph Ridge. His obituary tells about his life after 1940. Orena joined him in the Cemetery four years later.

Children: (5)
5.1.....Dale H. Mikshowsky (*22.01.1938 La Crosse, +09.07.2017 La Crosse)
Dale and Doris M. Gerke (*07.01.1942) married on 12 August 1959 in La Crosse.

Note: 3.1 Doris M. Gerke *07.01.1942 – daughter of 12.4 Leo William Gerke (1912–1994) and Doris M. Roesler (1922–2019) – daughter of 11.6 Frank (1893–1981) and Martha Eggler Roesler –son of 12.3 Mary Hess Roesler (1864–1942) – see below For more Information about this family line of Dale and Doris Mikshowsky – see: 11.1 Dorothea „Dora“ Clements Gerke

Much of his career Dale worked on the family farm while also working for Allis Chalmers. After retirement Dale and Doris spent the winters in Brazoria County, Texas. They volunteered for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department. More of the story can be read in his obituary.

Dale was buried in the St. Joseph Ridge Cemetery in 2017.

Children: (4)
4.1.....Bryan Joseph Mikshowsky (*14.01.1961)
Bryan married Karen Elizabeth Martin (*20.10.1964) on 21 April 1990 in La Crosse.

4.2.....Lori A. Mikshowsky (*07.01.1962)
4.3.....Lynn Marie Mikshowsky (*09.11.1963)
Kirk Eugene Donskey (*02.03.1960) and Lynn were married 4 November 1989 in La Crosse.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Taylor James Donskey (*21.10.1990 Ramsey MN)
2.2.....Claire Elizabeth Donskey (*10.12.1991 Ramsey MN)

4.4.....Lucy J. Mikshowsky (*06.01.1967)
Jerry Alan Mikroberts (*01.02.1965) and Lucy married.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Darius Mikroberts
2.2.....Jarell Alan Mikroberts (*13.06.2000 Ramsey MN)

More grandchildren of Dale and Doris Mikshowsky: Madelyn Mikshowsky, Kenneth Mikshowsky, and Alyxandra Mikshowsky. We don't know into which branch they fit.

5.2.....Darlene Ann Mikshowsky (*01.09.1940)
Frederick „Fred“ B. Zitzner (*23.07.1937), the son of Bernard and Hazel Zitzner, and Darlene married.

Children: (6)
6.1.....William Frank Zitzner (*28.06.1962)
William's wife is Lynette „Lynne“ Therese Ruetten (*07.04.1956)

6.2.....Joseph „Joe“ B. Zitzner (*20.05.1964)
Joseph married Ruth A. Sheldon (*17.09.1965).

6.3.....Lisa Ann Zitzner (*17.11.1965)
Randall „Randy“ Staggemeyer (*06.12.1964) were married 16 November 1985 in Vernon.

6.4.....Ann Marie Zitzner (*25.07.1968)
Ann Marie married Dave Christianson.

6.5.....Sarah J. Zitzner (*25.07.1969)
Sarah's husband is Joel Schultz.

6.6.....Susan Elizabeth Zitzner (*02.09.1970)
In her first marriage she took a Genz. She later re-married. Her husband is Elliot Wickstrom. The ceremony was on the first of March 2004 in Minden, Nevada.

FOLDER 7:

5.3.....Diane C. Mikshowsky (*06.03.1942)




5.4.....




****************** *******************
5.5.....




7.3.....


7.4.....


7.5.....


7.6.....


7.7.....


11.6..... Ernest George Roesler (*20.02.1891 Greenfield, LaC-Cty, +08.07.1976 Shelby, LaC-Cty)




******************
Children: (yy)
yy.1.....


******************
11.7..... Christina Roesler (*22.11.1892 LaC-Cty, +30.11.1892 LaC-Cty




11.8..... Martin Philip Roesler (*22.12.1893 LaC-Cty, +08.11.1987 LaC-Cty)




11.9..... Margaret Wilhelmina Roesler (*15.02.1896 LaC-Cty, +25.02.1999)




11.10..... Josephine Pauline Roesler (*20.11.1898 LaC-Cty, +29.03.1983 LaC-Cty)




11.11..... John Roesler (*23.08.1903 Greenfield LaC-Cty, +1903 Greenfield LaC-Cty)




12.2.....Ernest Hess (*02.03.1861 Greenfield Twp WI, +28.02.1947 La Crosse WI)
Ernest married Bertha Wuensch (*10.06.1868 Greenfield Township, LaC-Cty, +13.04.1946) on 23 November 1886 on St. Joseph Ridge in the Catholic Church. Bertha was the daughter of Franz Joseph and Maria Anna Meisel Wuensch, German emigrants.

We have not found the 1900 Census record for Ernest and Bertha. But in the 1905 Wisconsin State Census they were living in the City of La Crosse. Ernest was an electrician by profession. They had five children (two sons and three daughters) living in the house, ages eighteen to nine.

1024 Denton Street, La Crosse
Click to enlarge
The 1910 Census shows us that they owned their home at 1024 Denton Street in La Crosse. One more child was in the home, Roy at age four and nine years younger than his next older sister Louisa. Ernest was an electrician working at the "street railway" or trolley company. The Census also captured how many children the mother had borne and how many were living at the time of the Census: six of each per the Census. This is clearly in error as 8.3 Willie (*1890) and 8.6 Bertha (*1894) were not recorded in either the 1905 or 1910 Census. They would have been fifteen and eleven respectively in 1905 and been living at home, were they alive. We have found no records of them as adults in later years.

In 1920 only son Roy, age fourteen, remained in the home. Ernest was the Foreman in the Car Barn for the trolley operator.

Note: The resolution on many of the Census pages is extremely poor. By looking at the same Census pages in Live Links (below at the bottom of this page), usually the images are more legible, plus there is more information on the original pages than on the transcribed pages.

Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse
Click to enlarge
1930 was little different. Roy still lived at home. Their home on 1024 Denton Street was valued at $3000. Ernest was sixty-seven and working as a laborer at odd jobs. Roy was working at a "Plow Works".

The last Census they appear in is the 1940. Ernest is a watchman in a Heating Manufacturing Company. He had worked every week in 1939, earning $1100. They still lived in their home on Denton Street.

Bertha passed away in 1946. Ernest followed her ten months later. They are interred in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse, Section 022.

Children: (8)
8.1.....George William Hess (*22.07.1887 La Crosse County, +13.01.1975 La Crosse County
In 1910 George was single, twenty-two, living at home and working as a driver for an express company.

George William and Bessie C. Olson (*23.12.1886 Onalaska, LaC-Cty, +01.02.1970 La Crosse County) married. Bessie was the daughter of Norwegian emigrants. We do not have a record of the marriage. But in 1917 when George registered for the U.S. military draft for World War I, he identified his wife Bessie as his dependent. He also reported he was of medium height and build with blue eyes and brown hair. He was employed as a stock man for a milling company.

From the Census records of 1920, 1930 and 1940 we can see they had no children.

George and Bessie lived in La Crosse City. In 1920 they were renting a home at 411 Adams Street. George was a stock man at a flour mill. Ten years later they were still on Adams. Their rent was $25 monthly. George was the "city salesman" for the company. By 1940 they had bought a home at 2020 Winnebago Street. It was valued at $4,750, one of the higher valued homes in the neighborhood. Their home was a mile or so northeast of George's parents on Denton Street, just south of Market Street. George was now the crew foreman at R&W Feed and Seed.

Bessie preceded George in death by five years. They are buried together in the Onalaska City Cemetery in La Crosse County.

8.2.....Ernest Jr. Hess (*05.07.1890, +17.01.1966)
At age nineteen Ernest Jr. was a tinsmith, working at a hardware store. In 1917, when he registered for the Draft for World War I, he was married. His wife's given name was Elsia Alice (*1895 +1970). We do not know her family name. Ernest was working as a sheet-metal worker at the Adam Kroner Company. They were living at 715 S. 11th Street in La Crosse. He was described similarly to his older brother -- medium, medium, blue and brown. Ernest and George registered on the same day, 5 June 1917.

Ernest was a sheet metal worker his entire career, often working from his home. He and Elsia were renting in La Crosse City during the early 1920s. By 1930 they had purchased a home at 2407 S. 13th Place. It was recorded as having a value of $2,250. They both had completed their education through the eighth grade. Ernest reported that in 1939 he had worked a total of forty-four weeks and earned $1100.

Ernest passed away in 1966 and Elsia four years after. They are buried in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse, Section 022. They had no children.

8.3.....Willie F. M. Hess (*05.07.1890 La Crosse, La Crosse County)
No records have been found for Willie after his birth. He and brother Ernest Jr. were twins. It is quite likely Willie died as an infant, if not at birth. In the 1905 Census he would have been fourteen.

8.4.....Anna Margaret „Maggie“ Mary Hess (*21.05.1892 La Crosse, +1944)
On 21 April 1914 Maggie and Ernest John Bey (*06.02.1892, +11.09.1963 La Crosse County) were wed. If one drills down into the FamilySearch site, there is additional information.

On 5 June 1917, the same day as his brothers-in-law registered for the Draft, Ernest Bey did the same. He and his wife were living at 1025 Redfield Street in La Crosse. They had one child. Ernest worked at National Gauge as a machinist.

Three years later as seen in the Census they had moved to and were renting 1222 S. 14th Street, around the corner from Adams Street.

By 1930 Ernst and Maggie had moved to 1809 S. 16th Street. Their rent was $23 monthly. Ernest was "foreman at a moto-meter equipment company".

The McHenry Family Plot
Click to enlarge
In 1940 they apparently had bought the home on S. 16th. The Census says they were the owners with a value of $3,000. Their two children, now ages twenty-five and twenty-four, were living at home. Their daughter Irene's four year old son Leon also is in the house. In the Census his family name appears as Kulcinski (?). It was actually McHenry. But Irene's husband was not enumerated in the Census.

Margaret passed away in 1944 at the age of fifty-two. She is interred in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse in a family plot of the McHenry family. They are in Section 022. The person composing the record for FindAGrave entered Margaret as Margaret Bey McHenry. This is wrong. As seen in the headstone her name was Margaret Bey. The plot is that of Gerald McHenry, his wife Irene Bey McHenry, their son Leon and Irene's mother Margaret Hess Bey.

Ernest John Bey is interred in the Oak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Irene L. Bey (*28.02.1915 La Crosse, +15.09.2007 La Crosse)
Irene and Gerald Mc Henry (*28.05.1916 Sparta, Monroe County WI, +06.09.1971 La Crosse) married. Gerald was the son of Grover and Margarete Burke McHenry.

