Carl F. Bethke was born on June 7, 1912 in Stanton Township, New Richmond, the son of Ferdinand Bethke and Alvina (Luepke) Bethke. He attended school through the eighth grade. After the untimely deaths of his father, Ferdinand, and brothers, Arthur and Willie, Carl remained on the family farm helping his mother and sisters.
On October 18, 1939, Carl was united in marriage to Marjorie Rundhammer, and to this union nine children were born. Life on the family farm brought hard work and joy to Carl, Marge and their children. In his earlier years Carl immensely enjoyed hunting, fishing, and some woodworking in his free time.
In 1975 they retired from the farm and moved to the shores of North Twin Lake in Amery. In 1990 Carl suffered a stroke which paralyzed his right side. Marge cared for Carl in their Amery home for seven years. In 1997 both were in poor health which required the need for their final home at the St. Croix Health Center in New Richmond where Carl passed away Tuesday, December 30, 2003.
Carl was preceded in death by Marge, his wife of 62 years; infant son Keith; parents, Ferdinand and Alvina; brothers, Willie and Arthur; sisters, Elsie (Fred) Dubois, Edna (Al) Brusehoff, Delia (Lester) Frank, Ida (Ted) Orf, and Elvira (Bob) Berkseth.
Left to mourn are three sons, Bob (Ginny), David (Shirley) and Chuck; five daughters, Judy (Art) Holle, Sharon (Don) Tarnowski, Linda (Steve) Schmidt, Cindy (Jerry) Cody, and Bonnie (Paul) Gehrman; 22 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; as well as many other relatives and friends.
Carl was a rare and decent man who praised his heritage, loved mother earth, and modeled dignity to all through the infirmities of his later years.
Funeral services were 11 a.m. Saturday, January 3, 2004 at Redeemer Lutheran Church with Pastor Paul Wiegert officiating, and his wife Linda Wiegert playing the organ.
Casketbearers for the funeral service were David Bethke, Keith Bethke, Thomas Bethke, Paul Tarnowski, Michael Bethke, Gene Cody, Duane Bethke, Tim Cody, Karl Holle, Ryan Gehrman, Kristofer Holle, and Cooper Gehrman.
Interment was in Calvary Cemetery in Deer Park.
Williamson Funeral Home in Amery assisted the family with funeral arrangements.
(New Richmond News - Thursday, January 8, 2004)
CARL F. BETHKE
Services for Carl F. Bethke, 92, were Saturday, January 3, at Redeemer Lutheran church. Pastor Paul Wiegert officiated with Linda Wiegert as organist.
Caskerbearers were David Bethke, Keith Bethke, Thomas Bethke, Paul Tarnowski, Michael Bethke, Gene Cody, Duane Bethke, Tim Cody, Karl Holle, Ryan Gehrman, Kristofer Holle and Cooper Gehrman.
Interment was in Calvary Cemetery, Deer Park, with Williamson Funeral Home in Amery assisting the family.
Carl F. Bethke was born on June 7, 1912, in Stanton Township, New Richmond, the son of Ferdinand Bethke and Alvin (Luepke) Bethke. He attended school through the eighth grade.
After the untimely death of his father and brothers Arthur and Willie, he remained on the family farm helping his mother and sisters.
On October 18, 1939, he was married to Marjorie Rundhammer, and nine children were born.
In 1975 they retired from the farm and moved to the shores of North Twin Lake, Amery.
In 1990, he suffered a stroke which paralyzed his right side. His wife cared for him in their Amery home for seven years. In 1997 both were in poor health and they entered St. Croix Health Center, New Richmond. He died at the Center on Tuesday, December 30.
He was preceded in death by Marge, his wife of 62 years; infant son, Keith; parents, Ferdinand and Alvina; brothers, Willie and Arthur; sisters, Elsie (Fred) Dubois, Edna (Al) Brusehoff, Delia (Lester) Frank, Ida (Ted) Orf and Elvira (Bob) Berkseth.
Survivors include three sons, Bob (Ginny), David (Shirley) and Chuck; five daughters, Judy (Art) Holle, Sharon (Don) Tarnowski, Linda (Steve) Schmidt, Cindy (Jerry) Cody and Bonnie (Paul) Gehrman; 22 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
(Amery Free Press - Tuesday, January 6, 2004)
