Friday, December 19, 2014
The End...for Now.
In the next few weeks I will be polishing up the Willems story, working to correct any errors to present it at its best. A bit of refinement, some overlooked stories, and other tidbits will be added. If any of my cousins wish to contribute a better obituary or photos for their parents please know that would be welcome as would any other interesting old letters, documents, or stories. Now's the time! This has to be worked up into MS Word before it can be a book--whether it will be sent out on a CD/DVD or in a book form. Please email me at katdan@centurytel.net if you are interested in having a copy and I will begin compiling a list. Next month I will be going back to work full time until mid April, so work on this project will grind to a halt until I'm free to resume its completion.
The Willems family in the 21st Century
Frank Willems died suddenly on July 14, 2000 at his home outside Paris. He was a much loved man, well known for his good deeds and humor, so as expected had a large, well attended funeral at the family's home parish of St. Benedict's in Subiaco. A more touching service has never been held.
Frank J. Willems
Obit from the Johnson
County “Graphic”
Frank J. Willems, 81, of Paris died Friday, July 14, 2000,
at his home.
He served as state representative for Logan County and parts
of Johnson County from 1972 to his retirement in 1999. He was reelected 12
times to the Legislature only once with opposition. He was chairman of the
House Audit Committee and Southern Legislators Energy Conference. He was
instrumental in having Mount Magazine declared a state park.
He served on the board of directors of North Logan County
Hospital, St. Edward Mercy Medical Center in Fort Smith and the Florence
Crittendon Home for women and children and for the Area Agency on Aging. He
also served as president of Logan County Farmer's Cooperative for several years
and served on the President's Council of Subiaco Abbey.
He was a son of the late John and Anna Guenther Willems,
member of St. Benedict's Parish in Subiaco where he served as Eucharistic
Minister, third degree Knight of Columbus, and a member of the Kiwanis Club and
St. Benedict's Men's Society.
Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Regina Lensing Willems;
five daughters and sons-in-law, Dolores and Mike Hofrichter and Ramona and
Harold Keizer of Fort Smith, Mary and Joe Eckart and Roseann and Nick Kennedy
of Russellville, and Joan and Wayne Davis of Melissa, Texas; three sons and two
daughters-in-law, Dennis and Norma Willems and John Willems of Paris and
Michael and Cathy Willems of Searcy; one sister, Anna Marie Kloke of Tucson,
Ariz.; five brothers, Aloys of Milwaukee, Wis., John of Mountain Home, and
Ophelia Manus, Thurman Manus, and Haskell Manus; 35 grandchildren; and 12
great-grandchildren.
Rosary was at 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 17, at St. Benedict's
Church. Funeral was at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 18, at St. Benedict's Church in
Subiaco.
Active pallbearers were grandchildren.
Honorary pallbearers were members of St. Benedict's Society. Memorials may be made to the Frank and Regina Willems Scholarship Fund at Subiaco Academy.
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| click to enlarge- Letter of sympathy from President Bill Clinton to Regina Willems. |
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| Frank Willems family was awarded the honor of being Grand Marshalls at the Paris Frontier Days in 2000. |
Almost two years after Frank's death Regina Willems cut the ribbon at the dedication ceremony of Mount Magazine State Park on May 16, 2002. It was a culmination of her husband Frank's work, and though he wasn't there in body, his spirit was surely felt.
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Thurman Owen "Tommy" Manus, 83, died April 15, 2003 in Texas. He was born January 19, 1920, in Booneville, Arkansas to Adron and Zola Mae Manus. Visitation for the 83 year old Thurman Manus was April 16, 2003 at Waxahachie Funeral Home. A rosary was said the following day at St. Joseph Catholic Church, followed by the funeral Mass. Burial was at Lakeview Cemetery, in Waxahachie, Texas.U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 about Thurman Manus
Name: Thurman Manus
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 19 Jan 1920
Death Date: 15 Apr 2003
Branch 1: NAVY
Enlistment Date 1: 14 Nov 1939
Release Date 1: 27 Nov 1945
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John Stephen Willems, 75, the youngest of John M. and Anna Marie's children died at his home outside Mountain Home, Arkansas, on the morning of February 11, 2004. Though diagnosed with colon cancer in 1996, it was caught early enough to completely remove it-- a fact that made him weep as by this time he'd lost his brothers Matt and Justin to colon cancer. He and his wife, Dolores, lived life to the fullest after that, counting their blessings as they traveled the world. The month before his death, John was diagnosed with cancer of the brain, but where this metastasized from was a mystery until a lung biopsy told the story. His family considered it a blessing that he didn't linger or suffer long before reaping his eternal reward.
John S. Willems, 75, of Mountain Home died Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2004, at his residence.
