Kokenge, Henry 1859-1936 & Kate Goebel Family

KOKENGE, GOEBEL, NEMMERS, MAIROSE, HEYING, HUSS

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 3/19/2024 at 06:01:52

Kokenge, Henry 1859-1936 & Kate Goebel Family

The Henry Kokenge family story was taken from the Alton St. Mary’s Catholic Church book of 1883-1893. The story was transcribed for this BIOS by Wilma J. Vande Berg of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society. Some research notes have been added. Data was recorded as found in the cited sources.

In 1888 Henry and Kate (Goebel) Kokenge ventured West from New Vienna, settling near Alton. Here a small group pioneered a new Catholic Settlement. Three sons were born in Eastern Iowa, John, Anton and Ernest. Three children were born at Alton, Mary, Anna, Bernard, Mary and Bernard died in infancy.

After Kate’s death in 1894, Henry married Josephine Nemmers on Jun 4, 1897. Ten children were born: Joseph, Dorothy, Frances, Alfred, Irene, Aloysius (Matty) Cyril, Edna, Maureen and Emmett. All were baptized at St. Mary’s. Four Nemmers Brothers, cousins of Josephine, built a new home for the growing family in 1900. Th house still stands 2 ½ miles east and 1 mile north of Alton. Ed Recker now lives there.

In September 1917 the Kokenge family lost eleven year old Irene to infantile paralysis. Due to the dread disease, she was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery without a church service. A month later Emmett, youngest of the children, died shortly after birth. The death of Josephine followed in Jun 1918, leaving the responsibility of raising the large family to Henry and the two older daughters. During his later years Henry lived with his son, John and daughter in-law, Nettie. He died April 14, 1936.

All the girls were married in St. Mary’s Church, as were Anton and Ernest.
John married Antonette Hagemann at New Vienne, Feb 22, 1911. they had one daughter. John died Jan 12, 1945.
Anton married Martha Kellen Jan 10, 1910. four daughters were born. Anton died Jan 27, 1971.
Ernest married Mary Hoefer Nov. 1917. Two sons were born Ernest died June 7, 1964.
Anna married Clem Full in 1913; she died in 1920
Joseph married Catherine Kellen April 5, 1921. Three sons were born. Joseph died July 7, 1975.
Dorothy (Dora) married Henry Kellen April 1920. Three Children were born. Dora died Nov. 3,, 1966
Frances married Theodore Klein Jan 16, 1922. Mrs. Klein lives in Granville, Theodore makes his home at the Heritage House, Orange City. Seven children were born.
Alfred married Helen Hiddleston, July 31, 1937. Alfred died Dec 26, 1971.
Aloysius (Matty) married Alyce Smith Oct 12, 1933. They had three sons, They live at George.
Cyril married Martha Bindner at Granville Feb 1939. four children were born. They live at Hartley.
Edna married Gerald McCarthy April 30. Edna lives in Granville. There are nine children.
Maureen married Wilfred Van Bergen April 15, 1941. Eight children were born. They live in Worthington MN; Willie is in a nursing home.

(end of the family story in the St. Mary’s church book)

RESEARCH Notes: Gathered from local archives on this site, from ancestry.com public member trees, which were submitted by other than this submitter and ancestry.com’s birth marriage and death records.

Henricus ‘Henry’ Kokenge born Jun 1859 New Vienna, Dubuque Co. IA died 13 April 1936 Alton IA.
He was the son of Joannis Bernardi Kokenge 1812-1863 and Mariae Annae Franciscae Mairose 1824-1899. He married 21 Feb 1882 at New Vienna IA to Catherine C. Goebel

Wife #1. Catherine C. Goebel was born Mar 1862 New Vienna IA and she died 13 Apr 1894 Alton IA. Her parents were Henrici Goebel 1838-1924 and Catharine Heying 1841-1923. Henry married Catherine Goebel 21 Feb 1882 at New Vienna IA. They were the parents of five children.

Wife #2. Josephine Nemmers born 25 May 1877 Sioux County IA, died 15 Jun 1918 Le Mars IA.
She was the daughter of Nicholas D. Nemmers 1845-1882 and Anna Huss 1852-1920. Henry married Jospehine Nemmers 1 Jun 1897 Sioux County IA. They were the parents of nine children.

