BioA: Firnstahl, Mr./Mrs. Isadore M. (Gold – 1970)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Firnstahl, Rushman, Stieber, Singstock, Meyer, Becker, Wiedenfeld, Lamont, Lystad, Arzt

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 29 Oct 1970

Firnstahl, Mr./Mrs. Isadore M. (Gold – 26 OCT 1970)

An open house was held Saturday afternoon, October 24, 1970, in the First United Church of Christ parlors to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Isadore M. Firnstahl.

On Saturday evening at 8 p.m. Mr. and Mrs. Firnstahl attended an anniversary mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church, with Father Francis Rushman officiating.

Music for the mass, under the direction of Paul Firnstahl, was sung by Joe Stieber, Dan Singstock, Bill Meyer and Alan Becker, all of Colby, and Jerry Wiedenfeld of Beloit.

A late evening dinner was served at the Colby Hotel for the Firnstahl family.

The honored couple received from their grandchildren a corsage of an orchid surrounded by gold chrysanthemums and a gold chrysanthemum boutonniere.

Other flowers for the occasion included arrangements of gold chrysanthemum at the side altars of St. Mary's Church, and a large floral arrangement of yellow roses for the main altar.

The couple's four children are Norman of St. Louis, Missouri, now the State Department in Saigon; Jerry of Jefferson, Wisconsin, Mrs. Angus (Virginia) Lamont, Colby, and Paul of Colby.

They have 13 grandchildren.

Isadore M. Firnstahl was born July 20, 1895, to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Firnstahl, at Colby. He received his education at Colby and lived on the farm prior to his marriage.

He was also with the U.S. Army in World War I, having served with a supply company in the European theater.

Lillian Lystad, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter O Lystad, was born at Elbow Lake, Minnesota, and received her education at Sauk Centre and St. Cloud, Minnesota.

She was a bookkeeper at Sauk Centre before their marriage.

On October 26, 1920, Lillian Lystad and Isadore Firnstahl were united in marriage by Rev. Anthony Arzt at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. After their wedding they farmed in the twon of Hull (Marathon Co., Wis.) for several years, and owned and operated stores in St. Joseph, Minnesota, Minneapolis, and Colby, where Mr. Firnstahl was manager of the Colby Implement before retirement in 1953.

She has been a member of the Christian Mothers Society for the past 50 years.

Mr. Firnstahl has held several local offices, including chairman of the town of Hull, and Legion Commander.

The couple now live in the city of Colby, and at their summer home on Harper's Lake.

They are both in good health. He enjoys hunting, fishing and playing cards, while she spends her time gardening and doing needlework.

Among the many well-wishers attending the celebrated was Miss Lona Firnstahl, the only surviving attendant at their 1920 wedding.

Other honors bestowed on the couple to honor their golden anniversary was a reception at the October 13 meeting of the Ray Firnstahl Post 266 of the American Legion and their Auxiliary. And a breakfast on Sunday morning at the home of their son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Firnstahl, Colby.