Surnames: Greunke, Rindfleisch, Bleck, Simpson, Kuschel

----Source: Millie Lee Collection

Greunke, Otto (Mar 1885 - May 11, 1939)

Otto F. Greunke, 54, prominent Central Wisconsin dairy operator and a resident of Marshfield for the past 18 months, was drowned in Blue Lake, between Minocqua and Hazelhurst, Oneida County, shortly before noon Thursday.

Coroner Albert Onson and Undersherriff Harvey Robb of Oneida County, who investigated the death, pronounced it suicide.

Their investigation revealed that Greunke had discarded his hat, spectacles, and pipe, and had tied a heavy block of concrete about his neck, then stepped off the pier.

He had left Marshfield Wednesday morning with his wife, a daughter, Mrs. K.P. Rindfleisch of Oshkosh, and the latter’s small son, ostensibly to prepare his summer cottage for the fishing and vacation season.

When his wife and daughter called him for lunch Thursday and received no response they began the search which revealed his hat, glasses, and pipe.

Occupants and neighboring cottages located the body with poles and succeeded in pulling it out of about 10 feet of water before Oneida County authorities arrived at the scene. The impossibility of resuscitation was immediately recognized and no attempt was made to revive him.

Coroner Onson said that it would not be necessary to call an inquest.

Members of the family said that Greunke had been despondent for some time. Mr. and Mrs. Greunke came to Marshfield to live in October 1937 and resided at 906 S. Maple St. Greunke was born in the Town of Larrabee, Waupaca County, on March 3, 1885, spent his youth on the farm of his father, Fred Greunke, in that community, and started in the dairy business for himself at the age of 15.

He established the present Greunke cheese factory, now operated by his son, Victor, in York Township, Clark County, 23 years ago, building it up from a small plant to one of the best of its kind in the area.

He was married to Lorena Bleck of Larrabee Township, Waupaca County, in 1907. Their children are Victor R. Greunke, Granton; Edgar A. Greunke, Milwaukee; Mrs. K.P. Rindfleisch, Oshkosh, and Mrs. Guy Simpson, Washington, D.C.

There are also four brothers and a sister: Richard, Auburndale; Herman, Rhinelander; Frank and August, Clintonville, and Mrs. William Kuschel. Another brother, Albert, preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be conducted at the Seehafer-Hansen Funeral Home here at 2:30 p.m. and at Immanuel Lutheran Church at 3 p.m. Saturday, the Rev. G. M. Krueger officiating. Burial will take place in Hillside Cemetery.

1920 Federal Census, York, Clark, Wisconsin

Name: Otto F. Greunke
Age: 34
Birthplace: Wisconsin
Spouse's Name: Lorena Greunke
Father's Birth Place: Germany
Mother's Birth Place: Germany
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Sex: Male
Home owned: Own
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members
Otto F Greunke 34
Lorena Greunke 31
Victor Greunke 11
Velinda Greunke 10
Vera Greunke 10
Edgar Greunke 8

1930 Federal Census, York, Clark, Wisconsin

Name: O F Greunke
Home in 1930:
Age: 44
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1886
Birthplace: Wisconsin
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's Name: Lorena Greunke
Race: White
Parents' birthplace: View image
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
O F Greunke 44
Lorena Greunke 41
Victor Greunke 22
Edgar Greunke 18