Children of Henry Kokenge and Catherine Goebel:
1. John Kokenge born 25 Jan 1882 New Vienna IA died 12 Jan 1945 Granville IA. He married Antoinette Hagemann died 18 Dec 1957 MI. They family lived at Granville for many years. They had one daughter, Mildred Kokenge of Dearborn MI. There is a family story in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church book and the obituary of John can be seen on this web page.
2. Anton ‘Toney’ Kokenge born 23 May 1885 New Vienna IA died 17 Jan 1971 Orange City IA buried St. Joe’s Granville IA He married Martha Kellen Jan 1910. They had four daughters, Loretta Van Bergen Taggart of Granville, Maurine Nichel of Granville, Jean Buchtel of Norfolk VA, Genevieve Erickson of Akron OH. See Anton’s obituary on this web page.
3. Ernest Kokenge born 1 Dec 1885 New Vienna Dubuque IA died 7 July 1964. He married Mary Hoefer 1896-1970, and they had two sons – Robert H. and Arthur J. Kokenge. See the obituary of Ernest Kokenge on this web page.
4. Anna Kokenge born 6 Mar 1891 Alton IA died 1920? She married Clemens F. Full in 1913 and she died about 1920. Sioux County Herald of Nov 27, 1913 The wedding of Anna Kokenge and Clemens Full of Hospers took place at St. Mary’s church Tuesday. They will make their home in Minnesota. Her death date is obscure died 1920-1925. 1920 census had a Mrs. Marie Clemens Full born 1891 living in Nassau twp. Sioux county IA. Clemens F. Full married Gertrude Byrne in Tauton, MN in 1925. Surmise Anna/Marie Kokenge died before Clemens married Gertrude Byrne.
5. Bernard Kokenge born1894. A death notice for John Bernard born July 1892 died 10 Sep 1892 buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery Alton IA. Find A Grave has John Bernard Kokenge as the infant son of Henry and Catherine Kokenge.

Children of Henry Kokenge and Jospehine Nemmers
6. Joseph Kokenge born 11 Jul 1898 IA died Jul 7, 1975 of Granville IA. He married Catherine Kellen on Apr 5, 1921 LeMars IA. Three sons - Raymond of Granville, Vincent of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Virgil of New Lberia, Louisiana See Joseph’s obit on this web page.
7. Dorothy ‘Dora’ Kokenge born 18 Apr 1900 Alton IA died Nov 3, 1966 Sioux City IA buried St. Mary’s Alton . She married Henry Nicholas Kellen 1894-1977 on 14 Apr 1920 Alton. Their children were – Bernice Elizabeth Mrs. Paul Graham 1921-1997, Arleen Francis Kellen 1922-2011 and Carlton Anton Kellen 1932-2013. See Dorothy’s obit on this web page.
8. Francis Kokenge born 31 Dec 1901 Alton IA died 18 Dec 1996 Granville IA married 16 Jan 1922 Sioux Co. IA, to Theodore Klein. Children - three daughters, Mrs. Jerome (Verna) Bunkers and Clarice and her husband Gerald Roder, all of Granville and Lois and her husband Eugene Wiltgen of Carlsbad, California; three sons and their wives: Marcel and Ann Klein, James and Angeline Klein, all of Granville and Merlyn and Jan Klein of Le Mars. See her obituary on this web page.
9. Alfred H. Kokenge born 17 Mar 1904 Alton IA died 26 Dec 1971 Sheldon IA He married Helena Bruyn Hiddleston 1908-1977. One step son John Hiddleston of IL. See Alfred’s obit on this web page.
10. Irene Kokenge born 1906 died 3 Sep 1917 Alton IA Story in St. Mary’s church book stated she had polio. See her obit on this web page.
11. Aloysius Mathew Kokenge born 12 Jan 1909 Alton IA died 25 May 1984 Sioux Falls SD buried George IA. Wife was Alyce R. Smith 1912-1996. Find A Grave lists one child David Matthew Kokenge, one other child named in birth record as Daniel Lowell Kokenge.
12. Cyril N. Kokenge born 26 mar 1911 Sioux County IA died 5 Apr 1992 Ashton IA burial St Mary’s at Ashton IA. Wife Martha Caroline Binder 1917-2004
13. Maureen A. Myrle Kokenge born 3 Jul 1915 Alton IA, died 15 Sep 2006 Adrain MN She married Wilfred Van Bergen. Their children were Ronnie Van Bergen, Brenda Van Bergen, Bev Frisch, Dave Frisch, Bill Van Bergen, Darlene Teerink, Judy Van Gergen, John Grady, Jane Grady and Roger Van Bergen.
14 Emmet Kokenge born about 23 Oct 1917 died in infancy 27 Oct 1917 .

