The Story of the Willems Family: The 1970s

Paris Progress, 4-27-1970

Matt Willems, age 58, the eldest surviving son of John M. Willems suffered from colon cancer, eventually succumbing to it on April 21, 1970. Matt left behind his wife Tince of 34 years, and their five children: Patricia, Charlotte, Betty Louise, Alice Jo, David, and host of grandchildren. Matt was laid to rest at St. Joseph Cemetery.

Willems siblings Frank, Catherine, Justin, Elizabeth, and John at a Willems reunion in Paris, 1970

1974 Willems cousins in front of Justin and Geneva's home

Zola Mae met a Jewish man named Joseph Greenberg. They married May 7,1971 in the city of Los Angeles, California. Unlike in the past she did not adopt his this husband's religion.

Linus and Barbara Grathwohl

Linus remarried July 20, 1972. His new wife was Barbara Berkner. She, like Linus, had also been widowed. His children all returned to New Ulm, Minnesota.

Willems brothers Fred and Ollie,
with Fred's son Gary, 1973

On June 4, 1970, Frank Willems, 50, filed as a Democratic candidate for the Arkansas House, in Position 2, District 13 including Logan, Yell, and Franklin counties. He campaigned, and was elected to his first term in November of 1972. Frank Willems began serving his first term in 1973. He was a hardworking politician, genuinely caring for the welfare of his constituents.

Circa 1974, Anna Marie and Henry Kloke at their business
in Campbellsport, Wisconsin-Kloke Readymix.
Anna Marie learned the business and mixed concrete. One evening
while serving dessert to guests she was asked if she baked the cake.
She laughed saying "No, I have a deal with Sara Lee. If she won't
mix concrete, I won't bake cakes!"

In August of 1973 John M. Willems sister, Mary Glabus, died in Regina, Canada. She was 83 years old and the widowed mother of five. Mary considered herself a psychic and frequently wrote her older brother John warning him with her dire predictions.

1974, Sister Mary Alice, Aloys, and Anne Willems
at the Fish and Fiddle Resort near Mountain Home, AR

Zola Mae's marriage to Joseph Greenberg was far from a happy one. Every time she turned around he told her she was costing him money. California divorce records shows they were divorced in Los Angeles in April of 1974. The eighty year old Zola Mae went back to Anderson, Missouri where she lived out the remainder of her life.

Stanley Manus (right) with his wife Imogene,son, Stan Jr., and stepbrother John Willems about 1970

News came from Bella Vista, Arkansas, of the death of Stanley Manus son of Zola Mae and her first husband Adron Manus. The retired Baptist minister died on January 10, 1976 and was buried in Dug Hill Cemetery. He was 59.

1976 Herman and Elizabeth their celebrate 50th anniversary-L-R, Justin, Anna Marie, Fred, John,
Herman and Elizabeth, Catherine, and Frank

May 1978, Willems siblings Anna Marie,
Aloys, Elizabeth,Justin, John, Catherine, and Frank

May 1978
Willems siblings and spouses:Front-Geneva, Dolores, and Anne Willems, Anna Marie Kloke, and Irene Willems
Center-Hermen & Elizabeth Werner, Catherine Schwartz, and Regina Willems;
Back-Aloys, Justin, John, and Frank Willems