Obit: Maegdefessel, Charles A. (1888 -1974)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Maegdefessel, Holler, Braders, Schoof, Vandeberg, Keller, Miller, Youngbauer, Egger, Benedict, Lawrence, Volland, Crossett, Emanual, McGillivary, Seufzer, Smith, Musil, Mabie, Noble

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 6/06/1974

Maegdefessel, Charles A. (28 April 1888 - 30 May 1974)

Funeral services with Masonic rites were held Sunday at 7 p.m. from the Georgas Funeral Home for Charles A. Maegdefessel of Neillsville, a retired electrician who died May 30 at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Marshfield, at the age of 86. The Rev. William Noble of the United Methodist Church officiated, and Lodge No. 163, F. & A.M. was in charge of Masonic rites. Burial was in Rosehill Community Mausoleum, Chicago, Il.

The son of Max and Anna (Holler) Maegdefessel, he was born April 28, 1888, in Grieswald, Germany, and came to the United States in 1893 at the age of five with his parents. The family settled in Chicago, where he received his education.

Mr. Maegdefessel entered military service May 25, 1918, and served in France. Following his discharge August 25, 1919, he worked as an electrician for Right-Way Electric of Chicago until he retired in 1957 and moved to Rt. 3 Neillsville, where he lived until he moved to the city in 1963.

His first marriage was to the former Mamie Braders, who died in 1953. His second wife, the former Mary Schoof, preceded him in death in 1957. He was married to the former Ruth (Vandeberg) (Keller) on October 12, 1963, in Neillsville.

Mr. Maegdefessel was a member of Cregier-Portage Lodge No. 643, F. & A.M. of Chicago, Il., Haugen-Richmond American legion Post No. 73, and the 31st Dixie Division of Chicago. He was a former member of the American Roller Skating and Speed Ice Skating club of Chicago, and had won several trophies in competition.

Surviving are his wife, Ruth, and one step-son, Lee Keller of Los Angeles, Ca.

“How Great Thou Art” and “Beautiful Isle of Somewhere” were sung by Kendall Smith with Mrs. Jas. A. Musil as the organist. Milo Mabie officiated at the Masonic rites.

Among those who attended the services were the following from out of town: Mrs. Flora Miller and Milan Miller, Alma; Palma Youngbauer, Cochrane; Lee Keller, Los Angeles, Ca.; Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Egger, Rhinelander; Mr. and Mrs. Rollie Benedict and Mr. and Mrs. Nyle Benedict, Loyal; Mr and Mrs. Byrl Lawrence, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Vandeberg, Mr. and Mrs. E. Volland, and Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Crossett, Marshfield; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Emanual, Eau Claire; Mrs. Esther McGillivary and Mrs. Mary Seufzer, Augusta.

Members of Carmi Chapter No. 60, Order of the Eastern Star, served a 5 p.m. supper at the Masonic Temple.