Following the death of Gerald in 1971 at the age of fifty-five, Irene re-married. Her second husband was Oswald James Wiggins (*04.06.1908 Walnut Grove, Redwood County MN, +April 1975 La Crosse County), the son of Milon James and Mary Elizabeth McGinn Wiggins. Oswald was also a widower. But he died just a couple of years after he and Irene married.

The death date for Irene comes from an obituary on FamilySearch.org. Irene was interred with her first husband Gerald in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse, together with her mother and her first son Lonnie.

Children: (4)
4.1.....Leon „Lonnie“ W. McHenry (*1935, +1946)
Lonnie died at age eleven. He fell out of a boat and drowned.

4.2.....Jean Ann McHenry (*15.04.1942)
Donald L. „Don“ Roetter (*19.06.1937) and Jean married. For many years they lived in Melrose, Jackson County WI. Melrose is about forty miles northeast of La Crosse.

Children: (4)
4.1.....Dawn Roetter
4.2.....Theresa Roetter
Theresa's husband is Mark McCollogh.

4.3.....Andrew G. Roetter (*13.09.1970)
On 28 November 1998 Andrew and Kellie M. Beckel (*10.02.1972) were married.

4.4.....Nicole J. Roetter (*19.09.1973)
Nicole married Jeffrey J. Gresback (*20.08.1968).

4.3.....Dennis J. McHenry (*Nov. 1948)
Dennis married two times. His first wife was Boa Khiew Oui (*12.03.1945 Mae Ai, Chiang Mai, Thailand, +13.12.2004 Lake Cormorant, Mississippi). Boa was the daughter of Boon Yuan and Gong Kham Yincharoen.

Boa became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1982. Dennis and Boa were living at W. 5791 Meadowlark Lane in La Crosse at the time.

Boa passed away on 13 December 2004 at Lake Cormorant, Mississippi. She was fifty-nine years old.

Following Boa's death Dennis re-married. His second wife was Doreen.

Children: (5)
The first three were the children of Dennis and Boa. The fourth and fifth are perhaps Boa's children from prior to her marriage with Dennis.
5.1.....Laureli A. McHenry (*23.07.1972)
Laureli married Michael Becker.

5.2.....Michael McHenry
Michael's wife is Andrea.

5.3.....Thomas McHenry
Thomas' wife is Jamie.

5.4.....Jaras Phanlek
5.5.....Koon Kham

Grandchildren of Dennis and Boa Khiew Oiu McHenry at the time of Boa's passing were: Leah, Andrew and Drake - all McHenrys.

4.4.....Michael G. McHenry (*10.02.1953)
Mary Stintzi (*1954) and Michael married. The ceremony was on 5 February 1977 in La Crosse. Mary was the daughter of John D. and Elaine Erickson Stintzi.

Michael is a doctor specializing in family medicine in Green Bay WI. Undoubtedly a Packer fan. He received his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1979.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Matt McHenry
2.2.....Megan McHenry

2.2.....Irvine E. Bey (*06.02.1919, +04.04.2006 French Island, LaC-Cty WI)
Irvine and Ruth F. Sheets (*16.03.1922 La Crosse, +19.01.2013) were married 14 September 1940. Soon thereafter Irvine was serving as a Sargeant in the U.S. Army in World War II.

Irvine and Ruth Bey
Click to enlarge
Irvine and Ruth lived long lives: Irvine passed away in 2006 at the age of eighty-seven; followed seven years later by Ruth at ninety. They were interred together in the French Island Cemetery in La Crosse.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Douglas „Doug“ E. Bey (*13.09.1946 La Crosse, +28.06.2009 La Crosse)
Doug grew up and married in La Crosse. His wife was Sandra L. „Sandy“ Braun (*21.11.1946, +28.06.2008). Sandy was the daughter of Wilbert and Delores Hoyer Braun. Sandy was a graduate of La Crosse Central High School.

Doug worked for sixteen years as a draftsman for Trane Company. Sandy worked at Trane as well, for a total of twenty-five years.

Sandy passed away in 2008 at the age of sixty-one. Doug followed her one year later at the age of sixty-two. According to the FindAGrave website, they both passed on the 28th of June. They were interred in the Mormon Coulee Memorial Park in La Crosse.

Children: (1)
1.1.....Kirk Bey (*29.04.1971)
Kirk's wife is Cindy. They live in Onalaska, north of La Crosse.

Children: (1)
1.1.....Nolan

3.2.....Richard James Bey (*05.06.1954)
In 2009 Richard and his wife Diane Marie Gerke (*05.06.1962) were living in La Crosse. They had been married on 4 December 1982 in La Crosse.

Note: 8.8 Diane Gerke is a daughter of 4.2 LeRoy F. Gerke (1917–2006) – son of 11.11.Peter Frederic Gerke (1891–1977) – son of 11.1 Dorothea „Dora“ Clements Gerke (1857-1919) - daughter of 11.6 Christina Muenzenberger Clements (1837-1918). All Information about this family line seen under: 11.6 Christina Muenzenberger Clements (1837-1918).

3.3.....Gary Bey
Gary and Sandy live in Billings, Montana.

As seen in Ruth's obituary, there were additional grandchildren: Stepanie (husband James) Hageman, Eric (wife Becky) Bey, and Bethany, Michael, and Steven Bey; and great-grandchildren Eric, Josef and Jenna Hageman. At this time we are unable to assign them to their respective families.

8.5.....Christine B. Hess (*19.01.1893 La Crosse, +26.01.1961 La Crosse)
Edwin and Christine Hess Erickson
Click to enlarge
In the 1910 Census Christine is enumerated as a single fifteen year old working as a "nurse girl" for a private family.

In about 1912 Christine and Edwin L. Erickson (*27.01.1890 La Crosse County, +21.01.1974 La Crosse County) were married. Edwin was the son of Olaf and Martha Christoferson Erickson, emigrants from Norway.

In 1920 their first daughter was seven. They were renting a home at 921 Jackson Street in La Crosse. Edwin was a foreman in a "plow" factory.

By 1930 they were living in a home which they owned at 2017 Mississippi Street. The home was valued at $3,500, about average for the neighborhood. While most of the neighbors had been born in the United States and many in Wisconsin, their parents had emigrated from Norway, Belgium, Poland and Germany. Edwin was now the superintendant at the "iron factory". He was not a veteran of World War I, perhaps because his employment had been considered essential for the War effort. Their daughter Jeanette, age seventeen, also worked at the factory as a stock clerk. Their daughters Harriet and Dolores can be seen on the next page of the Census in the LiveLinks section at the bottom of this page. Or in the Census transcription.

Edwin reported his income for 1939 as $2,900, one of the highest we have seen in all the Münzenberger cousins at the time. He identified his employer as a "farm implement factory", probably the same company where he had worked for over twenty years.

Christine passed away in 1961 at the age of sixty-eight. Edwin died thirteen years later. He was eighty-three. They were interred in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse.

Children: (4)
4.1.....Jeanette M. Erickson (*1913 La Crosse County, +23.10.1992 La Crosse)
Edward P. Graw (*1912, +18.11.1994 La Crosse) and Jeanette married. Edward was the son of Peter and Anna Schilling Graw.

In 1940 Ed and Jeanette were both twenty-eight. They owned their home at 822 S. 19th Street. It was valued at $4,000. Ed's education was through four years of high school, Jeanette's was two years. Ed was a welder at a farm implement company, likely the same as where his father-in-law was the superintendant. He reported his income for 1939 as $1,872. Jeanette was enumerated as a clerk in a photo-finishing shop but no income was given.

Jeanette preceded Edward in death, passing in 1992 at the age of seventy-nine. Edward followed in two years at eighty-two. They were interred the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse, Section M1 North. More of their family relationships are given in the transcription of Edward's obituary.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Ronald E. Graw (*15.06.1941)
Ronald and Sharon E. (*1944) married. They live in La Crosse.

2.2.....Linda A. Graw (*03.06.1949)
Linda's husband is Douglas J. Dodd (*08.11.1948). They live in Oshkosh, Winnebago County WI.

Grandchildren of Jeanette and Edward Graw: Brian, Steven, Amy and Danny.

4.2.....Harriet M. Erickson (*05.03.1917, +13.03.2005)
Harriet married Ralph C. „Babe“ Dawson Sr (*30.07.1915, +12.06.2001 La Crosse), the son of George and Bertha Deckert Dawson.

In 1940 Harriet and Babe were renting at 806 S. 9th in La Crosse City, an address which they shared with the Lemke family. Their rent was $28 monthly. They had both completed their high school educations. Babe worked on a farm, earning $1,222 for the fifty-two weeks of the prior year.

Their remains are in a crypt at the Woodlawn Cemetery in La Crosse. The birth and death dates for Harriet come from the SSDI.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Ralph C. „Buck“ Dawson Jr
2.2.....Dee Dawson

Additional family members identified in the transcription of the obituary for Ralph "Babe" Dawson, Sr. at GenealogyBank: Kris, Greg Hall, Ava Hall, Jeffrey (wife Elizabeth) Dawson, David (wife Jeni) Shogren, Meeghan (husband Scott) Aimone, Sophia Aimone, and Jordan and Connor Dawson.

4.3.....Dolores R. Erickson (*24.06.1920, +15.11.1990 Baker, Florida)
Dolores married a man by the name of Wilson. Dolores passed away at the age of seventy in Baker, Florida. In the right column she is identified as Dolores Erickson Wilson.

4.4.....Janice Erickson (*25.05.1930)
Janice and Richard A. Deml (*11.08.1928) married. They probably had children and live in Onalaska, La Crosse County. A probable son is Richard A. Deml (*1948) who lives in La Crosse and a grandson Richard A. Deml (*1977) in New Berlin WI.

8.6.....Bertha Hess (*19.06.1894 La Crosse)
Bertha is not enumerated in the 1905 or 1910 Census with the family. She would have been eleven years old in 1905. She most likely was deceased.

8.7.....Louise Minnie Hess (*30.06.1896 La Crosse, +05.12.1975 La Crosse County)
Louise and Herbert Charles Keller (*1894 Wi, +1972 La Crosse County) married. We have no record of the ceremony. Herbert was the son of German emigrants.

Herbert and Louise Hess Keller
Click to enlarge
Louise and Herbert lived in La Crosse City. In 1920 they were renting a home. He was working as a machinist. Louise did not work.

By the time of the 1930 Census they had purchased a home. The address is entered as 1556 Denton Street. The home was valued at $4,000. They owned a "radio set". Their sons Robert and Howard were nine and five, respectively. Herbert worked as a Dye Maker for Northern Engraving. He was not a WWI veteran.

The 1940 Census gives their address as 1582 Denton. Had they moved down the street a couple of houses? There is no 1556 in the 1940 Census. Either they had moved a couple of houses, or the house number was incorrectly entered in either the 1930 or 1940 Census. Their neighbors, the Prgywojskis, Wurzels, Niedercorns and Lusks were all the same. Herbert's vocation was entered as a tool maker for Auto Gauge Company. In 1939 he had worked every week, earning $2,300.

