Wilhelm Gerken

Wilhelm Gerken, the fifth of seven children of Herman and Mary (Manke) Gerken was born February 18, 1866. His parents were the first Low German speaking people to settle in Freedom Township in 1857. His father, a farmer, farmed over 120 acres of land, on which seven children were born. Henry, the oldest, married Anna Gathman. Mary married Fred Huner. Frederick married Ida Hogrefe. The fourth child, Herman F. married Minnie Bischoff. Wilhelm married Anna Eggers. George married Emma Meyer and John, the youngest, married Sophia Meyer.

Wilhelm and Anna were married on April 16, 1896 by Pastor L. Damman at the bride's home. She was the daughter of Henry W. and Mary (Norden) Eggers and was born on October 10, 1874, the oldest of five children. These children being Helen, who married Fred Heitman, Dora married Fred Winkleman. Carl married Emelia Lohse and Emma married Henry Wolfenberg.

Wilhelm and Anna farmed in Freedom township, buying a farm on what is now County Road T. This farm is still in the family. Wilhelm and Anna had eight children: Mary, Theodore, Dorothy, Carl, Anna, Emma, William and Eldor.

Mary (b. April 5, 1898) the oldest, married Carl Rosebrock on November 4, 1920. Much preparation would go into a wedding. They were married at the home place on a Thursday, but the week before the ladies were already starting to prepare the food that would be served to the guests. Lots of noodles were made for the noodle soup, which was always the first course served to the guests. From the egg whites the bride's cake would be baked, an angel food cake. They would also make other cakes, cookies, butcher chickens and perhaps a hog and a beef for the main course. Of course no wedding menu would be complete until the coffee cake was made. It was at Mary's wedding that the coffee cake failed to rise and so Anna was up late the night before the wedding making coffee cake. It was also customary for invited neighbors to bring a bowl of butter. Many women took great pride in carving pretty designs in the butter, hoping their bowl would be put on the bride's table. The wedding took place at 10 in the morning, after which was served the wedding feast. The afternoon was spent visiting relatives and friends followed by a small supper. The day ended with a barn dance. Each man was expected to dance at least once with the bride after which he would pin some money to her veil. He would then be given a ribbon to wear in his lapel to show others he had danced. If he couldn't dance he would have someone dance for him and still be able to wear a ribbon. About midnight another meal was served, with the dancing continuing till early morning.

Carl and Mary had seven children. Hildegard married Carl Maassel and they have five children: Marlin, Loren, Donald, Elmer and Susan. Laura, born September 28, 1924, died in June, 1925. Eldor married Elnora Gobrogge and they have five children: Mary, Carlton, Lester, Michael and Arlene. Walter married Lois Hoops and they have four children: Teresa, Donna, Laurie (deceased), and Alan. Arnold married Mary Ann Schroeder and they have five children: Daniel, Patricia, Barry, Richard and Roger. Marilyn married Robert Hershberger and they have two children, Scott and Pamela. Lester, born April 24, 1938, died three days later.

Theodore (b. September 28, 1899), the oldest son, married Ida Meinenberg and they had four children. William died in infancy. Anna Marie married Norman Behnfeldt and they have four children: Douglas, Angela, Jon and Lori. Victor married Emily Panning and they have four children: Allan, Karen, Loren and Gary. Delores married Eugene Bernath and they have five children: Danny, David, Jan, James and Julie.

Dorothy (b. April 24, 1901) married Johannes Rosebrock on May 3, 1923. He was a brother to Carl. They had five children. Harold married Lois Cordes and they have two children, Rodney and Randy. Edwin married Annetta Behrman and they have four children: Debra, John, James and David. Mary Ann married Donald Botjer and they have three children, Denise, Darrel and Danette. Lucia works as a secretary at the Gerald Elevator. Lorna married Delbert Behr- man, a brother to Annetta, and they have four children: Tim, Todd, Tom and Andrea.

Carl F. (b. April 3, 1903) married Laura Buchhop in January, 1928. They had three children. Julian married Carolyn Bunke and they have two children, Shelly and David. Brent, Julie and Michael are children from a previous marriage. Luther married Dorothy Baker and they have three children, Bradley, Marc and Angela. Beverly died in infancy. Laura died on December 31, 1961. In 1967 Carl married Esther Ruetz, the widow of Alfred Ruetz.

Anna died in childhood.

Emma (b. May 3, 1907) married Fred Buchhop in March, 1928. He was a brother to Laura. They had four children. Raymond died in 1950 at the age of twenty. Marvin married Marlene Wiemken and they have four children: Steve, Sherry, Tracey and Todd. Henry married Irene Rauch and they have three children, Michael, Kevin and Jeffrey. Marian works at the Napoleon Creamery.

William (b. May 24, 1909) married Louise Badenhop in October, 1930 and they had six children. Elverna married Delbert Miller and they had five children: Verlinda, Connie, James, who died in October 1974, Barbara and Bruce. Delbert drowned in *1969 and in January, 1977, Elverna married Wilbur Prigge. William married Joann Storch and they have two children, Lisa and Kathy. Wallace died in infancy. Harlen married Deane Burkholder and they have three children, Jody, Tom and Jill. Roger and Burton work for construction companies.

Eldor (b. February 28, 1912) married Luella Schroeder in June, 1933 and they had three children. Norma Jean married Randall Schudel and they have three children, Diane (deceased), Steven and Scott. Eldor Jr. married Rosalyn Young and they have four children: Barbara, David, Stacey and Lyn- lay. Frederick lives in Michigan.

Wilhelm, who was well liked, served as a township trustee and an officer at St. John Lutheran Church. He died of a heart attack on December 14, '1927 and is buried at the church cemetery. Anna kept things running smoothly after Wilhelm's death. She is fondly remembered for her independence and her ability to get things done. She died on July 19, 1958 at the age of eighty-three years and is also buried in the church cemetery next to her husband.

Submitted by: Mrs. Donald Maassel