He was born Feb. 28, 1928, in Paris, Ark., to John M. and Anna M. Guenther Willems. On April 25, 1953, he married Dolores H. Pupp in Milwaukee. He moved to Mountain Home on June 10, 1969, from Milwaukee.
Mr. Willems was a real estate agent, broker, architectural designer, builder and former owner of Fish and Fiddle Resort. A U.S. Army Korean War veteran, he was a faithful member of St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church where he served as lector from 1970-1980. He also was a Eucharistic minister at church, ministered to the sick at Auburn Hills Health and Rehabilitation and private homes from 1975 to the present and did much carpentry work at St. Peter's. He designed and built the Knights of Columbus building (with a group of men ages 60-84). Mr. Willems served on St. Peter's Parish Council for three years; was a third- and fourth-degree Knight of Columbus and member of Holy Name Society; was a Catholic youth organization moderator for two years and was a member of Moose Lodge. He helped found Tracy Area Volunteer Fire Department, served on its board of directors and was its first president. He enjoyed traveling and fishing.
He is survived by his wife, Dolores H. Willems of the home; three sons, Stephen (Lynn) Willems of Shillington, Pa., Daniel (Lynn) Willems of Dallas and Paul (Jane) Willems of Waco, Texas; two daughters, Susan (Joseph) Butler of Jonesboro and Kathy (Daniel) Hodnett of Mountain Home; one brother, Aloys Willems; one sister, Anna Marie Kloke; seven grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers and three sisters.
Visitation will be from noon-9 p.m. today at Roller Funeral Home with the family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m. A Vigil Service will be 7 p.m. today in Roller Chapel with Deacon Richard Linstad officiating.
A Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church with the Rev. James Fanrak as celebrant. Entombment will be at Baxter Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to Subiaco Abbey, St. Peter's Catholic Church Building Fund or a favorite charity.
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| 2002, John and Dolores visit Blanchard Springs with their children and grandchildren |
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Leon Haskell Manus died February 25, 2005 in Tucson, Arizona. He was 87.U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 about Leon Manus
Name: Leon Manus
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 16 Dec 1917
Death Date: 28 Feb 2005
Branch 1: NAVY
Enlistment Date 1: 18 Apr 1947
Release Date 1: 21 Apr 1948
-----------------------------------------------Nina "Ophelia" Manus Hunter, 84, died October 23, 2007 in Tallahassee, Florida. It was November 2, a beautiful day with a light breeze, that the Manus and Hunter families buried Ophelia's ashes at Dug Hill Cemetery after a ceremony officiated by her nephew Stanley Manus, Jr, in the tiny chapel there.
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Regina Lensing Willems, widow of Frank, died February 3, 2008 where she was being cared for at a nursing home in Charleston, Arkansas.
From the Times Record (Fort Smith) February 5, 2008, her obituary reads:
Regina Elizabeth Lensing Willems
Regina Elizabeth Lensing Willems, 89, of Paris died in Charleston, surrounded by her children, on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008. She was born in Shoal Creek to Ida Engel and Henry Lensing on Jan. 6, 1919. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 55 years, Frank J. Willems; brothers, Ed, Donald and Raymond Lensing; sister, Bertha Lensing Neumeier; four siblings who died in early childhood, Stella, Gregory, Elizabeth and Earnest; her son-in-law, Harold Keizer; and grandson, Kirk Myers.
Regina experienced the joys and sorrows of a large family, and as a young girl during the great Depression, she knew the value of hard work. She loved music and learned to play the piano from the Benedictine sisters at St. Scholastica in Shoal Creek. She played and sang for her children and grandchildren throughout her life. She expressed creativity in her work and was a talented seamstress and quilter. Her needlework was amazing. The works she created remain the treasures of her family. In 1944, she met the love of her life, Frank, while working as a waitress at the Blue Mill Cafe in Paris, where he was delivering milk. Six months later, they married.She and Frank had five daughters and three sons. She was a quiet and strong woman, content to raise a family while supporting Frank as he went from farmer to public servant and businessman. Life on the farm meant feeding family by raising vegetables and chickens and constant canning and cooking. Her homemade bread was legendary in the family. She made all of her children’s clothing by hand in the early years. Her flower garden and wild birds were always a source of pleasure to her.
She loved her family and church and was always involved in St. Benedict’s parish activities, in the Mother’s Society, church choir, North Logan County Hospital Auxiliary, and Legion of Mary. All eight children are adults grateful for the loving and happy upbringing they received. Mrs. Willems had 36 grandchildren at the time of her passing.
She is survived by three sons, Dennis and Norma Willems, John Willems and Michael and Cathy Willems and five daughters, Dolores and Mike Hofrichter, Ramona Keizer, Mary and
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| Regina tends her flowers, circa 1985 |
The family would like to express their grateful appreciation to the caregivers who assisted Regina in her final years of life and to Greenhurst Nursing Center in Charleston for the loving care of their mother.