Herbert passed away in 1972 at the age of about seventy-nine. He was laid to rest in the Woodlawn Cemetery in La Crosse. Three years later Louise joined him. Also in their gravesite is their son Robert and his wife Doris, as well as Doris's mother Sylvia E. Bills (1901-1989).

Children: (3)
3.1.....Robert C. Keller (*06.05.1920, +16.01.1990)
Robert, nineteen years old in 1940, earned $400 in forty weeks of 1939. He was a delivery boy for an office supply business.

Robert and Doris C. Bills (*1921) married. They were the parents of three daughters and a son.

We do not have a death record for Doris. She probably passed away before 1985 for Robert re-married at that time. His second wife was Emily Callaway (*09.04.1925 Readstown WI, +0.07.2012 Verona WI). This was Emily's second marriage of three.

Robert died five years later in 1990 and was interred in the Woodlawn Cemetery in La Crosse in the family plot. As seen above in the Headstone of Herbert and Louise Hess Keller, it was inscribed for Doris to be buried with them as well. But no death date was ever added. Doris's mother is also buried with them.

Children: (4)
4.1.....Nancy Keller
Nancy married Robert Burcum.

4.2.....Susan Kay Keller (*14.08.1947 La Crosse, +07.09.2012)
Susan and Donald Mathison married and had two sons, one of whom appears to have married Mary Brzezinski.

This was probably Susan's second marriage, as her first son has the family name of Litscher.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Michael Litscher
3.2.....Bryan Mathison
3.3.....Todd Mathison

Robert and Doris had two great-grandsons, Jonathan and Austin Mathison. It is not known from which grandson they descend.

4.3.....Kathy Keller
Kathy married two times. Her first husband was John Rogers. Her second was Philip Carpenter. We know of no children.

4.4.....James R. „Jim“ Keller
Jim's wife is Debra „Debbie“.

3.2.....Howard Herbert Keller (*28.09.1924 WI, +29.11.2013 OR)
Edwin and Christine Hess Erickson
Click to enlarge
Howard was seventeen when the United States entered World War II. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Howard and Nancy Eleanor Bevan (*15.09.1936 New York, +31.08.2002 Eugene, Lane, OR) married. Nancy was the daughter of James Martin and Wilhelmina Fern Reinhart Bevan. In a prior marriage Nancy had a daughter Linda Lee Forcia (1956-2011).

3.3.....Kenneth Keller (*1932)

8.8.....Roy Adolph Hess (*12.07.1905 La Crosse, +1955)


12.3.....Mary Hess (*13.03.1863 Greenfield Twp WI, +29.05.1942 La Crosse WI)
Mary married Herman Roesler.

12.4.....Emma Hess (*14.11.1865 Greenfield Twp WI, +09.03.1896 La Crosse WI)
Emma married Peter Dengel.

12.5.....Louise Hess (*01.09.1867 Greenfield Twp WI, +13.12.1957 La Crosse WI)
Louise married John Lucas.

12.6.....George Hess (*01.08.1869 Greenfield Twp WI, +20.08.1920 La Crosse WI)
George married Margaret "Maggie" Frisch (*23 Jul 1882 St. Joseph Ridge) . Their wedding was on 12 November 1901 in the Catholic Church in St. Joseph Ridge.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Margaret Mary Hess (*12.09.1903 Greenfield Twp, +06.09.1990 Eau Claire WI)
Margaret Mary married Theodore W "Ted" Hanson (*19.07.1905 City Point, Jackson County WI, +04.01.1971 La Crosse) on 15 September 1924 in La Crosse.

Children: (2)
3.1.....Gregory John Hanson (*06.11.1924 La Crosse, +22.08.1999 Minneapolis MN)
Little is known about Gregory's wife Katherine Ann Fanning (*abt 1925 Wisconsin).

Children: (5)
1.5.....Hugh Thomas Hanson (*11.03.1950 La Crosse County)
2.5.....Mary Irene Hanson (*10.12.1952 La Crosse)
3.5.....Peter Gregory Hanson (*11.07.1954)
4.5.....Kathryn " Katie" Hanson (*24.01.1960 Hopkins MN)
5.5.....Ann Louise Hanson (06.02.1962 Edina MN)

3.2.....Donald Eugene Hanson (*03.06.1930 La Crosse)
3.3.....Maxine Ann Hanson (*11.05.1936 La Crosse)
Maxine and Richard Clayton Weber (*18.01.1934 Iowa) married. They had two children,

Children: (2)
2.1.....Stephanie Ann Weber (02.04.1966 Eau Claire WI)
In her first marriage Stephanie was wed to Todd Larson. They had one son. They divorced and Stephanie married Randy David Lueck (*01.03.1969 Osseo, Trempealeau County WI) on 18 June 1994 in Eau Claire.

Children: (3)
Children with Todd Larson:
3.1.....Jonathan William Larson (*18.08.1986 Aurora IL)

Children with Randy Lueck:
3.2.....Alexander David Lueck (*12.07.1995 Hamilton MT)
3.3.....Margaret "Maggie" Christina Lueck (*20.02.1998 (Eau Claire WI)

2.2.....Teresa Kay Weber (*11.09.1969 Eau Claire WI)
Teresa and Steve La Barge) married.

Children: (2)
1.2.....Bailey La Barge (*13.06.1997 Eau Claire WI)
2.2.....Benjamin James La Barge (*25.03.2000)

3.2.....Angeline Emma Hess (*26.03.1909 Greenfield Twp, +24.01.1967 La Crosse)
3.3.....Genevieve Christine Hess (*09.06.1910 St Josephs Ridge, +04.10.1997 La Crosse)
On 14 June 1946 in La Crosse Genevieve and Ralph Mattison (*09.11.1913 Pierce WI, +14.02.1998 La Crosse) married.

Children: (1)
1.1.....Mary Margaret Mattison (*21.07.1946 La Crosse, +27.04.2022 La Crosse)
Mary and Kent Norman Anthony Rotering (*18.04.1946 Wabasha MN).+13/06.2012 La Crosse) were married in La Crosse on 20 April 1968.

Children: (1)
1.1.....Angeline Mary Rotering (*24.10.1972 La Crosse)
In La Crosse Scott Edward Elliott Rhodes (*13.10.1974 Kenosha WI) married.

12.7.....Regina Hess (*07.09.1871 Greenfield Twp WI, +17.01.1874 La Crosse WI)
12.8.....Henry Hess (*08.01.1875 Greenfield Twp WI, +04.06.1877 La Crosse WI)
12.9.....John Hess (*24.10.1876 Greenfield Twp WI, +06.03.1877 La Crosse WI)

12.10.....Philip Justus Hess I (*26.12.1877 Greenfield Twp WI, +04.06.1962 La Crosse WI)
In 1900 at the age of twenty-two Philip was single, living at home and working on his father's farm.

The following year Philip and Magdalena Justin (*28.09.1877, +12.09.1908) were wed on 19 February 1901. The marriage record has the location as Bishops Chapel, La Crosse County. The Chapel was most likely in the St. Joseph Ridge Catholic Church, as both parties had been born and raised in Greenfield Township. The record also shows her given name as "Helena", either a nickname of or mistake from her given name of Magdalena.

On FamilySearch.org there is a family sheet showing the Justin family. We will assume it is reasonably accurate. It shows Magdalena as being a twin with Luisa Justin and a birthyear of 1878. Her grave headstone gives 1877. Regardless, Luisa and Magdalena appear to be the tenth and eleventh children of fifteen born to Magdalena C. Clements (*1840) and Emil Justin, six of whom died before becoming teenagers. In fact, if you were a Justin and lived into your teens you were probably destined to have a long life. Magdalena was the exception. She passed away at age thirty. One of her brothers at fifty-one, and the other seven siblings lived past eighty years! Three lived into their nineties, unusual for people born in the nineteenth Century.

In 1905 they owned their home in the Seventh Ward of the city of La Crosse. Most of their neighbors were renting. Philip's occupation appears to be a "car builder". Living with them, in addition to their first two children, was Magdalena's younger sister Sabina, a sixteen year old. Sabina worked outside the house.

Five years later the Census tells us more about Philip's life and job. He was a laborer for the street car company. He had moved and now owned the home at 1333 Winnebago in La Crosse. Magdalena had passed away two years earlier, leaving Philip with three kids, ages 6, 4 and 2.

Following the death of Magdalena, Philip married Anna M. Sausel (*09.02.1885, +26.11.1973). Their wedding was on 18 May 1909, six months after the death of Magdalena. As related above, Anna had been adopted into Philip's family by his parents Martin and 11.8 Margarete Münzenberger Hess. See above. Together Philip and Anna had one child, a daughter Louise Christine Hess (*1912).

By 1920 Philip and Anna had given up city life and bought a farm in Greenfield Township in La Crosse County. This can be seen by looking at the original Census page in LiveLinks at the bottom of this page. The oldest daughter Hilda was eighteen, the youngest and the only child of Anna was Louise at seven.

Ten years later Philip Jr. and Louisa were the only children still at home. Philip was twenty-four and single. He worked on the farm with his father.

In the 1940 Census no more kids lived at home. Philip was sixty-two and Anna fifty-five. The neighbors included the Bahr, Clements, Schams, Gilles and Hansen families.

Philip passed in 1962 at the age if eighty-four. He died in Sparta, Monroe County WI. He was interred in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse, in the family plot at gravesite #8 with Magdalena. Anna followed Philip eleven years later and joined Philip and Magdalena in gravesite #8.

The Hess Family Plot
Click to enlarge		 Magdalena Justin Hess
Click to enlarge		 Philip Justus Hess
Click to enlarge		 Anna Sausel Hess
Click to enlarge
Children: (4)
Children with Magdalena Justin (3):
4.1.....Hilda Magdalena Hess (*06.12.1901 Greenfield LaC-Cty, +15.08.1995 LaC-Cty)
Hilda married Lawrence Simon Bates (*09.12.1897 Cashton, Monroe County WI, +10.11.1963 Cashton) on 9 May 1922. Some of the documentation about Lawrence gives his birth year as 1898, rather than 1897. It is not known which is correct, but 1897 is assumed.

Lawrence and Hilda Hess Bates
Click to enlarge
In 1930 they were farming on County Trunk D in Jefferson, Monroe County. They rented the property. They had four children: a daughter and three sons. Lawrence's brother Ralph was living with them and working on the farm

By 1940 they had moved to Vernon County where they were renting another farm in Clinton. All of their five children were living at home. They ranged in age from seventeen to ten.

