Obit: Klemp, Fred A. (1861 - 1935)

Contact: Stan

Surnames: KLEMP SCHULTZ DUPKE BULEN NEVENDORF SCHAEFER

----Sources: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 01/17/1935

Klemp, Fred A. (15 APR 1861 - 5 JAN 1935)

Fred A. Klemp, blind merchant of Thorp, Clark Co., Wis. for many years, was born in Germany, April 15, 1861, and passed away at the home of his brother, William A. Klemp, at 401 East St., Merrill, Wis., on Saturday evening, Jan. 5, 1935, thus having reached the age of 73 years, 8 months and 20 days. He lost the sight of both eyes as a child of nine years when he fell while running through a stubble field. A stubble pierced one eye and an infection developed in the other from the first wound. He attended and was graduated from the Janesville school for the blind and then completed a post graduate course. Refusing to allow is disability to handicap him, he first went to Plainfield, where he sold pianos and gave music lessons. Later he located at Thorp and established a general store business, which he operated forty-eight years. He never married. His health started to fail a little more than a year ago but he remained fairly active until about a week before he passed away. He retired from business last spring and after being cared for at the Isaac Slaco home for about a month, he went to Merrill last June, where he has since resided with his brother, William Klemp, and family.

Mr. Klemp was a true Christian and a faithful member of the local Methodist Church, acting as superintendent and teach in the Church School for many years and also insisted on donating his services staring fires in the church building just as long as he was able. He was also trustee of the church for forty years. He was well and favorably known by almost all of the residents of Thorp and vicinity and was greatly missed when he was compelled through ill health to leave our midst last spring. He is survived by the following brothers and sisters: William A. Klemp, Mrs. Wilhelmina Schultz and Mrs. Carl Dupke of Merrill, Albert Klemp, Mrs. Bertha Bulen and Miss Minnie Klemp of Beaver Dam, Mrs. Ida Nevendorf of Burnett, Otto Klemp of Hustisford and Mrs. Anna Schaefer of Hoquiam, Wash. Funeral services were conducted from the home of William Klemp at Merrill on Tuesday afternoon at two o’clock, the Rev. Theodore Nagler, pastor of the German Methodist Church at Merrill, officiating. Services were conducted in both the English and German language. Interment took place in the cemetery at Merrill.

Those from Thorp attending were Arthur Rasmussen, Joseph Sheblak, Vivian Geiger, John Bauernfeind, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Sisco and Mr. and Mrs. Merry Asselin, Jr.