Brockmueller, William F. (1870-1961)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 16 Nov 1961 p. 10

Birth date: 1870

text of obituary:

WILLIAM F. BROCKMUELLER

William Fredric Brockmueller, oldest son of Wilhelm and Mary (Patow) Brockmueller, was born on Nov. 27, 1870 at Schweren Meclenburg, Germany. At the age of four years he migrated with his parents to America, and homesteaded in Yankton County, South Dakota.

He later established his own home on a farm in Walshtown township, and in 1913 bought a farm in Turner County, nine miles southeast of Freeman.

He was baptized in his infancy, and received by right hand of fellowship into the Evangelical Church at Yankton in 1887. In 1934 he joined the Salem Mennonite church at Freeman where he remained a faithful member.

On Oct. 25, 1899 he was united in marriage with Mary P. Preheim. In 1949 they were privileged to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, after which Mary’s health began to fail. She was taken from his side June 15, 1950.

The last five years he was cared for by his children. He died on Oct. 12 in the Freeman Community Hospital, at the age of 90 years, 10 months and 15 days.

William was the oldest child in his father’s family, and outlived all his brothers and sisters. He was a God-fearing man and took life seriously. While living in Yankton county, he was instrumental in building a small church on his own land where Sunday school and occasionally preaching services were held.

Remaining to mourn his passing are three sons and wives, Elias and Lilly, Samuel and Kathrine, David and Eileen; one daughter, Ella, all of Freeman; two sisters-in-law Anna, Mrs. Karl Brockmueller, and Christine, Mrs. Henry Brockmuelller; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, and many relatives and friends.