Lawrence passed away in 1963 at the age of sixty-six. Hilda followed him thirty-two years later. They are interred in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Cashton.

Children: (5)
5.1.....Kathleen Margaret Bates (*12.03.1923, +28.02.2007)
Charles and Kathleen Bates Rolph
Click to enlarge
Kathleen and Charles Frederick Rolph Jr (*27.04.1924, +10.01.1991) married on 27 December 1949. Charles was from Oshkosh WI. They both had served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Charles enlisted and was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps. Kathleen was a First Lieutenant in the Army.

Charles and Kathleen were interred in the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove, Racine WI.



Children: (2)
2.1.....Charles Fredrick Rolph (*13.12.1950)
Charles' wife is believed to be Marcy A. (*29.09.1949)

2.2.....John Lawrence Rolph (*27.03.1954)
John has married twice. His first wife's family name was Mack. They were married in Milwaukee on 19 July 1975.

John re-married on 13 May 1995 in Door County, Wisconsin. His wife is Carolyn A. Young (*1952).

The given names of the grandchildren of Kathleen and Charles are Andrew, Liz, Matthew, Emily and Adam.

5.2.....James Philip Lawrence Bates (*07.08.1924 Cashton, Monroe County, +20.07.1995 Waukesha WI)
James and Gladys Haugen Bates
Click to enlarge
James and Gladys Lillian Haugen (*01.12.1926 Melvina, Monroe County WI, +23.09.1997 Galesville, Trempealeau WI) married on 28 December 1946. The parents of Gladys were Melvin O. and Ida E. Lee Haugen.

James and Gladys both lived into their seventies. They were interred in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Cashton. The obituary on FamilySearch.org of Gladys gives many of her Haugen relatives.

Children: (5)
5.1.....Michael James Bates (*31.12.1947)
Michael's wife is Barbara.

5.2.....Kenneth Lester Bates (*10.08.1950)
Ken and Janet Lynne Matz were married 3 January 1971. They divorced and Ken later married Kimberly „Kim“ Jan Van Berkum (*25.05.1953). The wedding was on 17 April 1987 in Green Lake WI. In 2001 they were living in Schaumburg, Cook County IL.

5.3.....Cynthia Ann Bates (*25.06.1951)
Cynthia married John Edward Martin in 1971. They later divorced.

In a second marriage she and William Patrick Nickolai (*19.01.1952) were wed. The ceremony was on 23 April 1983 in Kenosha.

5.4.....Jerry Patrick Bates (*17.03.1954)
Darlene E. Voeltz (*1954) became Mrs. Darlene Bates on 28 June 1985 in Waukesha WI.

5.5.....Laura Ann Bates (*27.12.1959)
Edward „Ed“ L. Haberstroh married Laura. They recently lived in Waukesha WI.

5.3.....John Sylvester Bates (*12.01.1926)
John and Maxine Cavadini Bates
Click to enlarge
John married Maxine Margaret Cavadini (*01.04.1928, +07.06.2005 West Salem WI). The wedding was 15 June 1948.

Maxine's extended family is identified on FamilySearch.org. John and Maxine lived in Onalaska.

Children: (5)
5.1.....John David „Johnnie“ Bates (*05.04.1949)
Kathleen „Kathy“ Marie Lahner (*1948) and John married in Eau Claire WI on 22 August 1992. It is probable that this was the second marriage for John, as seen by a record in the Wisconsin Marriage Index from seventeen years earlier. The 1975 wedding was also in Eau Claire.

5.2.....Robert „Bobbie“ Charles Bates (*08.07.1950)
On the 28th of August 1982 in La Crosse Bobbie and Clarissa Ann Erickson (*15.07.1960) were married.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Ashlee Elizabeth Bates
Ashlee's husband is a Kramer.

2.2.....Chelsee Lynn Bates

5.3.....David James Bates (*13.10.1952)
David and Jacqueline R. Ottman (*27.04.1953) were married in 1975. The wedding was in Pierce County WI on 9 August. More recently they were living in Onalaska.

Children: (1)
1.1.....Paul D. Bates

5.4.....Lynette Ann Bates (*07.10.1954)
Lynette and Mark J. Jirschele (*24.09.1956) married. The ceremony was the fifteenth of July 1978 in Jackson County WI.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Jacob „Jake“ Jirschele
3.2.....Camren „Camie“ Rose Jirschele
3.3.....Jillian Marie Jirschele

5.5.....Nancy Jean Bates (*08.10.1958)
On 19 June 1982 in Eau Claire, Nancy and Mark Philip Schoenfeldt (*09.09.1957) were wed.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Brandon Schoenfeldt
2.2.....Lauren Schoenfeldt

5.4.....Victor Philip Bates (*27.01.1928 Cashton, Monroe County WI, +08.05.1981 Reedsburg, Sauk County WI)
Bonnie Weber Bates
Click to enlarge
Victor and Bonnie J. Weber (*22.06.1942) married on 15 April 1972. They had no children.

Victor was interred in the Calvary Cemetery in Reedsburg.

5.5.....Lawrence Ralph "Larry" Bates (*14.04.1930 Cashton, Monroe County WI, +17.12.2014 Owatonna, Steele County MN)
Larry and Janet „Jan“ Katherine Kuss (*27.10.1932 River Falls, Pierce Couny WI, +13.12.2013 Owatonna, Steele County MN) married. The ceremony took place 4 November 1952. The parents of Janet were Herman F. and Betty Caldwell Kuss.

Larry served as an aviation electrician in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. Their wedding was at the Jacksonville FL Naval Air Station. He then graduated from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in 1957

Jan was an avid sports fan, swimmer and seamstress. She loved Jazz. She worked at various times in bookkeeping and sales. She suffered for most of her life from lymphedema.

Jan passed away in 2013 and was interred in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Owatonna. She was eighty-one. Lawrence joined her the following year.

Lawrence Ralph Bates
Click to enlarge		 Janet, at an earlier time
Click to enlarge		 Janet Kuss Bates
Click to enlarge		 Larry and Jan Bates
Click to enlarge
Children: (6)
6.1.....Stephen James Bates (*02.11.1953)
On 24 August 1974 Stephen and Gail Ann Follet (*13.05.1953) were married in St. Croix WI.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Stephen „Steve“ Robert Bates (*05.12.1977 Hennepin MN)
2.2.....Mary Gretchen Bates (*24.04.1980)
Coach Kent Getzlaff
Mary's husband is Kent Ryan Getzlaff (*05.11.1979), the son of Dennis and Bernie Getzlaff. Kent was a high school teacher and basketball coach at Woodbury High and South St. Paul High before going on the coaching staff at Concordia University, his alma mater.

6.2.....Barbara Jo Bates (*21.12.1955)
Barbara married Randy Lee Christey (*25.03.1956 Steele MN). They had two children. They divorced in 1991.

In a second marriage Barbara and Dani Raymond Wurst (*13.06.1957 Mower MN) were wed. Dani was the son of Joseph Raymond and Shirley Jean Cox Wurst.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Erin Marie Christey (*08.12.1979 Olmsted MN)
2.2.....Joseph Lawrence Christey (*20.06.1984) Steele MN)

6.3.....Susan Kay Bates (*01.04.1957)
Susan's husband is Jonathan David Shapiro (*14.04.1955). They live in Plano TX, north of Dallas.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Jeffrey Alan Shapiro (*09.05.1986 Dallas TX)
2.2.....Lauren Elizabeth Shapiro (*28.12.1989 Dallas TX)

6.4.....Allen Patrick Bates (*22.02.1960)
Penny E. Perrault (*06.07.1960 Hennepin MN) and Allen married. The parents of Penny are Robert William and Ellen Barbara Peterich Perrault. The ceremony was in Hennepin County (Minneapolis) on 26 September 1987.

Children: (4)
4.1.....Madison Mackenzie Bates (*23.11.1990 Hennepin MN)
4.2.....Hunter P. Bates (*12.10.1992 Hennepin MN)
4.3.....Beau Macmillan Bates (*09.08.1994 Hennepin MN)
4.4.....Bentley Alexis Bates (*09.04.1997 Hennepin MN)

6.5.....Philip Thomas Bates (*05.12.1961)
Patricia „Tricia“ Karen Sampson (*05.12.1960) married Philip in Clay County MN. The wedding was on 6 September 1986.

Children: (1)
1.1.....David „Davis“ Hamilton John Bates (*03.02.1992 Potter TX)

6.6.....Bruce Anthony Bates (*08.06.1964)
Bruce's wife is Tracy.

At the time of their passing Larry and Jan Bates were the grandparents of twelve and great-grandparents of three.

4.2.....Martin Julius Hess (*24.09.1903 LaC-Cty, +18.04.1950)
Martin Julius Hess
Click to enlarge		 Irene Schams Hess
Click to enlarge
Martin married Irene Teckla Schams (*19.02.1907 Greenfield Twp LaC-Cty, +2001) on 10 May 1927. Irene was the daughter of Willie Schams, an emigrant from Czechoslovakia. Her mother Anna Meinerz Schams had been born in Wisconsin.

Note: Irene Teckla Schams’ brother William John Schams (1900–1975) married 8.5 Mathilda Marie Gilles (1896–1959), daughter of 11.4 Louisa M. Clements Gilles (1862–1953), see above.

Martin and Irene first appeared in the 1930 U.S. Federal Census. They owned their home on County Trunk YY in Greenfield Township. It was valued at $1,000. It was not a farm. Martin's employment was as a patrolman for the road maintenance crew.

By 1940 they had sold their home and bought a farm on County Highway M, #76, on St. Joseph Ridge. It was valued at $1,500. Martin was a full time farmer, reporting $1,050 income in 1939. This was unusual. Most farmers showed no reported income in the Census. They enumerated six children, plus Herman Rust, a thirty-six year old hired hand who lived with them. Their neighbors were the families of Frank Roesler (*1895), George Roesler (*1889), Edwin Wuensch (*1890), and Rudolph Clements (*1900), plus many others whose names do not appear as frequently in the Münzenberger story.

Children: (9)
9.1.....Mary Ann Kathryn Hess (*09.03.1928, +2018)
Mary Ann and George L. Rogers (*03.01.1922, +2015) married on 1 June 1948.

The Rogers are buried in a family plot in the St. Joseph Ridge Catholic Cemetery.

Children: (6)
6.1.....Jane Kathryn Rogers (*15.05.1949)
Jane and Lawrence E. Liebl (*09.01.1946) were married 20 April 1968. They first lived in La Crosse before moving to Onalaska WI.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Larry Liebl (*18.08.1968)
In 2009 Larry Jr. was living in Weston, Marathon County WI.

3.2.....Becky Ann Liebl (*18.08.1969)
On 18 October 1991 in La Crosse Becky and Brian Cletus Weibel (*10.02.1969) married.

