Kenosha County Wisconsin Obituaries and Death Notices

Karen Ann Bedore (1944 – 2007)
Kenosha News (Kenosha, Wis.) Thursday, 26 Apr. 2007; submitted by Jim Dezotell

Karen Ann Bedore, 62, of Red Oak, Iowa, formerly of Kenosha, Wis., passed away Monday, March 19, 2007, at her residence after an extended illness. Karen Ann Bedore was born Aug, 28, 1944, in Kenosha, Wis., the daughter of James Edward and Dorothy (Finstad) Steddick. She was raised in Kenosha graduating From Kenosha High School in 1962. She has been a lifelong resident of Kenosha until moving to Red Oak in 2006, to be near her son. Karen worked for American Motors in Kenosha from 1963-1970 and Snap On Tools from 1987-2004. She was a member of the Order of the White Shrine and the Order of Eastern Star.
She was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include her husband, Michael Bedore of Kenosha, Wis.; son, Rob Bedore and wife Jodi of Red Oak, Iowa; daughter, Dawn Bedore of Red Oak, Iowa; brothers, James Steddick and wife, Barbara of South Bend, Ind., and John Steddick and wife, Carol of Batavia, HI.; several nieces and nephews and many other relatives and friends.
A memorial visitation will be held from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Saturday, April 28, 2007, at the Lakeshore Tabernacle in Kenosha, Wis. Private burial of the cremated remains will be in the Sunset Ridge Cemetery in Kenosha, Wis., prior to the visitation.
Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel in Red Oak, IA is in charge of arrangements.

John C. Beecher
John C. Beecher, of Kansasville, Racine county, who served as postmaster in that place during the administrations of Buchanan, Lincoln and Grant, died recently at the residence of his daughter in Kenosha, aged 71 years. [Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Dane Co. Wis.) 7 Nov. 1882 - Sub. Brenda W.]

Frederick J. Bran
Suicide of a Kenosha Farmer.
Kenosha, Wis, Feb. 12 - Frederick J Brand, one of the oldest and most prominent residents of Kenosha county, committed suicide Sunday by hanging himself in a barn on his farm in Pleasant Prairie. The family was absent at church, and the act is accredited to mind troubles caused by financial difficulties. The deceased was born in England in 1827, came to America in 1832 and settled in Kenosha in 1844. He served as president of the agricultural society, town clerk and member of the board of education, and at the time of his death was justice of the peace. He leaves three sons; S. V. Brand, of Kenosha, was his brother. ["Wisconsin State Journal", 15 Feb 1889 - Sub. by Jan Stypula]

Philip Burkholder
Kenosha - Philip Burkholder, 45.
["Wisconsin Weekly Advocate", 29 Jan 1903 - Sub. by Jan Stypula]

Emil Diffring
Kenosha, Wis., Oct. 17, - {Special.} - Emil Diffring, one of the best-known young Germans of Kenosha, died Tuesday at Berea, O., where he was preparing for the ministry. The remains of the young man were brought to Kenosha today, attended by a company of students from the college. ["Wisconsin Weekly Advocate", 18 Oct 1900 - Sub. by Jan Stypula]

Don F. Herrick
HERRICK. - At Randall, Kenosha county, Wis., March 14, 1880, Don Ferdinand Herrick, aged 81 years. Deceased was born at Le Raysville, Jefferson county, New York, and afterwards lived in Otsego county; then at the age of 31 years, filled the office of Sheriff of Cooperstown. After removing to Oswego, he came to Wisconsin, where he has since resided, his wife having died some years ago. A man of fine culture and amiable qualities, he gained many warm friends wherever he was. Mr. Herrick leaves three daughters, one of them, Mrs. E. G. Garner of this city. For many years in great weakness of body, he seemed only to be waiting till from out the gathered darkness, the Father, Allwise, Eternal, should guide the wayworn feet to the life unmeasured by years. The family have the sincere sympathy of a large circle of friends and acquaintances, in their sorrow. [Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Dane Co. Wis.) 30 Mar. 1880- Sub. by Marla Zwakman]

