PIERCE COUNTY CALL, Pierce, Nebraska; Thursday, May 30, 1935

ANOTHER PIONEER CALLED BY DEATH

Wm. Buckendahl, Resident of this Community 65 Years Passed Away Thursday.

Wm. Buckendahl, a resident of Pierce County since 1870, passed away last Thursday forenoon within a few minutes after being carried into a hospital in Norfolk. He had been ill at his home in Pierce for a number of days and was taken to the hospital that forenoon for an emergency operation. He has been in failing health for four of five years.

His death mark's the passing and narrowing of that small circle of hardy pioneers who came to this county over a half century ago and underwent the privations and suffering that was experienced in the settling of a new country and a new community.

He was one of the rugged individuals from the German race who contributed so greatly to the progress and up-building of the "great west", and became our best and finest citizens. Mr. Buckendahl's life of honesty and integrity was well-known by neighbors and friends. He was a Christian in the true sense of the word, exemplifying the spirit in his daily walks. He was a faithful communicant of the Zion Lutheran church, serving as an elder for many years. After moving to Pierce he was elected to the office of city and precinct assessor for successive years.

William Christopher Buckendahl was born at Dreilinger, Hanover, Germany, on Sept. 29, 1859. In the year 1870 he came to America with his parents. The family settled on the homestead eight miles east of Pierce. On Jan. 11, 1883, he married Bertha Otto and they set up housekeeping on a farm northeast of Pierce. Seven children were born to this union, four of whom preceded their father in death: Lawrence, Will, Rose, Mrs. Ed Schlote and Emil the latter being a World War veteran. Those living are Mrs. Christ. Herbolsheimer, Mrs. Frank Koehler and John Buckendahl, the latter of Norfolk. The mother passed away in 1899.

On March 6, 1904, Mr. Buckendahl married Ottelie Beemer, of Pierce. A short time after they moved to Pierce where they lived ever since. To this union three children were born, viz: Harry, Mrs. Esther Fowler and Mrs. Clifford Schulz. Besides these there are 23 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and three step-children, Mrs. Raymond Deuel, Eleanor and Orlando Beemer. Also one brother, Herman, three sisters: Mrs. Albert Otto, Mrs. R.H. Breyer and Mrs. Sophia Henschke. At the time of his death Mr. Buckendahl was aged 75 years, 7 months and 17 days.

Funeral services were held Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at the home and at Zion Lutheran Church at 2 o'clock. The pastor, Rev. M.F. Scheips, paid a beautiful tribute to the deceased, his sermon being in both English and German. The church was crowded to capacity by the relatives and friends. Two selections were rendered by a male quartet consisting of Gus Manske, Carl Schulz, J. Bernthal, and L.H. Gruett, with Prof. R. T. Meyer accompanying at the pipe organ. Burial was made in St. John's Lutheran cemetery, east of Pierce.