Sunday's Obituary - Melvin C. Reimann

This is the obituary of Melvin C. Reimann, my first cousin twice removed. He was the son of Conrad and Norma (Polsfuss) Reimann. Norma was the sister of my great grandmother, Alma (Polsfuss) Schauer. Melvin would have been a first cousin to my grandmother, and that's the "twice removed" part of the equation. He was the twin brother of Marvin Reimann, though I don't know if they were identical or fraternal twins. His parents and brother were buried at Roselawn Memorial Park in Monona, WI, but his tombstone is not in the immediate vicinity. He may not be buried at the same cemetery.Update:He was buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, Madison, Wisconsin, Section 8, Lot 161 according to cemetery records on find-a-grave.

This is from the February 15, 1999 edition of the Wisconsin State Journal.

Reimann, Melvin C.
MADISON - Melvin C. Reimann, age 73, died unexpectedly at home on Saturday, February 13, 1999. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison and was an investment broker in Madison for many years. Presently associated with Morgan, Stanley and Dean Witter, Inc. Melvin was an active member of Bethel Lutheran Church, serving on the Endowment Foundation, Television Ministry and for many years was a church usher. He is survived by his wife, Carol Jean; a son Mark; a brother-in-law, Fred (Geri) Nelson of Verona; a niece, Tiffany; and a nephew, Trent. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Norma and Conrad; and a twin brother, Marvin. Fulfilling Mel's wish private family services will be held with no visitation. Memorials may be made to Bethel Media Ministry, Bethel Endowment Foundation or the donors choice.

The above obituary is from the Wisconsin State Journal, February 15, 1999. It was probably written by a member of the Reimann family and not the newspaper itself. I'm publishing it here for educational and genealogical purposes.

Tombstone Tuesday - Christoph and Ella Muehrer

This is the tombstone of Christoph and Ella (Polsfuss) Muehrer located at Westfield East Cemetery, Marquette County, Wisconsin. Ella was the sister of my Great Grandmother, Alma (Polsfuss) Schauer, so she would be my great grand aunt.

The tombstone is transcribed as follows:

MUEHRER

Father
Christoph A
1889 - 1961

Mother
Ella E.
1888 - 1964

Tombstone Tuesday - Norma and Conrad Reimann

Reimann

This is the tombstone of Norma T. (Polsfuss) and Conrad G. Reimann located at Roselawn Memorial Park, Monona, Dane County, Wisconsin. They were my great grand aunt and uncle. Norma was the sister of my great grandmother Alma (Polsfuss) Schauer, on my mother's side of the family. The lot is located in section R, I have marked it in the location field at the bottom of this post.

The tombstone is transcribed as follows.

Norma T
1904-1989

Conrad G.
1899-1986

Reimann

Roselawn Memorial Park entrance sign at north end of the cemetery off Femrite Drive.

Sunday's Obituary - Norma T. Polsfuss Reimann

Today's obituary is from my mother's side of the family and down the line to the Polfuss surname. Norma T. (Polsfuss) Reimann (1904-1989) was my great grand aunt, the sister of my great grand mother Alma (Polsfuss) Schauer (1895-1977). They were the daughters of Gottlieb (~1860-1939) and Hulda (Schulke) Polsfuss (~1866-1946). Unfortunately, I have no photos of Norma scanned at the moment to post with this obituary.

This obituary is from the May 8, 1989 edition of the Wisconsin State Journal page 6A. I added the material in the brackets the clarify. There is also some question on the number of siblings, my notes have 8 children for Gottlieb and Hulda. She had 3 sisters and 4 brothers, but one brother died only a day old and a sister died around age 16 or 17, so they may have been omitted from the obituary by its author. I don't have dates of death for her oldest sister Ella (born 1888) and her youngest brother William Palfuss (born 1901). Her oldest sister Ella died in 1964, so according to my notes she was preceded in death by three sisters, Ella, Ida and Alma.

