Hannah Mae (SHELLENBERGER) HALL 1892-1963

 

Hannah Mae (SHELLENBERGER) HALL, my Great Grandmother, was born June 25, 1892 to Samuel Jefferson SHELLENBERGER and Christiana Anna (NEUSCHWANGER) SHELLENBERGER in Blencoe, Monona County, Iowa. Hannah was born and raised as a Mennonite before she was eventually baptized into the First Christian Church of Onawa, Iowa.

On February 10, 1908 Hannah married Jerry Richard HALL in Onawa, Monona County, Iowa. They were the parents of 13 children, 6 boys and 7 girls. Hannah died December 22, 1963, nine years after her husband, at the age of 71 in Onawa, Monona County, Iowa.

Here is the obituary of Hannah (SHELLENBERGER) HALL, as transcribed from The Onawa Weekly Democrat, Onawa, Monona County, Iowa, January 2, 1964.

Hannah (SHELLENBERGER) HALL was born June 25, 1892 at Blencoe and passed from this life at Burgess Memorial hospital Sunday evening, December 22. Death came quietly. She had reached the age of 71 years, five months and 27 days. On February 21 1907, she was united in marriage with Jerry Richard HALL at Onawa. He preceded her in death December 23, 1954. For the past 13 years she had been a resident of Onawa and prior to that had made her home in Castana. She was a member of the Rebekah Lodge of Onawa. She accepted the Christ as her savior and was baptized in the First Christian Church of Onawa on September 13, 1961. Mrs. HALL had been very faithful in the church since becoming a member.

Survivors include her four sons, Samuel R. and William J. of Castana, Clarence of Hubbard, Neb., and James of Redlands, Calif.; six daughters, Mrs. William (Anna Mae) JENKINS of Dexter, Minn., Mrs. Doris COLLETT and Mrs. Kenneth (Nellie) RODGERS of Onawa, Mrs. Floyd (Betty Jean) RIDDLE of Mapleton, Mrs. Ernest (June) SICK and Mrs. Jay (Jane) FIELD of Onawa; 28 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; a brother, C. R. (Clarence David) SHELLENBERGER of Turner, Ore.; a number of other relatives and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by two sons, Glen and Junior (Jerry Eugene), and a daughter, Margaret.

The funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 24 at the First Christian Church. Rev. Wayne Hall sang "Rock of Ages" and "Beyond the Sunset", accompanied at the organ by Miss Connie JOHNSON. Casket bearers were Warren and Roger HALL, Ronald WENDTE, Emil ROHDE, Charles RIDDLE and Chris SORENSON. Interment was in the Graceland Cemetery at Blencoe with arrangements by the Pearson Funeral Home.

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Gertrude Bertha (RAUSCHKE) WILLHITE 1909-1999

 

Gertrude was born to Fred RAUSCHKE and Bertha KUESTER in New Ulm, Brown County, Minnesota. She married Clarence WILLHITE on October 14, 1930 in New Ulm, Minnesota where they raised three children. Gertrude would spend her entire life in New Ulm, living and raising her family only a block away from her childhood home. Gertrude was a homemaker, working occasionally at Union Hospital and The Sportsman's Grill in downtown New Ulm, Minnesota. Gertrude was very active member of St John's Lutheran Church and St Paul's Lutheran Church prior to the organization of St John's Lutheran Church, both churches located in New Ulm, Minnesota. She belonged to St John's Ladies Aid for many years and was a Red Cross volunteer at the local hospitals and nursing homes for many years as well.

OBITUARY

Gertrude WILLHITE, 90, of New Ulm, died Saturday, Oct. 9, 1999, at New Ulm Medical Center. Services are 2 p.m. Tuesday at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Ulm with burial in the Lutheran Cemetery in New Ulm.

Visitation is 5-7 p.m. today at Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in New Ulm and continues for one hour prior to the time of the service Tuesday at the church.

She is survived by her daughter (Living) of New Ulm; her son Robert of Little Falls; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one-great great-grandchild; and brother, Martin RAUSCHKE of Waukesha, Wis. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clarence WILLHITE on Sept. 24, 1982; brother, Armin RAUSCHKE; sister, Edna KRAUSE; grandsons Perry and Michael Ludlum; daughter-in-law, Carol (BUEGE) WILLHITE. (It should be noted here that Gertrude was also preceded in death by her oldest daughter, Ruth Mary HALL, January 15, 1995.)

She was born Feb. 23, 1909, in New Ulm to Fred and Bertha RAUSCHKE. She attended St. Paul's Lutheran School and graduated from the high school department of Dr. Martin Luther College. She married Clarence WILLHITE on Oct. 14, 1930, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in New Ulm. She was a member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Ulm. She was also a Red Cross worker.

