Surnames: Lehnen, Kestler

----Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 12/09/1943

Lehnen, Andrew (7 APR 1917 - 4 DEC 1943)

Cpl. Andrew Lehnen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Nick Lehnen of this city (Owen, Clark Co., Wis.), who passed away Saturday, Dec 4, 1943, at the Camp Grant station hospital, was laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery this morning with full military honors under the auspices of the American Legion, following a Solemn Requiem High Mass at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church at 9:30 this morning. The Rev. Father Francis Brockman acted as celebrant of the Mass, with Father Gregory Ruder of Medford acting as Deacon, Father Wallace of Stanley as Sub-deacon, Father Schultz as Head Acolyte, assisted by the Mass servers.

Father Brockman in his some of condolence paid to Cpl. Andrew Lehnen, a grand tribute, which is justly shared by all who knew him, that, "Andrew was endowed with a gift of God, that ability to make and keep friends with all people of every walk of life, loving his neighbor as himself."

The military service was most impressive. The pallbearers in full military uniform were Sgt. Ralph Peters, Sgt. Kieth Kennedy, Pfc. Gordon Marking, Pvt. Pentha Puro, Pvt. Ernest Durbin, and Pvt. Walter Peterson. Pvt. Eugene Sullivan was color bearers, Legionnaires Walter Hansen and Sig Sorenson being color guards; with Legionnaires Harry Hilts, Roy Gabriel, Cornell Erickson, Ed Stone, Arthur Thompson, Emil Hansen, Julius Sorenson, comprising the firing squad under the leadership of R.C. Graham, squad commander. Ed Beck, commander of the local legion post, presented the flage to Sgt. Keith Kennedy, who on behalf of the government of the United States, placed the flag into the hands of Father Brockman, who in turn presented the flag to the mother of the dead soldier. Miss Lois Madsen blew Taps which were re-echoed by Miss Betty Greech.

The flower girls were Misses Eleanore Mauel, Iren Mauel, Alice Mauel and Ann Mikrut.

Andrew Lehnen was born, the first son of Mr. and Mrs. Nick Lehnen, on April 7, 1917, at Ashland, and made his home at Glidden for 11 years, moving to Medford where he made his home for the next 10 years, receiving his formal education in the schools of that city. The family then moved to Stanley where they lived for one year previous to moving to Owen, which has since been his home for six years. He was inducted into the armed forces on Aug. 13, 1942, and was stationed at Ft. Sheridan, Ill., until June 12, 1942, at which time he was transferred to Camp Grant, Ill., where he served as headquarters personnel in the reception center. He was taken ill some three months ago and was confined to the station hospital until his death. During the last few weeks when it became evident that his condition was most serious he was tenderly cared for by his sister, Miss Lillian, who is a registered nurse.

He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nick Lehnen; two sisters, , Lillian, R.N. of Wausau, and Agnes at home; two brothers, Pfc. Edward of Champaign, Ill., and Pfc. Herbert, with the Airborne division, somewhere in England; and his grandfather, Frank Kestler of Owen, together with a host of friends who mourn his loss.

Those from out of town who attended the funeral were Mrs. Jack Braun, Peter Fink of Racine; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Albrecht of Glidden; Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Mikrut of Thorp; Mr. and Mrs. Bert Zereau of Stanley; Miss Eleanore Mauel of Weyauwega; Miss Irene Mauel of Milwaukee; Miss Alice Mauel of Wausau; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Brandner, Mrs. Ralph Fleischer, Mrs. Ed Brandner, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Brandner, Mrs. Leroy Massoth, all of Medford; Mr. and Mrs. John Mayer Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hayer, William Mayer, Mr. and Mrs. Frank K. Kestler and son, Frank Jr., of Chelsea; Mrs. Oral Langteau of Stetsonville; Sgt Keith Kennedy, 6th M.T.R., Camp Grant, Ill., who was honorary military escort.