Reimann, Norma T.
MADISON — Norma T. Reimann, age 85, of 4806 Regent Street, Madison, died on Saturday, May 6, 1989, at her home. She was born on January 26, 1904, In Newton township, [Marquette County, Wisconsin] the daughter of Gottlieb and Hulda Polsfuss. She married Conrad Reimann on June 29, 1924, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Newton. He preceded her in death in 1986. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Madison for many years where she had been active in several of its organizations until the time of her death. Survivors include: Melvin (Carol Jean) Reimann of Madison; a daughter-in-law, Lois Reimann of Madison; and three grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was also preceded in death by: her son, Marvin Reimann in 1984; three brothers; and two sisters. Funeral services will be held at IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1201 [sic (should be 1021)] Spaight Street, at 10:30 am on Tuesday, May 9, 1989. Reverend David Susan will officiate. Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Park. Friends may call from 5:00 until 7:00 pm on Monday, May 8, 1989, at the GUNDERSON FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church.

The above obituary is from the Wisconsin State Journal, May 8, 1989. It was probably written by a member of the Reimann family and not the newspaper itself. I'm publishing it here for educational and genealogical purposes.

Updated to reflect that I found the year of death for Ella (Polsfuss) Muehrer.

Gottlieb Polsfuss Family of Marquette County, Wisconsin

Gottlieb Polsfuss Plot at Westfield East Cemetery, Marquette County, WI

This is a first attempt at posting a family group sheet to the blog, so I don't know if this is what I want to do in the future, but just trying it out.

Gottlieb Polsfuss was my 2nd Great Grandfather on my mother's side. His daughter, Alma Marie (Polsfuss) Schauer was my Great Grandmother.

Looking at the group sheet, there are still a few questions to answer. Did Ella Polsfuss get married? Last I can find her is 1905. She married Christoph A. Muehrer after 1905.

I have no children listed for Reinhold and Vera Polsfuss. Social security death index has them dropping an S and named Polfuss, living in Wautoma, Waushara, Wisconsin.

I have three children listed for William C. Polsfuss, but I don't have his wife's name and I don't have many details about him, but apparently he changed the spelling of his last name to Palfuss prior to 1930. He was a realtor in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area for many years.

I have twin sons listed for Norma and Conrad Reimann, both deceased, but no other details listed. Oddly, I don't have any burial locations listed for Norma and Conrad, but I think I was at their funerals, or at least the visitation. They are buried at Roselawn Memorial Park, Monona, Dane, Wisconsin. I found obituaries for Norma, Conrad, Melvin and Marvin Reimann in the Wisconsin State Journal.

The group sheet is after the jump... (click read more)

Book Excerpt: The Early Years of the Les Paul Legacy 1915 - 1963

Les Paul Live @ Iridium Jazz Club in
New York City in October 2008
by Thomas Faivre-Duboz.

I found this book on the internet tonight, interesting but not sure of the connection yet. I didn't realize it until tonight, but Les Paul's birth name was Polsfuss.
Book Excerpt: The Early Years of the Les Paul Legacy 1915 - 1963.

According to the book excerpt, Les Paul was born, Lester William Polsfuss, June 9, 1915, in Waukesha County, Wisconsin to George and Evelyn Polsfuss. His grandfather was August Polsfuss of Prussia. From his wikipedia biography, in case you're not aware, Les was "an American jazz and country guitarist, songwriter and inventor. He was a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar which made the sound of rock and roll possible."

My 2nd great grandfather was Gottlieb Polsfuss, son of Christian Poslfuss, both were born in Prussia. Les Paul's family settled in Waukesha County and my ancestors settled in Marquette County, Wisconsin. I'm not sure if there is a connection, but it seems possible that he was a cousin. I'll have to look closer into that part of my mother's side of the family.

Tombstone Tuesday - Polsfuss plot at Westfield East Cemetery

This is a photo of the three tombstones in the Polsfuss plot at Westfield East Cemetery, Westfield, Marquette, Wisconsin. From left to right are Edward W. Polsfuss, Hulda A. Polsfuss and Gottlieb Polsfuss.

Tombstone Tuesday - Edward Polsfuss

This is the tombstone of Edward W. