Obit: Thur, Fred Sr. (abt 1845 – 1905)

Contact: Michelle Melcher
Email: michelle@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Thur, Laukandt, Pettis

----Source: Fairchild Observer (Fairchild, Wis.) 10/05/1905

Thur, Fred Sr. (abt 1845 – 29 SEP 1905)

Fred Thur Sr. died last Friday after 24 hours illness, aged about 60 years. While driving home from town Thursday noon he suffered a paralytic stroke, pitching from his wagon headlong to the ground, striking with great force and being greatly injured. He was picked up by friends who saw him fall and taken home. He regained consciousness for a brief period but it was seen that he could not recover and he passed away at 2 o’clock Friday afternoon.

The funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the German Lutheran church, Rev. B.F. Laukandt conducting. A great concourse of people in nearly 80 vehicles were in line from the home to the church, and at the conclusion of the services followed their friend to his resting place, which had been made beautiful with flowers deposited by many who knew and admired the man who had gone.

If Fred Thur had an enemy that one must be far away, for the many who have known him and his work for a generation testify to his manly qualities and kindness of heart. He was one of nature’s nobleman – true in every walk of life, above pettiness, full of good works, ever ready to aid another in distress. It is worth a life of sacrifice and self-denial to win at the end the great esteem in which Mr. Thur has been held.

The Observer has been unable to secure the facts as to Mr. Thur’s life, but hopes to give an outline later.

We have laid another love one
Beneath the friendly sod.
While we sadly miss his presence,
He’s gone to meet his God.
He is safe at home in Heaven,
The Savior bade him come;
His work on earth is ended.
He has been sweetly called home.
His life has been a model
Multitudes of friends he leaves
Tho we would not call him back again
Yet each saddened heart now grieves.
For they miss him from the number
Of pleasant smiling friends.
But the Life of Christ has well began
Where the life on earth now ends.

-M. Pettis