Wilhelm Friedrich Fiegenbaum

OBITUARY

William Frederick Fiegenbaum was born March 15, 1862 at Holstein, Mo., where, not long after, he was by baptism admitted to the church of God.¹  He attended the parochial school of the Evangelical church at Holstein until April 14, 1876, when by the solemn rite of confirmation he was admitted to the membership of the Evangelical Church at Holstein under the administration of Rev. J. Schierbaum.²  As a young man of about 18 years he came to this vicinity, where the rest of his life was spent.  On the 19th day of October, 1893 he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Miss Henrietta Starkebaum at Higginsville, Mo., by the Rev. H. Hoefer.  Since that happy day his family lived on the same place where the father so unexpectedly now was called hence.  To this happy union four children came to make the home complete, all of whom mourn the departure of a loving father.

Mr. Fiegenbaum was a man blessed with the happy faculty of seeing always the bright side of things in life, possessing a high optimism coupled with a keen sense of humor which enabled him and all with whom he came in contact over many dark days and made life happy and serene.  He seemed always to radiate good cheer where ever he was.  A friend and neighbor he proved to be to all.  From the beginning he was a consistent and faithful member of Zion Evangelical congregation at Mayview at various times in offices of trust and honor, and always showed himself a faithful steward.  A Christian of conviction himself he had the joy of seeing all of his children grow up to follow in his footsteps along the way that he himelf [sic] had found to be the safe and blessed way.

Suddenly on Tuesday, November 12, while engaged in the homely chores of the farm, God called him Home.³  Humanly speaking he had many years of life before him yet, as he was only 67 years, 7 months and 27 days old.  But God's years are not counted as ours are, and in the judgment of the Father, his life's work was already finished.  His going out of this life is mourned by his widow who had shared life's joys and sorrow with him for thirty-six years, his three sons, Martin, John, and Edwin; one daughter, Emma Begemann, two daughters-in-law; eight grand children; two brothers, August and Frederick Fiegenbaum; and two sisters, Mrs. Winter of Thruxton [sic], Mo.,⁴ and Mrs. Vahrenberg of Mayview,⁵ and other relatives and many friends.

The funeral was held Thursday at Zion Evangelical church at Mayview conducted by Rev. D. Buchmueller, the pastor, assisted by Rev. D. C. Jensen of Lexington.