Five years later on 14 September Becky was married to Richard Henry Klukas (*1972) in La Crosse. They lived in Holmen, LaC-Cty.

3.3.....Kathryn Jane Liebl (*25.10.1971)
Kathryn married a man by the name of Rolff.

6.2.....John Louis Rogers (*1952, +25.08.1952 La Crosse)
John, the second child, died as an infant.

6.3.....David George Rogers (*04.11.1953)
David married Susan McCoy (*~1958) on 22 May 1976 in La Crosse.

In a second marriage David and Wanda Adriane Covey (*27.04.1959) were wedded on 17 September 1994. In 2002 they were living in West Salem, LaC-Cty.

6.4.....Mark Thomas Rogers (*25.11.1955)
In 2009 Mark was living in Galesville, Trempealeau County WI. Previously he had lived in West Salem.

6.5.....Timothy John Rogers (*28.04.1958)
In 2009 Tim lived in La Crosse.

6.6.....Sara Lynn Rogers (*28.11.1962)
Sara Lynn and Robert Alan Stelloh (*17.01.1961) were married in La Crosse on 3 September 1983. They lived in Onalaska north of La Crosse.

9.2.....Lucille Irene Hess (*09.05.1930, +08.03.2012 La Crosse)
Lucille married Herbert G. Schmidt (*25.10.1928 La Crosse, +15.04.2012). The ceremony was on 14 October 1950. Herbert was the son of Casper and Sophie Schmidt. They both were graduates of Aquinas High School, two years apart.

Lucille's and Herbert's lives were full and action-packed. Much of her story is well told in her obituary. She was known for her apple pies, among many other things! And Herbert's obituary as well. Herbert's profession was driving truck, which he loved. But also enjoying a good cigar and traveling.

Herbert passed away three weeks after Lucille, she at age eighty-one and Herbert at eighty-three. They had been married sixty-one years. They are entombed together in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse.

Children: (7)
7.1.....Randy John Schmidt (*26.04.1952, +03.09.1997)
Randy died at the age of forty-five in 1997 and was interred in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse.

7.2.....Catherine Ann Schmidt (*04.12.1954)
Catherine and James H. "Jim" Jambois (*03.07.1954) were married on 12 April 1980. They have lived in Onalaska and Kenosha WI.

Children: (2)
2.1.....John Philip Jambois (*07.09.1982)
After growing up in Onalaska John has lived in Wauwatosa and Milwaukee WI.

2.2.....Ann C. Jambois (*18.08.1984)
In her twenties Ann lived in St. Louis MO.

7.3.....Thomas George Schmidt (*14.10.1956)
Thomas married Gay Lynn Thomas (*19.01.1957) on 16 August 1980 making the third wedding in the family in the year 1980! At the time of the millenium they were living in Genoa in Vernon County WI.

Children: (2)
2.1.....David Thomas Schmidt (*20.07.1981)
2.2.....Stephan Thomas Schmidt (*12.05.1983)

7.4.....Mary Lucille Schmidt (*15.08.1958)
Mary married Daniel Irvin Johnson (*19.11.1955) on 7 June 1980.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Michael James Johnson (*20.03.1989 Winona WI)
2.2.....Jacob Peter Johnson (*15.12.1994 Winona WI)

7.5.....Joseph Edward Schmidt (*14.04.1960)
Joe and Nancy Lou Johnston (*16.12.1953) were married on 11 October 1986 in La Crosse. They live in La Crosse.

7.6.....Karen Rose Schmidt (*10.04.1963)
John Gerard Case (*23.12.1958) and Karen Rose were married 12 October 1991 in La Crosse. In the early 2000s they were living in South Bend IN.

7.7.....Laura Schmidt (*29.10.1967, +29.10.1967)

9.3.....Paul Philip Hess (*10.06.1932 La Crosse, +17.10.2011 LaC-Cty)
Paul Philip and Dorothy Smith Hess
Click to enlarge
Paul Philip and Dorothy Smith Hess
Click to enlarge
Following graduation from Aquinas High, Paul entered the U.S. Air Force in 1952. He served for four years, completing his service as an Airman First Class.

While he was stationed at Holloman Air Base near Alamogordo he met his future wife. Paul and Dorothy Ann Smith (*20.12.1937 Los Palomas, New Mexico, +28.09.2011 La Crosse) married on 4 August 1956. Dorothy was the daughter of Clay Lyman and Alice Rosetta Gililland Smith. They met at a dance hosted for servicemen.

Paul's career was largely at the La Crosse Boiling Water Reactor, a nuclear power plant which was decommissioned in 1987. He retired in 1992 at the age of sixty. Beekeeping was one of his numerous passions together with his enjoyment of Packers and Brewers games. Dorothy worked for Land-O-Lakes and later for Anderson Moving. In addition to the beekeeping, some of her loves were quilting and world travel.

Paul and Dorothy were very active in the St. Joseph Ridge Catholic Church.

Paul passed away in October of 2011, three weeks after Dorothy had passed. They are interred together in the St. Joseph Ridge Catholic Cemetery. The obituaries of Dorothy, parts one and two, and Paul tell a more complete story of their lives. They had been married for fifty-five years. At the time of their deaths they had seventeen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Children: (6)
6.1.....Annette Jean Hess (*18.06.1957)
Annette and Michael P. Langen (*26.06.1951) married. They have lived in La Crescent MN, Osseo WI and La Crosse.

6.2.....Lois Ann Hess (*24.07.1958)
Patrick J. "Pat" Connolly (*11.02.1958) married Lois on 18 September 1982. They have lived most of their married years in Waukesha WI, just west of Milwaukee.

6.3.....Linda Irene Hess (*22.11.1959)
Linda was married to Richard Todd Jones (*27.07.1958) in La Crosse on 18 May 1985. They have lived in La Crosse since.

6.4.....Carol Alice Hess (*02.11.1963)
Thomas Patrick Saxton (*24.03.1963) and Carol Ann married. The ceremony was in La Crosse on 24 August 1985. They have lived in Holmen and West Salem since.

6.5.....Gary Martin Hess (*29.09.1965)
Gary and Mary Jo Antony (*19.07.1970) were married in a ceremony in La Crosse on 5 July 1997. They live in Bangor LaC-Cty.

6.6.....Arlene Sue Hess (*13.09.1966)
Jeffrey Brian Vangalder (*~1968) married Arlene on 7 July 1990. The service was in La Crosse.

Children: (4)
4.1..... Hannah Rose Vangalder (*12.07.1991 Olmsted MN)
4.2..... Alexander Jeffey Vangalder (*13.12.1992 Olmsted MN)
4.3..... Charles Victor Vangalder (*05.07.1995 Olmsted MN)
4.4..... Aaron Paul Vangalder (*22.09.1996 Olmsted MN)

9.4.....Daniel William Hess (*13.10.1933, +29.08.2008)
Daniel and Geraldine "Geri" Viola Schroeder (*17.02.1934) were married.

Dan and Geri lived many years in Coon Valley. In their later years they may have moved into La Crosse. Dan passed away at the age of seventy-four. He joined many of his family in the St. Joseph Ridge Catholic Cemetery.

Children: (6)
6.1.....Therese Marie Hess (*17.07.1955)
Therese and John S. Pedace Jr. (*20.02.1954) married on 4 June 1977. The ceremony was in La Crosse.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Angela Therese Pedace (*17.01.1981)
3.2.....Anna Pedace
3.3.....Jonathan Pedace

6.2.....Janet "Jan" Marie Hess (*25.10.1957)
Janet and David "Dave" Arnold Belmore (*11.07.1956 Hennepin Cty MN) married. The wedding was 22 October 1983 in La Crosse. Dave is the son of Arnold and Gertrude Trehaar Belmore.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Brianna Marie Belmore (*16.07.1988 Hennepin Cty MN)
2.2.....Natalie Anne Belmore (*18.12.1991 Ramsey MN)

6.3.....Donald Paul Hess (*14.04.1959)
Don and Sandra Joan "Sandy" Erickson (*27.11.1958) were married on 16 May 1981 in La Crosse. While Don was in his forties they moved from Coon Valley to Hawthorne, Lake County FL)

Children: (2)
2.1.....Dana Sue Hess (*14.09.1982)
Dana has lived much of her life in Coon Valley.

2.2.....Jordon Hess (*18.06.1984)
Jordan's wife is Alana.

6.4.....Michael John Hess (*21.02.1961)
In 1984 on the 29th of September Michael and Kristel Faye Aronson (*1958) were joinned in marriage. Originally living in Coon Valley, Michael and Kristel later moved to Onalaska and then into the city of La Crosse.

6.5.....Julie Ann Hess (*25.05.1962 La Crosse, +14.07.1998 La Crosse WI)
Julie passed away at the young age of thirty-six after battling cancer. She did not marry. She was interred in the St. Joseph Ridge Catholic Cemetery.

In addition to being an ardent Packer fan with an Minnesota address, Julie enjoyed boating, snowmobiling, and skiing. Her life is best read in her obituary.

6.6.....Robert Patrick "Bob" Hess (*19.07.1965)
Mary Eunice Karl (*01.07.1966) and Bob were married on 16 May 1987 in La Crosse.

Children: (1)
1.1.....Hayden Hess
Hayden and Miranda Netwal married.[4]

Children: (1)
1.1.....Ivan Patrick Hess (*07.04.2021) [4]

9.5.....Lois Marie Hess (*19.02.1935)
Lois joined a convent on 8 September 1953 and became Sister M. Gretchen. She left the convent nineteen years later in 1972.

On 21 June 1997 she and Jean Drees Mollendorf II (*27.10.1938 Chicago IL) married. The ceremony was in Dane County (Madison) WI. Jean was the son of Jean and Dorothy Mollendorf. The Mollendorfs lived in Highland Park. An affluent community twenty miles north of Chicago.

9.6.....Ronald Martin Hess (*29.01.1938 La Crosse, +14.02.2021)
Ronald Martin Hess
Click to enlarge
Ron served in the U.S. Air Force between the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He and Mary Rose Tumianiec (*10.04.1939) were married on 14 October 1961.

Ron worked for St. Joseph Implement Company, Goodyear and Wisconsin Electric. After his retirement they moved to Ormond Beach, Florida, just north of Daytona Beach. Ron even worked stints at the Daytona Speedway.

Ron's obituary adds more color to his life.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Patricia Ann Hess (*19.07.1962)
Patti and Dennis George Sprague (*22.06.1961) were wed. The Milwaukee event was on 2 November 1985. They had three children.

In a second wedding for Patti, she and Kevin Rauchholz were married. For much of their marriage they have lived in Green Bay WI.