Memorials may be made to the Subiaco Abbey and Academy Frank and Regina Willems Scholarship Fund or Arkansas Right to Life.
Rosary will be held today at 7:30 p.m. at St. Benedict Catholic Church.
Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008, at 9 a.m. at St. Benedict Catholic Church with burial to follow at St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery under the direction of Roller Funeral Home, Paris. Online guest book www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.
Pallbearers will be Andrew Eckart, Michael Kennedy, Jonathan Keizer, Eric Hofrichter, Philip Davis, Nathan Willems, Bryce Willems and Raymond Eckart.
Honorary pallbearers are her grandchildren.
----------------------------------------------------------Aloys Jacob Willems, known as Ollie to his family, and Al to his many friends, died May 6, 2009 in West Allis, Wisconsin. As he aged, Aloys was put in a nursing home to receive the care he needed. He had fallen multiple times and required therapy. He also had a terrible time swallowing and for his last months couldn't eat solid food. He lost much weight in the final years on this earth and is surely in a better place. At age 92, Aloys was the longest lived of his siblings and a master of the pun. He is remembered for his devoutness to God, his love for family, and the lively sense of humor with which he tackled life.
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| Aloys and Anne in 2005 |
Just over a year after losing her husband, Aloys, Anne Rose Wagner Willems died on July 3, 2010 in Milwaukee.
She is remembered as a caring wife and mother of three. Through the years her hands were busy fashioning beautiful quilts and comforters, a legacy she passed on to several generations. As a farmer's wife she enjoyed baking, preserving food, and gardening. She continued these pass times even after moving to Milwaukee, taking pride in the family garden patch behind their home, and in her flowers. Anne doted on her grandchildren, and as they came along, on her great-grandchildren, delighting in every visit.
Anne was 92 when she passed away. She was laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery alongside Aloys.
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| September 22, 2002-Anne Willems with a flannel baby quilt she made for a great niece's baby. |
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| Aloys and Anne Willems in 1996 |
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| 9-22-2002 Aloys, Anna Marie, and Anne |
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| Circa 1983 Anna Marie and Bud Kloke with youngest son Jim Bub (center). Jim passed away July 2, 2003 in Fond du Lac, WI leaving a dear wife and two sons. |
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| 9-21-2002 Anna Marie Kloke with her niece Phyllis Wescott |
Anna Marie Willems Kloke died November 5, 2010 in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. She was 87.
May 4, 1923 - November 5, 2010
Anna Marie Kloke (nee Willems) Formerly Anna Marie Bub. Born into Eternal Life on Nov. 5, 2010. Age 87 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hank Bub and Bud Kloke, her son, James Bub and her grandson, Timothy Bub. Loving mother of Charles (Dianne) and Michael (Marie) Bub and mother-in-law of Barb Meyer and Shirley (Dan) Curran. Step-Mother of David Kloke. Proud grandmother of Lisa (Tom) Dueppen, Tanya (Bruce) Cobb, Andrew (Linda) Bub, Ryan Bub, John and Joey Kloke, Adam (Amanda) and Tony Bub. Caring great-grandmother of Jacob, Joshua, and Jenna Dueppen, Maggie and Henry Bub, Marissa and Ethan Cobb and Claire and Ann Marie Bub. Further survived by other relatives and friends.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Friday Nov. 12th at 5 PM at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, N88 W17658 Christman Rd., Menomonee Falls. The family will receive relatives and friends from 3:30 until time of Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Franciscan Peace Makers are appreciated.
Thursday, December 4, 2014
The 1990s
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| Circa 1990 Regina and Frank Willemsat the Paris Frontier Days celebration |
Justin Willems, age 70, a lifelong resident of Logan County, died on January 5, 1992, finally beaten by the colon cancer that had also claimed the life of his dear wife, Geneva.
A very devout Catholic, Justin, was very active in his church of St. Benedict's at nearby Subiaco. He was buried there in the church cemetery alongside Geneva.
Wilfred "Jabe" Girard, second husband of Estelle "Tince" Willems (widow of Matt) died February 20, 1992 Fort Smith. He was buried in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Paris.
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| Martha "Irene" Willems with her daughters Phyllis, Frannie, and Ruth circa 1970 |
She was laid to rest in Holy Cross Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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| June 19, 1993 John and Dolores toast at their 40th anniversary party |
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| John and Dolores'40th wedding anniversary party, June 19, 1993 |
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| 11-26-1994 Frank and Regina greet well wishers as they leave St. Benedict's church and the celebratory Mass for their 50th wedding anniversary |
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| Regina and Frank Willems |
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| Sisters-in law Dolores Willems and Anna Marie Kloke |
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| 1994, Linus and Barbara Grathwohl, Anne and Ollie Willems enjoy the reception and dance. |
Herman Werner died November 17, 1996 at the age of 95 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was survived by five of his six children: Hermena, Mary Agnes, Bob, Betty, and Eugene. His wife Elizabeth died in 1989 and his son John Leonard in 1995.