Volney Hughes
Death of Hon. Volney Hughes.
He was a Whel******* Man, and a True Friend.
We were sadly surprised by noticing in the last week's Kenosha papers some affecting resolutions passed at a regular meeting of Kenosha Lodge, No. 47, of F & A Masons, held Dec. 27th, 1858, at the Masonic Hall, on the death of Hon. Volney Hughs, who was a beloved and consistent brother. It was by these resolutions that we learnt of the departure from this earthly scene of one, to whose goodness of heart and manly spirit we can speak with deep feeling.
When we were a stranger and in need of advice in this State, we were benefitted by receiving his friendly countenance. He took us by the hand and guided us into the activities of Wisconsin life, with inspiring admonitions and a father's supervision that was never wanting, and which we shall always think of with gratitude.
His active years had been passed in managing boats on the New York canals at the time they used to be wrote and spoke of "as a glorious means of travelling." He was a courteous and affable looking, elderly gentleman, and a wholesouled man in every relation of life. No tale of sorrow was ever disregarded by him. To the best of his ability he was always ready to assist the distressed and unfortunate. In politics he was an unflinching Democrat. He was a member of the last State Democratic Convention, and had been the nominee of his party for the Assembly in his district in Kenosha county, but as the opposition were strongly in a majority he failed of an election. He succeeded C. C. Sholes as Mayor of the city of Kenosha. He leaves a wife who has been an affectionate partner to him for many year, a son, arrived at man's estate, and a host of sorrowing friends. The hand that has often pointed out to our fresh gaze the beauties of Wisconsin prairies and oak openings is lost to us, and the blue eyes always beaming with a kindly expression are dulled in the darkness of the tomb. But we are cheered from believing that they will be gloriously resurrected. The Kenosha Times has the following account of his death, and pays a sincere tribute to the social qualities and worth of the deceased.
DEATH OF HON. VOLNEY HUGHS. - Our citizens were startled by an announcement on Monday last of the death of Hon. Volney Hughs, late Mayor of this city, at Rochester, N. Y., where he had gone upon a temporary visit. He left here on Monday the 28d ultimo, apparently in perfect health, and died onTuesday of last week, after an illness of about ten days, aged about fifty-two years. Mrs. Hughs was with him during his last sickness.
Few men have passed a more active life of experienced greater vicissitudes then Volney Hughs. It seems as if his foot never rested, from the day of his manhood till the day he went "the way of all the earth," and few men made more friends, or held them more firmly attached then he. Those who knew him best, were the last to forsake him or to impugn the motives of his action. He was from habit and nature, a warm hearted, genial, sympathizing, stirring man - liberal in all his opinions and associations. He therefore necessarily filled a large place in every community where he ever resided, and his sudden death can but produce a deep impression upon the hearth of all who knew him. There are few among us who will not miss his face upon the street, and his presence in the social circle and business walks of life - and few of us who will not feel some throb of sympathy for that little family of nearest friends, whose charmed circle is forever broken.
["Weekly Wisconsin Patriot", 8 Jan 1859 - Sub. by Jan Stypula]

Kemper
Kenosha,Wis., Sept: 29—Mrs. Kemper, relict of Dr. L. A Kemper, of Nashotah seminary, died of apoplexy at the water-cure in this city. The funeral will take, place at Nashotah on Thursday forenoon. [Wisconsin State Journal, 1 Oct. 1886 - Sub. by A Friend of Free Genealogy]

J. H. Kimball Dies
Pioneer of Kenosha Passes Away, Aged 84 Years - Came to Wisconsin in 1837
Kenosha, Wis., Jan. 27, - Julius Henry Kimball, a pioneer and one of Kenosha's wealthiest citizens, died yesterday, aged 84 years. Mr. Kimball was almost the oldest of the pioneers. His father settled here in 1836, took up a section of land and built a log house. His son followed him next years, coming to Milwaukee by boat and then staging to Southport. From then until the day of his death he resided here and became wealthy, always keeping the home which his father erected to replace the old log house. In this house he lived over sixty years.
["Wisconsin Weekly Advocate", 29 Jan 1903 - Sub. by Jan Stypula]

Dr. Hays McKinley
Death of an Old Editor.
The death of Dr. Hays McKinley, the editor of the Kenosha Telegraph, is announced. On Friday evening last, while on his way home, he slipped and fell heavily on the walk, badly breaking one of his legs near the hip and otherwise receiving internal injuries. He was taken to his home and cared for with all the attention possible, but he sank rapidly, and died about midnight. Mr. McKinley was about seventy-five years of age, and in feeble health; was a native of Albany, New York. He came to Kenosha in 1845, and engaged in the practice of medicine. In 1868, his wife and children having died and his own health being impaired, he gave up practice and purchased the Telegraph, which he continued to edit, in his own unique way, up to the time of his death. Mr. McKinley has no relatives in that vicinity, his wife and children having died several years since.
[Wisconsin State Journal, 10 Feb 1880 - Sub. by Jan Stypula]

Manie H. Rogers
Mrs. Manie Harris Rogers, wife of Rev. C. H. Rogers, formerly pastor of the Congregational church, of Michigan City, but now residing at Kenosha, Wisconsin, died at the Congregational parsonage in Kenosha, Sunday morning, after a long and painful illness. [Elkhart Weekly Review (Indiana) 16 Aug. 1894 - Sub. by Brenda W.]

Hermann S. Thorpe
Col. Hermann S. Thorpe, an ex-member of the Wisconsin legislature, died, Monday at Kenosha.
[Muskegon Chronicle (Mich.) 10 Feb. 1892 - Sub. by Brenda W.]

Mrs. Charles Zettler
----Source: Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune (Wisconsin Rapids, Wood County, Wis.) Thursday, 1 Nov. 1934; transcribed by Marla Zwakman

Mrs. Charles Zettler passed away Tuesday at Kenosha. Funeral services will be held Friday at 1 o’clock from the Rembs Funeral Home in Marshfield and at 2:00 o’clock from St. Matthew’s church in that city. Mrs. Zettler is the mother of Arthur Zettler of Nekoosa. She made her home with him for some time.