Children with Dennis Sprague: (3)
3.1.....Ian Sprague
3.2.....Connor Sprague
Conner married Bet.

3.3.....Paige Sprague

3.2.....Jeannine Marie Hess (*13.11.1964, +20.03.2021 Philadelphia PA[4])
Jeannine married Michael Shumaker. Following their marriage they lived in Wynnewood and Bryn Mawr PA on the "Main Line" west of Philadelphia.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Nathan Shumaker
3.2.....Tyler Shumaker
3.3.....Lianna Shumaker

3.3.....Nancy Jo Hess (*07.12.1966)
Nancy's husband is Matthew "Matt" Alan McCoy (*15.07.1969). They were married on 13 June 1992 in Milwaukee. Following Milwaukee they live in New Berlin, Waukesha County WI.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Max McCoy
Max's wife is Katie.

3.2.....Olivia McCoy
Olivia married Devon Peters.

3.3.....Sam McCoy

9.7.....Beverly Ann Hess (*29.06.1940)
Bev and her husband Patrick D. Watson (*30.04.1938), together with their two children and their families joined us at Schömbs 2015 (our fourth family reunion) in Germany.

Front: Donovan W, Trey T, Ingrid W, Beverly HW and Katie T
Back: Anne WT, Robb T, Pat W, Steve W and Angi GW
Click to enlarge
Children: (2)
2.1.....Steven Hanley Watson (*27.09.1966)
After college Steve enlisted in the U.S. Navy and began flight training. Later he switched to and flew for the U.S. Air Force. Following his active service he has followed a career in commercial aviation, today flying for American Airlines. Plus he still flies with the Air Force Reserves.

Angela R. "Angi" Gates (*27.01.1970) and Steve were married on 5 June 1999 in Minnesota. Angi is the daughter of Richard and Roxanne Void Gates.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Donovan Watson (*2001)
Donovan is going to the University of North Dakota. He is passionate about ice hockey and lacrosse.

2.2.....Ingrid Watson (*2004)
Ingrid will graduate high school in 2022. She has a particular interest and talent in art.

2.2.....Anne Elizabeth Watson (*25.08.1970 Hennepin Cty MN)
Anne went to the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul MN. Her mother Bev is also an alumna of St. Thomas.

Anne married Robert Allen "Robb" Turner Jr. (*29.04.1968 Hennepin County MN). Robb is the son of Robert Sr. and Vernice Roenfeldt Turner.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Katherine Anne "Katie" Turner (*16.10.1998 Ramsey MN)
Katie graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 2021. She is going to work for the Kimberly Clark Corporation.

2.2.....Robert Allen "Trey" Turner III (*02.10.2001 Ramsey MN)
Trey, like his cousin Donovan, is a student at the University of North Dakota. And too plays hockey and lacrosse. Plus they are both brothers in the same fraternity.

Ingrid, Trey, Donovan and Katie
Click to enlarge		 Heads on the Chopping Block
Pat, Robb, Katie, Bev and Anne
Click to enlarge		 Steve and Angi
Click to enlarge
Katie and Donovan
Click to enlarge		 Ingrid, Donovan and Steve
with Jacky and Rob Cramb, their
Australian cousins
Click to enlarge
9.8.....Terence Eugene "Terry" Hess (*25.09.1943 La Crosse, +17.10.2019 Minneapolis MN)
Following his graduation from Aquinas High School in La Crosse, Terry went on to St. Norbert's College and then the University of Wisconsin at River Falls.

Terry and Sandra Jean "Sandy" Otting (*~1944) married. The ceremony was on 11 August 1967 in Hopkins MN.

Terry was a salesman, first for Farmland Industries (30 years), then for Plains Marketing (7 years). He was a typical descendant of Wolfgang Münzenberber: he loved to hunt, fish, garden, cook and travel with Sandy. The rest of his time he was an avid fan of the Packers

Children: (2)
2.1.....Rebecca Jean Hess (*22.11.1970 Rice MN)
Rebecca was living in St. Paul MN in 2019.

2.2.....John Martin Hess (*24.11.1974 McLeod MN)
John and Michelle L. Harless (*03.11.1976) were married on 15 August 1998 in Minnesota.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Benjamin Hess
2.1.....Zachary Hess

9.9.....Joseph John Hess (*25.01.1946, +25.01.1946)


The Münzenberger Story is in the process of being written. Please revisit periodically to see the story as it comes together.






4.3.....Philip William Hess II (*03.10.1905 La Crosse, +25.02.1998 West Salem LaC-Cty)
Philip William and Margaret Hall Hess
Gate of Heaven Cemetery, La Crosse
Click to enlarge
Philip married Mildred Margaret Hall (*12.04.1916, +13.08.1979) on 09 June 1937.

They were enumerated in the 1940 Census. Their first two children were two years and eight months respectively. The original Census pages, including the second page with the children, can be viewed in the Live Links section at the bottom of the page. They were renting their home in Shelby Township for $8 per monthly. In the prior year Philip had worked forty-nine weeks and earned $990. His occupation appears to be "truck driver for the county patrol". Their neighbors included the Roeslers and the Justins.

Mildred passed away in 1979 at the age of sixty-two and was interred in the Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in La Crosse. Philip followed nineteen years later and was buried with Mildred.

Children: (6)
6.1.....Phyllis Ann Hess (*28.02.1938 La Crosse, +07.04.2020 Aztec NM)
Phyllis married three times. Her first husband was Dominic Hansen (*12.04.1933, +16.12.1958 La Crosse). The marriage took place 9 November 1955. Dominic passed away three years later and was buried in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Bangor. Phyllis and Dominic had three children together.

In 1960 Phyllis married Wilbur Fred Henry Labus (*18.06.1916, +05.08.1989). The ceremony was on 20 February. Wilbur was the son of William D. and Emma M. Garber Labus. Wilbur was twenty-two years older than Phyllis. Phyllis and Wilbur had one child, a daughter Julie. They later divorced. Wilbur died in 1989 and was buried in the Christ Lutheran Cemetery in West Salem. He is interred with Shirlee M. Labus (*1940-+2002).

Note: A person with the name Wilbur F. Labus is mentioned as father of William „Bill“ Clyde Labus *1939 who married 6.3 Jean Marie Hess *23.08.1941 – see below.

James J. Broker (*03.02.1930 Royalton MN, +17.02.2007 Gallup NM) married Phyllis on 28 December 1984 in Orange TX. James was the son of Robert and Martha Broker. James and Phyllis had been married for twenty-three years at the time of his passing.

As seen from Phyllis's obituary she passed away in April 2020 at the age of eighty-two. Because of Covid-19, no service was held at the time. It is not known where she was interred.

Children: (4)
Children with Dominic Hansen (3):
4.1.....Michael Raymond Hansen (*28.04.1956, +09.06.1973)
Michael died at the age of seventeen. He was buried with his father.

4.2.....Jeffrey John Hansen (*15.08.1957)
We have no information about Jeffrey.

4.3.....Jennifer Marie Hansen (*28.02.1959)
Jennifer and Bill Collier married. They later divorced and Jennifer married Steve Sidney Barker (*10.05.1962 Chester PA), the son of Joseph Alfred and Barbara Sue Atwood Barker. Steve and Jennifer lived most recently lived in North Carolina.

Children with Wilbur Labus (1):
4.4.....Julie Annette Labus (*16.04.1964 Orange CA)
From an obituary we see that Julie and David A. Branch (*01.01.1964) married. They lived in Aztec, New Mexico.

6.2.....Philip Jerome Hess III (*19.07.1939)
Therese Trussoni Hess
Philip and Therese Janice Trussoni (*01.09.1940 Genoa, Vernon County WI, +15.10.2013 La Crosse) married on 16 August 1958. The parents of Therese were Joseph A. and Hulda M. Levendoski Trussoni.

Therese, like many of the Hess family, had gone to Aquinas High School in La Crosse. While she was mothering their seven children she took classes at Western Wisconsin Technical College, receiving her LPN degree in 1972. She worked in local health care facilities, particularly enjoying taking care of the elderly and those who were mentally challenged.

Her obituary tells more of her life story. But the beautiful writing by her daughter Christine Hess Dowiasch relates how wonderful a person Therese was.

Therese was interred at the St. Charles Catholic Cemetery in Genoa, Vernon County.

Children: (7)
7.1.....Christine Marie Hess (*29.12.1958)
Christine married Robert „Rob“ Daniel Dowiasch (*19.07.1958 Viroqua, Vernon County WI, +18.08.2017 La Crosse). The wedding was on 9 June 1979 in La Crosse. Rob was the son of Sylvester and Lellah Kerska Dowiasch.

Rob passed away in 2017 at the age of fifty-nine. He was buried in the St. Joseph Ridge Catholic Cemetery. He is remembered for much, including his mustache and his Harley. He was a dairy farmer by profession.

Children: (4)
4.1.....Melissa Ann Dowiasch (*26.09.1980)
4.2.....Robert Sylvester Dowiasch (*31.03.1982)
Robert lives with his partner Erica Schwanke.

4.3.....Jenna Dowiasch
4.4.....Laura Dowiasch
Laura's husband is Ben Miller.

At the time of Rob's passing, they had three grandchildren who are unnamed at this time.

7.2.....Joanne Michelle Hess (*24.03.1960)
Joanne married Dennis E. Sims (*26.10.1961). The wedding was on 2 July 1983.

Joanne and Dennis have lived in West Salem, Holmen, Sparta and Marshfield Wisconsin. Most recently they were in Marshfield in Wood County.

7.3..... Renee Jean Hess (*11.09.1963)
Renee and David Eugene Bahr (*27.12.1962) married in July 1981. David was the son of 6.2 Alfred William Bahr (1931–2011) – son of 4.1 Edward W. Bahr (1906–1995) – son of 6.1 John William Bahr (1881–1951) – son of 11.3 Margaret Clements Bahr. Click Here to go to the Bahr line.

Children: (3)
Anthony and Adam Bahr
North Ridge Cemetery, Middle Ridge
Click to enlarge
3.1.....Matthew Anthony Bahr (*08.01.1982)

3.2.....Anthony Joseph Bahr (*16.12.1982, +17.02.1986)
Anthony and his twin-brother Adam perished in a housefire in 1986 at the age of three years. They were interred in the North Ridge Cemetery on Middle Ridge.

3.3.....Adam Edward Bahr (*16.12.1982, +17.02.1986)


7.4.....Mark Philip Hess (*29.09.1965)
On the first of July 1989 in Racine WI, Mark and Rebecca „Beckie“ Rose Knors (*01.01.1966) were wed. Beckie was born on New Years Day, 1966.

7.5.....Douglas Joseph Hess (*01.05.1967)
Ellen Jane Williamson (*01.11.1965) was married to Douglas on 31 August 1996 in Vernon County, south of La Crosse.