(Published in The Journal, New Ulm, MN; October 11, 1999)

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Clarence Galan WILLHITE 1911-1982

 

Clarence Galan WILLHITE was born in Olney, Richland County, Illinois to Isaac Price WILLHITE and Mary Elizabeth KALTRIDER. Clarence lived on the family farm with his parents; two older brothers, Dan and Raymond; and two older sisters, Ada and Bernice. By 1920, the family had relocated to Milford Township, Brown County, Minnesota. Clarence would go on to marry Gertrude RAUSCHKE on October 14, 1930 in New Ulm, Minnesota where they would live and raise three children.

Clarence worked for the City of New Ulm at the City Power Plant. After his children were grown, he built a house in New Ulm, Minnesota. Clarence and his friends put their skills together as they built the house themselves. Being a knowledgeable electrician, Clarence installed the electrical wiring in the house while his friends helped with the construction and plumbing. This is the house that he and his wife would live in for the rest of their lives.

Clarence enjoyed hunting and fishing along with horseback riding and was known for the golden Labrador hunting dogs he raised. In the early years he kept his horse stabled in the backyard and enjoyed riding. After retirement, Clarence spent time fishing, hunting and horseback riding, although his horse was no longer kept in his backyard. Clarence died at home in the house he built in New Ulm, Minnesota on September 24, 1982.

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Frances Minnie (FUHRMAN) HALL 1913-1987

Frances Hall, my maternal grandmother on the left and Bill Hall, my paternal grandfather on the right. This picture was taken at my graduation from Martin Luther Academy, New Ulm, Minnesota.

Frances was born February 21, 1913 in Bowden, Wells County, North Dakota to Fredrick Fuhrman and Christina (Nagel) Fuhrmann who along with Frances' oldest brother, 5 months old at the time, immigrated to North Dakota from Russia in the late 1893. They were also accompanied by several members of the Fuhrmann family. Frances's mother died when Frances was 13 and Frances went to live with her sister Fredricka (Fuhrmann) Holte in Aneta, Nelson County, North Dakota, not far from Cathay.

Frances met her future husband during one of the North Dakota wheat harvests. Bill Hall had come to work for the wheat harvest during the early years of the Dustbowl. They married in Cathay and after the wheat harvest, Bill returned to Iowa with his new wife.

Bill and Francis  were married for 55 years and raised 4 children, three boys and a girl.  After the children were grown, Frances held several jobs in Castana, Turin and Onawa. In Castana, Iowa, she worked for The Sweet Shoppe and as a cook at the Castana School before becoming a secretary for the school. She also worked for a time as a cook at Bennett Nursing Home in Turin, Iowa and several years as a waitress at the Happy Chef in Onawa, Iowa before retiring in December of 1984.

Frances died July 1, 1987 and was buried July 3, 1987 at Center Cemetery, Castana, Monona County, Iowa. 

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William Jonathan “Bill” HALL 1910-1989

 

Grandpa Bill Hall is on the far right. In the middle is Fred Fuhrman, his father-in-law and my Great Grandfather. On the far left is Fred Fuhrman, his brother-in-law and my Grand Uncle.

Thanks to my Aunt for this picture, it is one of my favorites.

Below, I have shamelessly copied Bill Hall’s biography which was written by his wife, Frances M (FURHMAN) HALL. She can tell his story better than I could. Names of anyone still living have been removed out of respect for their privacy, if I have missed anyone, I apologize. Otherwise this is unedited and exactly as Frances HALL wrote it sometime after her son Ron HALL died in 1985 and before she died in 1987.

William Jonathan “Bill” Hall 1910-1989

Below, I have shamelessly copied Bill Hall’s biography which was written by his wife, Frances M (FURHMAN) HALL She can tell his story better than I could. Names of anyone still living have been removed out of respect for their privacy otherwise this is unedited and exactly as Frances wrote it sometime after Ron Hall died in 1985 and before she died in 1987.

William (Bill) J. Hall -- Frances M. Fuhrman - Wife

Bill was born in Onawa, Iowa, August 26, 1910, the second son of J. Richard and Hannah Shellenberger. Bill's father, Richard, often called Jerry or Dick, was born on a farm near Smithland, Iowa. Bill's mother was born in the rural Blencoe area. His father worked in a lumber yard a few years and went to farming near Castana when Bill was a small boy. Mr. Hall played the violin and often played for country dances in family homes.  The first car they owned was a Model T. Ford. Bill's dad did not drive a car, horses were to his liking, so Sam and Bill did the driving of the family car. In later years when the older boys were gone form the home, Mrs. Hall did the driving. Bill's parents farmed near Castana until 1952. They retired and moved to Onawa in November of that year. Bill has seven sisters and five brothers: Anna (JENKINS) of Austin, Minnesota; Margaret, died in infancy; Doris (COLLETT) of Onawa, died in 1984; Nellie (RODGERS) of Onawa; Betty (GEORGIOUS) of Denison; Eileen (SICK) of Onawa; STILL LIVING of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Samuel R. of Castana; Clarence (Bud) of Venice, Florida; Glen, deceased; Richard Eugene Jr., died in early childhood; James Calvin, of Amarillo, Texas. In the fall of 1932 (the lean thirty years) Bill went to North Dakota for the harvest. He worked on a farm that winter and next year. He met Francis and in April 1933, they were married. In September 1933, they came to Iowa. Bill worked as a farm laborer on farms near Turin and Castana. He worked for Bill Hussell of Turin for many years. He started farming for himself in the early forties and rented a farm from Mr. Hussell near Castana.

