William Stahlecker - 1970

Final rites for William R. Stahlecker, 62, were conducted at Immanuel Lutheran Church north of Bethune on Monday, Feb. 9. Rev. Earl Martel officiated at the 2 p.m. services. Son selections of "Abide With Me" were sung by the congregation and "Going Down the Valley" and "Beyond the Sunset" were sung by the men's choir. Pianist was Mrs. Vernon Schlichenmayer.

Casket bearers were Norman Kramer, Max Kramer, Phillip Stolz, Everett Adolf, Ervin Stahlecker and Orvel Aeschlimann. Burial was in the Immanuel Cemetery.

William Reinhard Stahlecker, son of Gottieb Stahlecker and Minnie Weiss, was born Feb. 17, 1907, north of Bethune. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith in Immanuel's Lutheran Church and remained a member of this congregation all of his life. His church aided his parents in giving him a Christian training.

He grew to manhood in the Bethune community where his parents homesteaded. He was united in marriage to Amelia Kramer Oct. 17, 1929. To this union was born four sons and four daughters.

Mr. Stahlecker was engaged in farming and lived in the Bethune community until illness forced his retirement several years ago when he moved to Burlington. Before moving to Burlington he was active in church and community activities and brought up all of his children in the Christian faith. Following several major surgeries he suffered poor health and had been making his home the past 1 ½ years at the Grace Manor Nursing Home in Burlington. /the past few weeks were spent in Memorial Hospital in Burlington where his condition suddenly worsened and he departed this life Feb. 6, 1970, at the age of 62 years, 11 months and 20 days. His wife preceded him in death in January 1964.

He is survived by seven of his eight children; Clarine Fergus of Fort Morgan, George and Willard of Bethune; Margie Rose of Goodland; Iva Crist of Burlington; Ivan of Rangely; Jean of La Junta, and eight grandchildren. One son, Elmer preceded him in death at the age of 11 months.

Surviving brothers and sisters are: Clara Adolf of Burlington; Otto, of Berthoud Emma Zimmerman, Bertha Stolz, George and John, all of Loveland. His parents and a sister, Anna Stolz, preceded him in death. Mourning his passing are also many other relatives and friends.