7.6.....Beatrice Mary Hess (*11.1969, +24.11.1969)
Beatrice was buried in the Saint Charles Cemetery in Genoa, Vernon County.

7.7.....Philip Joseph Hess IV (*18.01.1977)
Philip and his wife Alicia live in La Crosse.

6.3.....Jean Marie Hess (*23.08.1941)
Bill Labus
Jean Marie and William „Bill“ Clyde Labus (*19.10.1939 Sparta WI, +31.10.2007 Mauston, Juneau County WI) married on 20 December 1963. Bill was the son of Wilbur F. and Vivian Fay Scafe Labus.

After graduating from Bangor High School Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served from 1958 to 1960. Part of his career was farming. He also ran a window cleaning company for twenty-five years. Bill had a variety of interests from hunting and fishing to cards and bible study among others. They lived in Mauston.

His headstone focuses upon playing cards. His obituary adds color to his life. He was interred in the Fairview Cemetery in Bangor.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Molly Mae Labus (*18.03.1964 Merced CA)
Molly's first marriage was to Grant David Zimmerman (*1962). The wedding was in Sauk WI on 9 December 1983. They had two daughters, Lisa and Lori, and later divorced.

Molly later married Kory G. Smith (*12.03.1964). They have one child, a son Alex.

Children: (3)
With Grant Zimmerman:
3.1.....Lisa M. Zimmerman (*05.09.1984)
3.2.....Lori Zimmerman

With Kory Smith:
3.3.....Alex Smith

3.2.....Katy Sue Labus (*02.07.1966)
Katy and Daniel James Morehouse (*1963) were married in Adams, Sauk County WI on 8 November 1985.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Anna Morehouse
2.2.....Samuel Morehouse

3.3.....Becky Lynn Labus (*13.02.1968)
Becky's husband is Richard „Rich“ Robert Pertzborn (*01.07.1966). The ceremony was on 27 August 1994 in Dane County.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Morgan Pertzborn
2.2.....Madison Pertzborn

6.4.....Carol Rose Hess (*21.09.1944 La Crosse, +28.10.2000 La Crosse County)
Carol married Nicholas Joseph Bentzen (*14.05.1943, +01.09.2007) on 30 January 1965. Nicholas' parents were Leroy and Rose Mary Gautsch Bentzen. Note: Nicholas’ father Leroy Bentzen was a brother of Lorraine Bentzen (1925–2014) who married 6.5 Clarence Meyer (1928–1980) – son of 11.11 Alice M. Roesler Meyer (1904–1990) – daughter of 12.3 Mary Hess (1864–1942).

Nicholas served in the U.S. Navy, probably during the Vietnam War.

Both Carol and Nicholas died young, Carol at age fifty-six and Nicholas at sixty-four. They are interred at the Viroqua Cemetery in Vernon County.

Children: (2)
2.1.....Scott Leroy Bentzen (*12.09.1965 La Crosse, +30.06.2011 Viroqua WI)
Scott served in the U.S. Air Force in the Persian Gulf War. Scott and Chizuko „Chiko“ Kinjo (*03.07.1956) married. Scott passed away at the age of forty-five, leaving Chiko and their three sons.

Children: (3)
3.1.....Nicholas „Nick“ Bentzen
3.2.....Michael „Mike“ Bentzen
3.3.....Andrew „Andy“ Bentzen

2.2.....Curtis John Bentzen (*11.07.1967)
Curtis' wife is Bonnie.

Children: (1)
1.1.....Megan Bentzen

6.5.....Edward Joseph Hess (*21.01.1947)
In Reno, Nevada on the 12th of December 1970 Edward and Joy M. Gardner were married. They lived in Laughlin NV.

6.6.....Gerald Dennis Hess (*12.08.1949 La Crosse, +06.10.2020 Albuquerque NM)
Gerald Dennis Hess
Gerald and his best friend Linus Hyl lived in Belen NM, a small town about thirty miles south of Albuquerque.

Children with Anna Sausel (1):
4.4.....Louise Christine Hess (*27.12.1912, +21.07.1981).
Louise married Raymond Edward Loging (*17.12.1914 Barre Mills, La Crosse County, +17.12.1979 Sparta, Monroe Cty WI). The ceremony took place in 11 October 1955 in Lincoln, Nebraska. They had no children.

12.11.....Margaret Hess (*30.05.1880 Greenfield Twp WI, +23.11.1952 La Crosse WI)
Margaret married Albert Mlsna (spelling?).

12.12.....William Hess (*01.05.1882 Greenfield Twp WI, +11.03.1960 La Crosse WI)
William married Anna Schams. We need to trace Anna back to see if she is a Schömbs.

11.9.....Philip Muenzenberger (*31.05.1842 Undenheim, +09.03.1919 LaCrosse WI)
Philip and Veronica Schaefer (*03.1848 Undenheim, +1934 LaCrosse WI) were married 2 June 1868 in Greenfield, La Crosse County WI. Veronica was the daughter of John and Beronier Fink Schafer.

From the 1900 Census we know that Veronica was the mother of ten children, seven of whom were still living in 1900. We believe we know of seven. We do not know the other's names and when they were born. The Muenzenberger family was living and farming in Greenfield Township, La Crosse County.



Children: (10)
10.1.....Mary Muenzenberger (*1876, +1958)
Mary and Gustav Hohlfeld (*Vernon Cty WI) were married on 3 June 1902 in Saint Joseph, La Crosse County. Gustav was the son of Ignatius and Minnie Loestretter Hohlfeld.

10.2.....Henry Muenzenberger (*06.1880)
In 1900 Henry, age 19, was living at home and single. Nothing is given for his occupation but we can assume it was working on the farm.

In the 1905 Census Henry and his new wife Wilhelmine "Minnie" Schaefer (*1884 Mormon Cooley, LaC-Cty WI) are living in the home of his parents. Henry is a farm laborer, probably working for his father. Interestingly, the Census was dated 1 June 1900. Their marriage appears to have been 12 days later on 13 June. The family member providing the information on the family must have become excited and, considering the wedding was imminent, just reported them as "already" married.

From the Census records of 1910, 1920 and 1930 we see the family grow. By 1940 only the youngest two children still lived in the home.

Living with Henry and Minnie in 1920 was Minnie Barsch, age seventy-six.

Children: (4)
4.1.....Henry Muenzenberger Jr (*1907)

4.2.....Adeline M. Muenzenberger (*1917)

4.3.....Albert J. Muenzenberger (*1922)

4.4.....Alice Muenzenberger (*1923)

10.3.....John Muenzenberger (*11.06.1880 Greenfield, LaC-Cty WI)
Is John the same person as 10.1 Henry? If not, they must be twins. And, if twins, John may have died before 1900, for he was not enumerated in the Census as living with his parents. Else, John and Henry are the same person.

10.4.....Edward Muenzenberger (*10.1882)


10.5.....Margaret Muenzenberger (*09.1884)


10.6.....Appie Muenzenberger (*06.1888)


10.7.....Emma Muenzenberger (*11.1890)


10.8.....(*)


10.9.....(*)


10.10.....(*)


11.10.....Dieter Muenzenberger (*09.03.1844 Undenheim, +before 1847 Germany)
We know from the passenger list of the ship on which they emigrated that Dieter must have died prior to July 1847. He did not emigrate.

11.11.....Johann Baptist Muenzenberger (*25.10.1845 Undenheim, +22.09.1867 Greenfield Twp WI)
Johann did emigrate with the family. He is listed in the passenger list as well as the 1850 Census. There is no information about him as an adult.




FOOTNOTES:

[1]    "Luxembourg to La Crosse and Beyond" by author Sandy Hammes

[2]    Obituary in the Luxemburger Gazette newspaper on 30 November 1875

[3]    Obituary in FindAGrave.com

[4]    Gary Martin Hess 1965

[5]   






Other Research Steps

  • The 1950 U.S. Census will be released in April 2022.
  • Look for some additional descendants: Dorothy Doerfler (*1910) and George Barrette (*1910) in Whittier, California. Did they have children?
  • Contact cousins in the newly worked branches.


Live Links

Because sometimes Links to public websites (e.g. Ancestry) no longer are active or charge for access, screenshots and images are usually used in the Stories. However, for additional research, assuming they are still active, these Links may be helpful:

IF THE LINKS BELOW DO NOT WORK FOR YOU, TRY USING A DIFFERENT BROWSER. AS AN EXAMPLE, SOME VERSIONS OF SAFARI MAY NOT WORK. IF SO, USE FIREFOX OR CHROME AND THEY PROBABLY WILL. For familysearch.org you will also need to first log in (or create a free account).

The Links below are in the chronological order of the BIRTH YEAR of the cousins.

If a family is enumerated at the very bottom of a Census page, it is likely that the family carries over to the next. Use the Right or Left arrows (usually just below the name of the Census in the upper left of the window) to go to the next or prior page.

1850 Census - Muenzenberger, Wolfgang Ernst 1802   -  Ancestry.com

1900 Census - Muenzenberger, John 1829 Mil-Cty    -  Familysearch.org
1905 Census - Muenzenberger, John 1829 Mil-Cty   -  Familysearch.org

1870 Census - Clements, Nicholas 1830 LaC-Cty   -  Familysearch.org

1860 Census - Muenzenberger, Adam 1830 Mil-Cty   -  Ancestry.com

1900 Census - Stiefvater, Herman 1830 Mil-Cty   -  Ancestry.com
1905 Census - Stiefvater, Herman 1830 Mil-Cty   -  Familysearch.org

1880 Census - Muenzenberger, Wolfgang Ernst 1831 LaC-Cty   -  Ancestry.com
It should be noted that this record is in conflict with the information presented above.


