Obit: Broeske, Gottfried (1874 - 1959)

Contact: Linda Mertens
Email: mertens@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Source - Anna Johnson's Scrapbook

Gottfried Broeske (7 Feb 1874 - 2 Jul 1959)

Funeral services for G. R. Broeske, 85, were held Sunday, July 5, from Peace Evangelical church here, with the Rev. Fred W. Kollath, pastor, officiating at the 1:30 p.m. rites. Miss Olga Genrich was organist at the services and played accompaniment for Miss Alice Tauchen who sang “Asleep in Jesus” and “Beautiful Isle of Somewhere”.

Interment was in Dorchester Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Fuchsgruber Funeral Service, which had charge of the arrangements. Pallbearers were Henry Rau, Arthur Baehr, Clarence Rankl, Emil Untiedt, Arvid Carlson and Albert Fenske.

Mr. Broeske died about 5 a.m. last Thursday, July 2, at the Bethel Convalescent Home, Arpin. He had been in failing health the past year, and had resided at Bethel the past eight months. His death was ascribed to complications of his illness because of his advanced age.

Gottfried Richard Broeske was born Feb. 7, 1874, in Germany. At the age of 7, he came to this country with his parents, who settled at Arlington Heights, Ill., where he grew to manhood. There, too, he and Pauline Flentie were married on May 14, 1896, and he worked in a bicycle factory until 1901, when they moved to this community.

Here he conducted an International Harvester Company business for two years before moving to a farm in the town of Mayville, which he operated until he quit farming. His grandson Clyde Broeske now operates the farm.

Mr. Broeske served as clerk of the town of Mayville for 20 years, and was an early member of the Peace Evangelical church, and served as president of the congregation for 25 years.

Surviving are a son Elroy Broeske, of Colby; two daughters, Mrs. Ole (Gertrude) Hanson, Abbotsford, and Mrs. Lloyd (Ruth) Carlson, of this community; 15 grandchildren, and 33 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is one sister, Mrs. August Greinke of Arlington Heights, Ill.

Mrs. Broeske died in 1941, and a son, Edwin, also preceded him in death, as did a brother and a sister.

The children were here for the funeral, and those from away (who were) here for the rites included Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Flentie and Ray Copeland, Stevens Point; Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Copeland and Donna Mae, Antigo; Mr. and Mrs. Mahlon Hamel, Arpin; Mr. and Mrs.Carl Bartsch and Mr. and Mrs. Armin Gruenke, Marshfield; Mr. and Mrs. Chris Bremer, Rib Lake; Mr. and Mrs. Earl Boss, Colby, and others from Curtiss, Abbotsford, Medford and Owen.