Evan Sterling Manus, 82, eldest child of Adron and Zola Mae Manus died on Thursday, April 3, 1997. He was the owner of a refrigeration and air conditioning business. Services were held at 3 p.m. Monday, at Calvary Cemetery Chapel in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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| Fred and his sister Anna Marie in 1993 at John and Dolores 40th anniversary party |
Fred "Fritz" Willems died May 12, 1997 in El Paso, Texas. He and Cecilia had been married 62 years. Fred was a very devout Catholic giving much of his life to the Church. He left Cecilia, and sons Greg and Larry to mourn their loss. He was preceded in death by his daughter Roselyn in 1944, and his sons Fred Lester in 1979, Edwin in 1984, and Gary in 1991.
Linus Grathwohl suffered with Lou Gehrig's disease. He died May 24, 1998 at the age of 70. Linus was laid to rest alongside his first wife, Margaret.
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| 1998 Willems siblings Frank, Anna Marie, and John (front) Ollie (standing behind John) and some of their children, nieces, and nephews |
The 1980s
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| Jabe and Tince Girard on their wedding day, April 13, 1980 |
Tince Lievsay Willems was widowed for ten years when she married Wilfred "Jabe"Girard.
They were visiting Matt and Tince's daughter and son-in-law Pat and Bill Grist in Fife, Washington. The visit was planned to witness the marriage of Tince's granddaughter Kathleen Grist on April 12, 1980 and also get married themselves. So, the next day Jabe and Tince tied the knot.
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| Anne Kloke, Frank, Regina, and Dolores Willems, and Henry Kloke at John and Dolores home near Mountain Home, Arkansas, about 1980 |
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| Circa 1980 Aloys, Anne and Irene Willems |
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| 1980 Aloys Willems |
Zola Mae was 87 years old when she died in August 7, 1981. She was buried at Dug Hill Cemetery. Though her last Social Security check recorded her as Zola Mae Greenberg, her tombstone reads: Mother, Zola M. Manus and the dates of her birth and death. During her career as a nurse she worked at the Paris Hospital on the hill as well as the Tuberculosis Sanatorium in Booneville. see more about Zola Mae
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| April 1965 Zola Mae and Frank Classen visit with John S, Willems sons Paul, Dan, and Stephen. |
Geneva Koch Willems, a 57 year old native of Logan County, died September 30, 1981. She left her husband Justin and their six children, Abe, Martin, Julia, Theresa, Linda, and Harry, to mourn the loss of their loving wife and mother. Geneva and Justin had been married 35 years. Geneva was laid to rest at St. Benedict's Cemetery in Subiaco. |
| Circa 1984-Willems sisters Catherine Schwartz, Anna Marie Kloke, and Elizabeth Werner |
Katherine Lucille Willems Loeffler, died April 25, 1984 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Born on August 22, 1891, Katherine was the eighth of Phillip and Katherina's children, and was the widow of Ignatius Loeffler. At 92, Katherine lived longer than any of her eight siblings. Katherine was the mother of seven-Bertha, Isabella, Edmond, Rosella, Edna, Norbert, and Bernadette. She was laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery in Saskatoon. |
| 1988, Aloys, Fred, Greg, and Cecilia Willems |
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| Regina and Representative Frank Willems, circa 1988. Frank was a hard working man. If not for his efforts the lovely visitor center at Mount Magazine State Park may have never become a reality. |
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| Representative Frank Willems with then Governor Bill Clinton about 1988. |
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| Regina Willems tends her flowers, circa 1985 |
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| Frank Willems, circa 1985 |
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| Circa 1984 "Bud" and Anna Marie Kloke were world travelers.
Henry intended to take Anna Marie to New Zealand where he'd served
during WWII. It was the last trip planned that never came to fruition. |
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| March 21, 1989 Elizabeth Willems Werner's brothers gather for her funeral. L-R are Frank, Fred, Aloys, John, and Justin Willems |
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| Circa 1989 Justin, Frank, Anna Marie, Ollie, and John Willems |
Catherine Philomena Willems Schwartz died on September 26, 1989 at the age of 85. She was the widow of John Schwartz. Catherine was preceded in death by her sons Bill and James, and was survived by her son, Charles, and daughters, Stella Mae and Barbara. She was laid to rest at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.
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| Catherine Schwartz (on left) with siblings Aloys Willems, and Anne Kloke earlier in the 1980s. |
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| This photo appeared in the local paper in March 1987 of Catherine Schwartz with her children Stella, Charles, and Barbara celebrating Catherine's 83rd birthday. |
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