Bill and Frances had four children: Ronald William, deceased March 20, 1985; STILL LIVING of Arvada, Colorado; Roger Gene, of Onawa, Iowa; STILL LIVING of Elizabeth, Colorado.  All four children graduated from the Castana School. The boys were active in sports and STILL LIVING was active in sports and vocal music. They attended the Castana Community Church. After graduation from high school, the boys joined the Navy.

[Removed out of respect for privacy of the living. Bill HALL’s biography is affected minimally by this removal.]

While raising the family, Bill had several jobs along with and after his farming. He worked on construction, drove the Castana school bus, and was custodian of Castana School for a few years. A farmer at heart, he quit the job of custodian and went to work on a farm south of Castana for Thayer E. Brown II of Turin. We have lived on this farm for about twenty-five years and are semi-retired. As a hobby, Bill raises watermelons.

After the children were grown, Francis worked at various jobs. Operated the Sweete Shoppe in Castana for a few years, was cook at the Castana School for several years, was secretary of the school for a couple of years, was a cook at Bennett Nursing Home in Turin for several years, and a waitress at the Happy Chef in Onawa for several years, retiring in December of 1984. In April 1983 we celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary. All four of our children and their families were able to be there. Our children hosted the reception and Castana Ladies Aid served. The reception was in the Castana Community Church.

We have eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

by F.M.H.

Bill HALL died February 10, 1989 in Castana, Iowa. He was buried at Center Cemetery, Castana, Monona County, Iowa on February 13, 1989.

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Ruth Mary (WILLHITE) HALL 1933-1995

 

Ruth Mary WILLHITE was my mother. She was born March 16, 1933 to Clarence Galan WILLHITE and Gertrude Bertha RAUSCHKE in New Ulm, Minnesota. She grew up in New Ulm with her parents, an older brother and a younger sister.

Ruth attended St. Paul's Lutheran School in New Ulm, Minnesota. She continued her education in New Ulm, Minnesota at Martin Luther Academy and Dr Martin Luther College to become a teacher. Due to a teacher shortage at the time, she left college after two years to teach parochial school in Tucson, Arizona. Ruth married Ronald William HALL on May 19, 1956 in San Diego, California and continued to teach as a substitute parochial school teacher in many of the places she lived while moving with her husband, Ronald HALL and their son and daughter.

After Ruth and Ronald settled in New Ulm, Minnesota, Ruth took up riding again and kept a horse on a farm near New Ulm for several years. She also continued using her teaching skills and tutored several local students, specializing in dyslexia.

Ruth and Ronald parted ways and were divorced on November 16, 1984 in Brown County, Minnesota. She never remarried and lived in New Ulm, Minnesota until she died on January 15, 1995. She was cremated and her ashes were buried with her parents in St Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, New Ulm, Minnesota on January 17, 1995.

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Ronald “Ronnie” William HALL (1934-1985)

Ronald HALL was my father and was born to Jonathan William HALL and Frances Minnie FUHRMAN in Kennebec Township, Iowa. He grew up with his parents, two brothers and a sister on a farm in Castana, Iowa where he graduated from Castana High School in 1953.

On December 28, 1954, Ronald enlisted in the Navy. Most of his time in the Navy was spent being stationed on the west coast in California although he was also stationed in Minnesota, Tennessee and Illinois for a time. He also went on cruise twice as an electronics specialist, sailing to South America and around Cape Horn aboard the USS Ranger and to Asia aboard the USS Hornet.

On May 19, 1956, he married Ruth Mary WILHITE, the daughter of Clarence and Gertrude (RAUSCHKE) WILHITE, in San Diego, California. Ronald and Ruth had two children, a son and a daughter. Ronald moved his family to each place he was stationed until he retired from the Navy on September 22, 1975.  Ronald and his family then settled in New Ulm, Minnesota, his wife Ruth’s hometown. Here he worked as a parts manager at a local car dealership for a number of years.

Ronald and Ruth would remain married for 28 years until they divorced November 16, 1984, in Brown County, Minnesota. On December 26, 1985, Ronald married Katherine (SEATON) WEBER in Elk Point, South Dakota. They made their home in Mapleton, Iowa but shortly after they were married, Ronald died. They had been married for just under 3 months before he had a heart attack and died on March 20, 1985. Ronald was buried March 23, 1985 at Center Cemetery, Castana Iowa. 

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