1870 Census - Hess, Martin 1833   -  Familysearch.org
1875 Census - Hess, Martin 1833   -  Familysearch.org
1880 Census - Hess, Martin 1833   -  Familysearch.org
1900 Census - Hess, Martin 1833   -  Familysearch.org
1905 Census - Hess, Martin 1833   -  Familysearch.org

1860 Census - Doerfler, Louis 1836   -  Familysearch.org
1870 Census - Doerfler, Louis 1836   -  Familysearch.org
1880 Census - Doerfler, Louis 1836   -  Familysearch.org
1900 Census - Doerfler, Louis 1836   -  Familysearch.org

1900 Census - Muenzenberger Clements, Christina 1837 LaC-Cty   -  Familysearch.org
1910 Census - Muenzenberger Clements, Christina 1837 LaC-Cty   -  Familysearch.org

1900 Census - Muenzenberger, Philip 1842 LaC-Cty   -  Familysearch.org
1905 Census - Muenzenberger, Philip 1842 LaC-Cty   -  Familysearch.org

1930 Census - Pelt, Mathias 1850 Mil-Cty   -  Familysearch.org

1880 Census - Roesler, Edward 1851   -  Familysearch.org
1900 Census - Roesler, Edward 1851   -  Familysearch.org
1905 Census - Roesler, Edward 1851   -  Familysearch.org
1910 Census - Roesler, Edward 1851   -  Familysearch.org
1920 Census - Roesler, Edward 1851   -  Familysearch.org
1930 Census - Roesler, Edward 1851   -  Familysearch.org
1940 Census - Roesler, Edward 1851   -  Familysearch.org

1900 Census - Bahr, Gabriel 1855   -  Familysearch.org

1900 Census - Bahr, Frank 1856   -  Familysearch.org

1930 Census - Muenzenberger, Joseph 1859 LaC-Cty   -  Familysearch.org

1900 Census - Clements, John 1859   -  Familysearch.org
1905 Census - Clements, John 1859   -  Familysearch.org
1910 Census - Clements, John 1859   -  Familysearch.org
1920 Census - Clements, John 1859   -  Familysearch.org
1930 Census - Clements, John 1859   -  Familysearch.org
1940 Census - Clements, John 1859 (Katherine 1861)   -  Familysearch.org

1910 Census - Muenzenberger, Adam 1861 Mil-Cty    -  Familysearch.org

1905 Census - Hess, Ernest 1861   -  Familysearch.org
1910 Census - Hess, Ernest 1861   -  Familysearch.org
1920 Census - Hess, Ernest 1861   -  Familysearch.org
1930 Census - Hess, Ernest 1861   -  Familysearch.org
1940 Census - Hess, Ernest 1861   -  Familysearch.org

1900 Census - Newburg, Wenzel 1871 LaC-Cty    -  Familysearch.org
1905 Census - Newburg, Wenzel 1871 LaC-Cty   -  Familysearch.org
1910 Census - Newburg, Wenzel F 1871 LaC-Cty   -  Familysearch.org
1920 Census - Newburg, Wenzel F 1871 LaC-Cty   -  Familysearch.org
1930 Census - Newburg, Wenzel F 1871 LaC-Cty   -  Familysearch.org
1940 Census - Newburg, Wenzel F 1871 LaC-Cty   -  Familysearch.org

1900 Census - Muenzenberger, Peter 1872 LaC-Cty   -  Familysearch.org
1905 Census - Muenzenberger, Peter 1872 LaC-Cty   -  Familysearch.org
1930 Census - Muenzenberger, Peter 1872 LaC-Cty   -  Familysearch.org
1940 Census - Muenzenberger, Peter 1872 LaC-Cty   -  Familysearch.org


1910 Census - Poehling, Henry G. 1873   -  Familysearch.org
1920 Census - Poehling, Henry G. 1873   -  Familysearch.org
1930 Census - Poehling, Henry G. 1873   -  Familysearch.org
1940 Census - Poehling, Henry G. 1873   -  Familysearch.org


1910 Census - Hess, Philip Justus 1877   -  Familysearch.org
1920 Census - Hess, Philip Justus 1877   -  Familysearch.org
1930 Census - Hess, Philip Justus 1877   -  Familysearch.org
1940 Census - Hess, Philip Justus 1877   -  Familysearch.org

1910 Census - Servais, Louis P. 1878   -  Familysearch.org
1920 Census - Servais, Louis P. 1878   -  Familysearch.org
1930 Census - Servais, Louis P. 1878   -  Familysearch.org
1940 Census - Servais, Louis P. 1878   -  Familysearch.org

1910 Census - Muenzenberger, Henry 1880 LaC-Cty   -  Familysearch.org
1920 Census - Muenzenberger, Henry 1880 LaC-Cty   -  Familysearch.org
1930 Census - Muenzenberger, Henry 1880 LaC-Cty   -  Familysearch.org
1940 Census - Muenzenberger, Henry 1880 LaC-Cty   -  Familysearch.org

1910 Census - Hansen, Peter 1880   -  Familysearch.org
1920 Census - Hansen, Peter 1880   -  Familysearch.org
1930 Census - Hansen, Peter 1880   -  Familysearch.org
1940 Census - Hansen, Peter 1880   -  Familysearch.org

1920 Census - Bahr, John 1881   -  Familysearch.org
1930 Census - Bahr, John 1881   -  Familysearch.org
1940 Census - Bahr, John 1881   -  Familysearch.org

1900 Census - Mikshowsky, Adolph Peter 1881   -  Familysearch.org
1920 Census - Mikshowsky, Adolph Peter 1881   -  Familysearch.org
1930 Census - Mikshowsky, Adolph Peter 1881   -  Familysearch.org
1940 Census - Mikshowsky, Adolph Peter 1881   -  Familysearch.org

1920 Census - Muenzenberger, Edward 1883 LaC-Cty   -  Familysearch.org
1930 Census - Muenzenberger, Edward 1883 LaC-Cty   -  Familysearch.org
1940 Census - Muenzenberger, Edward 1883 LaC-Cty   -  Familysearch.org

1905 Census - Muenzenberger, Frank 1883 Mil-Cty    -  Familysearch.org

1930 Census - Muenzenberger, Nicholas 1884 Mil-Cty    -  Familysearch.org

1910 Census - Tauscher, Carl 1884   -  Familysearch.org
1920 Census - Tauscher, Carl 1884   -  Familysearch.org

1910 Census - Gerke, Frank 1885   -  Familysearch.org
1920 Census - Gerke, Frank 1885   -  Familysearch.org
1930 Census - Gerke, Frank 1885   -  Familysearch.org
1940 Census, p.1 - Gerke, Frank 1885   -  Familysearch.org
1940 Census, p.2 - Gerke, Frank 1885   -  Familysearch.org

1920 Census - Stark, Charles 1885   -  Familysearch.org
1930 Census - Stark, Charles 1885   -  Familysearch.org
1940 Census - Stark, Charles 1885   -  Familysearch.org

1910 Census - Roesler, William George 1885   -  Familysearch.org
1920 Census - Roesler, William George 1885   -  Familysearch.org
1930 Census - Roesler, William George 1885   -  Familysearch.org
1940 Census - Roesler, William George 1885   -  Familysearch.org

1920 Census - Hess, George William 1887   -  Familysearch.org
1930 Census - Hess, George William 1887   -  Familysearch.org
1940 Census - Hess, George William 1887   -  Familysearch.org

1920 Census - Clements, Nicholas John 1889   -  Familysearch.org
1930 Census - Clements, Nicholas John 1889   -  Familysearch.org
1940 Census - Clements, Nicholas John 1889   -  Familysearch.org

1940 Census - Tauscher, Margaret Clements 1890   -  Familysearch.org

1920 Census - Hess, Ernest Jr 1890   -  Familysearch.org
1930 Census - Hess, Ernest Jr 1890   -  Familysearch.org
1940 Census - Hess, Ernest Jr 1890   -  Familysearch.org

1920 Census - Erickson, Edwin L 1890   -  Familysearch.org
1930 Census - Erickson, Edwin L 1890   -  Familysearch.org
1940 Census - Erickson, Edwin L 1890   -  Familysearch.org

1920 Census - Gerke, Peter Frederic 1891   -  Familysearch.org
1930 Census - Gerke, Peter Frederic 1891   -  Familysearch.org
1940 Census - Gerke, Peter Frederic 1891   -  Familysearch.org

1920 Census - Bey, Ernest John 1892   -  Familysearch.org
1930 Census - Bey, Ernest John 1892   -  Familysearch.org
1940 Census - Bey, Ernest John 1892   -  Familysearch.org

1920 Census - Muenzenberger, Matt 1893 Mon-Cty   -  Familysearch.org
1930 Census - Muenzenberger, Math 1892 LaC-Cty   -  Familysearch.org
1940 Census - Muenzenberger, Math 1892 LaC-Cty   -  Familysearch.org

1920 Census - Keller, Herbert 1894   -  Familysearch.org
1930 Census - Keller, Herbert 1894   -  Familysearch.org
1940 Census - Keller, Herbert 1894   -  Familysearch.org

1930 Census - Bates, Lawrence 1897   -  Familysearch.org
1940 Census - Bates, Lawrence 1897   -  Familysearch.org

1940 Census - Hansen, Rudolph W. 1901   -  Familysearch.org

1930 Census - Hess, Martin Julius 1903   -  Familysearch.org
1940 Census - Hess, Martin Julius 1903   -  Familysearch.org

1940 Census - Poehling, William 1904   -  Familysearch.org

1930 Census - Muenzenberger, Adam 1904 Mil-Cty   -  Familysearch.org

1940 Census - Muenzenberger, George M 1905 LaC-Cty   -  Familysearch.org

1940 Census - Mutch, Harry 1905   -  Familysearch.org

1940 Census - Hess, Philip William II 1905   -  Familysearch.org

1940 Census - Schwartz, Raymond 1906   -  Familysearch.org

1930 Census - Bahr, Edward W. 1906   -  Familysearch.org
1930 Census - Bahr, Edward W. 1906   -  Familysearch.org

1940 Census - Gerke, Alvin 1907   -  Familysearch.org

1940 Census - Muenzenberger, Henry 1907 LaC-Cty   -  Familysearch.org

1940 Census - Hammes, Bernard 1908   -  Familysearch.org

1940 Census - Servais, George C. 1909   -  Familysearch.org

1940 Census - Newburg, Ernst 1910 LaC-Cty   -  Familysearch.org

1940 Census - Roesler, Ernest A. 1910   -  Familysearch.org

1940 Census - Mikshowsky, Joseph E. 1910   -  Familysearch.org

1940 Census - Kneifl, Adolph E 1911   -  Familysearch.org

1940 Census - Graw, Edward P 1912   -  Familysearch.org

1940 Census - Bahr, Joseph John 1913   -  Familysearch.org

1940 Census - Poehling, Gerhard "Gary" 1914   -  Familysearch.org

1940 Census - Loging, Raymond E. 1914   -  Familysearch.org

1940 Census - Dawson, Ralph C 1915   -  Familysearch.org

1940 Census - Clements, Sylvester J. 1915   -  Familysearch.org

1930 Census - Tauscher, Gertrude 1917   -  Familysearch.org

1940 Census - Dwyer, John Eugene 1940   -  Familysearch.org

1940 Census - Bahr, Herbert 1918   -  Familysearch.org

1940 Census - Vinson, Vernon Howard 1920   -  Familysearch.org


ITEM - NAME - BIRTHYEAR   -  Familysearch.org

ITEM - NAME - BIRTHYEAR   -  Familysearch.org

ITEM - NAME - BIRTHYEAR   -  Familysearch.org

ITEM - NAME - BIRTHYEAR   -  Familysearch.org