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Taalkeus "Tom" Blank

1864 - 1951

 

 

Last Rites Held Tuesday For Retired Railroad Man

Services Held From The Methodist Church For "Tom" Blank

Had Taken An Active Part In The Affairs Of The Klemme Community

Funeral services for Taalkeus "Tom" Blank were held from the Klemme Methodist Church Tuesday afternoon with the Rev. E. Morris Egeland officiating and with the Wellemeyer Funeral service in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Blank, who was 87 years old, was a retired railroad man. During his younger days he was active in civic affairs of the community, and was a leader in promoting activities for the betterment of the town. As such he gave much of his personal time and served on the Town Council for 16 years. It was largely through Mr. Blank's efforts that the present sewer system was installed in Klemme and the city water mains extended. Mr. Blank was greatly interested in better education and served 18 years on the school board. He was also active in church affairs and was Superintendent of the Klemme German Church for 17 years.

Since retiring from active duty Mr. Blank kept abreast of the times through reading and very well posted on the affairs of the world. He had a remarkable mind and enjoyed having callers discuss with him the problems of the world.

Interment was on the family lot in Ell Township Cemetery and Mr. Blank was carried to his resting place by Leroy Lau, Taalkeus G. Ahrenkiel, Taalkeus Blank, Frederick Blank, Carroll Usher, Ernest Gerardi.

Taalkeus Blank, age 87 years and 2 months, a resident of Klemme for fifty-six years, died at his home Friday evening, July 20, 1951.

He was born May 26, 1864 in Germany, province of Ostfreisland, village of Boen.

In 1885, at the age of 21, Taalkeus Blank and Geeske Ruiter were married in the Reformed Church at Bunde, Germany.

The following year they migrated to America and settled in Belmond, where Mr. Blank found employment on the railroad, a new track was being laid between Mason City and Fort Dodge. His wage of 90c per day, this seemed high compared with the 12 1/2c per day which he earned in Germany. A few years later he was promoted to section foreman and transferred to Hayfield, Iowa.

In 1892, Mr. Blank completed his naturalization papers and became a citizen of the U. S. A.

In 1895, when our town was six years old, Mr. Blank and his family moved to Klemme, and he was section foreman here until his retirement in 1928.

Shortly after moving to Klemme Mr. Blank purchased an acreage on the west edge of town, built a home for his family, planted shrubs, shade trees and an orchard. He also built shelter for a few head of livestock, a flock of chickens and many stands of bees.

And thus, for more than a half century this hospitable home has been an influence for good in our community.

Taalkeus Blank was a keen thinker, was mechanically inclined, and could do many things well with his hands. He also did his share as a public servant; he sat on the Town Council for 16 years, on the School Board 18 years and he was Superintendent of the Sunday School in the German Methodist Church for 17 years. Mr. Blank drew the plan for the planting of the beautiful elm trees in Klemme's Park, 1914.

Taalkeus and Geeske Blank lived together for 65 years, and then the wife, passed away, this was in June 1950. Since then Mr. Blank kept busy at various shop, work, which he enjoyed, but when death claimed him, he was satisfied and ready and willing to go.

Six of his ten children survive. Four daughters:
Mrs. Agnes Ahrenkiel - Goodell
Mrs. Grace Quandt - Klemme
Mrs. Minnie Usher - Rowan
Miss Marie Blank - Klemme

Two sons:
Ralph Blank - Iowa, Falls
Fred Blank - West Bend

Also two sisters survive:
Mrs. Eva Goodridge - Cedar Rapids
Mrs. Kate Mauss - Rake

Also 16 grand children and 119 great grand children.

source: Times, Klemme, Iowa, 25 Jul 1951, page 1, column 1

 

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