JOHN B. AND MARY [BELKA] VOLQUARDSEN
John Bernard Volquardsen, son of Henry and Ida (Nicholson)
Volquardsen, was born February 16, 1892, near Denison, Iowa, and
died October 20, 1956, at a Lynch hospital at the age of 64 years.
Nearly a week before his death, he had suffered a stroke while out
fishing with some of his family.
His family moved to Bloomfield in 1907 and later he farmed near
Walnut where he spent the remainder of his life.
On January 25, 1916, John married Mary Belka, daughter of Carl and
Mary (Runtsch) Belka.
Mary was born on April 18, 1896, and they were blessed with 15
children, two of whom preceded them in death. Mary died in June of
1973.
They lived at several places around Walnut and later settled on the
place where Carl still makes his home. Through the rough years in
the 30s, it was a struggle to keep bills paid and have enough food
for the family, but through hard work, they managed. They were
always willing to help anyone who needed it.
[pg 453 photo John and Mary Volquardsen]
Their children and facts about each follow:
Marie married Robert Phelps, and they have three daughters, Ruth,
Kay, and Donna.
Bertha married Reno Boelter, and their children are Irene, Fred,
Judy, and Ed.
Myrtle and James Podany were married and have two sons, Clayton and
Richard.
Johnnie passed away in July of 1983 having suffered allergic
reactions to a bee sting.
Carl is making his home on the home place.
Bernard married Iola Merritt and their children are: Patty, Eugene,
Brenda, Eileen, Janet, Dennis, Dianne, Charles, Sharon, Martin, and
Randall. Lynette passed away in infancy.
Gordon and Shirley Schwartz were married and they have two children,
Joann and Terry.
Gladys married Jim Gleeson, and they had five children: Kevin,
Tammy, Kirk, Keith, and Kent who died in infancy.
Eleanor married John Bruce and their four children are John, Jr.,
Suzanne, William, and Robert.
Grace married Louis C. Pavlik and their two sons are Jerald and
Rodney.
Donald and Virginia Damero were married and blessed with four sons:
Mark, James, Monte, and Brett.
Dale passed away at the age of six months.
Glen married Gloria Cernousek and their three sons are Gregory,
Gailen, and Grant.
Helen married Bernie Branigan and they have four children: Cindy,
Dale, Cheryl, and Vicki.
Rosemary passed away in infancy.
John and Mary were both laid to rest at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery
with their sons Johnnie and Dale, daughter Rosemary, and other
family members.
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