OBITUARY of Henry Kokenge

From the Alton Democrat, April 17, 1936:
Henry Kokenge, long time resident of the Alton vicinity, died Monday morning, April 14, at the home of his son John, in Granville. He was 76 years of age last June. Born in Dubuque county, Iowa, at New Vienna, he came to Sioux county in 1888 and farmed three miles northeast of Alton until 1919, when he moved to a small farm adjoining Alton. He is survived by eleven children. Further particulars regarding his life will appear in next week's issue. Funeral services were held this (Thursday) morning at St. Mary's Catholic church at Alton, with Very Rev. M. A. Schemel officiating.
From the Alton Democrat, April 24, 1936: Pioneer Farmer Laid to Rest At Alton Thursday
Henry Kokenge, pioneer farmer of the Alton and Granville communities, short mention of whose life was contained in last week's issue, was buried at Alton Thursday, with funeral services held at St. Mary's church in the presence of a large number of sorrowing relatives and friends. orn in Dubuque county 76 years ago, Henry Kokenge married Miss Kathryn Goebel in 1882. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Goebel of New Vienna. They later made their home near Granville. On April 13, 1893, the home was saddened by the death of his wife, the mother of four children, namely: John, Tony, Ernest and Anna (Mrs. Clem Full). Bernard and Mary had preceded their mother in death.
In June, 1897, Mr. Kokenge remarried. His second wife was formerly Josephine Nemmers of Alton, and to this union were born Joe, Dora, Francis, Alfred, Aloysius, Cyril, Edna and Maurine, also Irene who passed away at the age of 11 years and Emmet who died in infancy. Besides his children, Mr. Kokenga leaves to mourn his death, one sister, Mrs. Sophia Hoefer of New Vienna, and 21 grandchildren.
Those who came from a distance to attend the funeral services last Thursday included the following relatives and friends: Mr. and Mrs. Ray Hoefer, Earlville, Ia.; Chris Hoefer, Farley, Ia.; Mrs. Henry Schoetzle, New Vienna, Ia.; Mrs. John Ebner and son, Maple River, Ia.; Mrs. Anton Kokenge, Carrol, Ia.; Evelyn Lohman, Arcadia, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Bert De Muth and daughters, Margaret and Verena, Woodstock, Minn.; Mrs. Peter Nemmers, son Raymond and daughter Rosella, Fulda, Minnesota; Hubert Nemmers, Mitchell, S.D.; Mr. and Mrs. Mat Huss, Fairmont, Minn.; Joe Huss, Ashton, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Kemp, Oyens, Ia.; Peter Kemp, Remsen, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Nick Reiter, Mr. and Mrs. John Nemmers, Le Mars, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Bill Verschoor, Sioux City, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. C. I. Hageman, Marcus, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. John Drees, Mr. and Mrs. John Gloden, Emil Gloden, Hospers, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Mike Goebel, Remsen, Ia.
The late pioneer was a splendid citizen, a good farmer and valued neighbor. He was a devoted member of the Catholic church and devoted to his home and family. Mr. Kokenge years ago told The Democrat of some white oak posts he had brought here from eastern Iowa and used on his Sioux county farm. They were still giving good service after a score or more years. Of late years he had been in poor health and failing memory halted the reminiscences of early years in eastern Iowa and out in this country of which he had a good store that were mighty interesting. Mr. Kokenge was a loyal friend and in his loss the community and many scores of old friends, as well as devoted family, lose one of whom they thought a great deal.

OBITUARY of Kate Mrs. Henry Kokenge
From the Alton Democrat of April 21, 1894.
The obituary was long (wordy), summarized below.
The death of Mrs. Kate Kokenge last Friday (Apr 13,) was felt by all. She was 31 years of age and left a husband and four small children. She was born in Luxemburg, Dubuque county IA . Five years ago they came to Sioux County living three miles east of town and her parents live near Granville as well. Funeral from St. Mary's Alton Rev. Peschong officiating, with a very large funeral. She was a Christian woman and a cheerful giver.
(In the St. Mary's church book there is a family history of the Henry Kokenge family. Henry and Kate had three sons born in eastern IA, John, Anton, and Ernest. Three children were born at Alton, Mary , Anna, Bernard, of which Mary and Bernard died in infancy. After Kate's death in 1894 Henry married Josepine Nemmers and had about nine more children. Kate's parents were Henry Goebel born 15 Apr 1838 died 10 Jan 1924 and Katherine Pfeffer born 26 Jun 1843 died 21 Dec 1923 buried in St. Joseph cemetery Granville IA )

OBITUARY of Josephine Mrs. Henry Kokenge
From the LeMars Semiweekly Sentinel, June 18, 1918:
Mrs. Josephine Kokenge, wife of Henry Kokenge, residing near Alton, died at the city hospital on Saturday night. Mrs. Kokenge was brought to the city hospital two weeks ago suffering from internal goiter and her condition was serious from the start. The deceased's maiden name was Josephine Nemmers. She is survived by her husband, eight children and four stepchildren. She was forty-one years of age. Mrs. Kokenge was related to the Nemmers and Kamp families of this city. The funeral will be held on Tuesday morning at St. Mary's church in Alton.
From the Alton Democrat, June 22, 1918: Death of Mrs. Henry Kokenge.
Mrs. Henry Kokenge passed away at the LeMars Hospital on Saturday, June 15, the cause of her death being goiter trouble. Mrs. Kokenge was born on the farm east of Alton on May 25, 1877 and so by the time of her death was 41 years old. In 1897 she was united in marriage with Henry Kokenge, to become a real mother for his motherless children. This marriage was blessed with ten children, of whom two died.
Besides her husband, she leaves to mourn her loss, twelve children, John Kokenge of Granville, Anton Kokenge of Orient, S.D., Ernest Kokenge of Alton, Mrs. Clem Full of Taunton, Minn., and eight children at home: Joseph, Dorothy, Francis, Alfred, Alois, Cyril, Edna, and Marina, the youngest being only three years old. The deceased is survived by her parents, of whom Mrs. Huss is living at Alton, and six brothers and two sisters.
Mrs. Kokenge was a woman highly esteemed by her friends, loved by her family and was a faithful member of the Church. The whole community sympathizes with the bereaved ones in their great loss of mother and wife, daughter and sister. Funeral services were held on Tuesday June 18 at the Catholic Church, Very Rev. Father Brune officiating. An unusual[ly] great number of friends and relatives attended the funeral.
Those present from a distance were: Mrs. Peter Nemmers, Fulda; Mrs. Joe Hoefer and Leonard, Mrs. A. Hoefer and Mrs. Henry Burlage of New Vienna; John Drees and Mrs. Joe Schindler of Dyersville; Mrs. Grimm of Wisconsin; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Huss, Ashton; Mr. and Mrs. Ted Huss and Mr. and Mrs. H. Nemmers, Miranda, S.D.; Mr. and Mrs. A. Kokenge and family, Orient, S.D.; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Nemmers, Le Mars; Mr. and Mrs. John Nemmers, John Kemp, Mrs. Math Kemp and Margaret and Anna Kemp.
Find A Grave.com shows her as buried in Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Alton, although she is not included in the online Sioux County Cemetery Index. It gives her parents as Nicholas D. Nemmers (1845-1882) and Anna Kaiser Nemmers Huss (1852-1920). It also includes an image of what appears to be a funeral card, with her portrait.

The St. Mary’s church book has a picture of Henry Kokenge with both of his wives. Since one picture is allowed on this page, the picture of Henry Kokenge and his first wife Catherine Goebel is included.

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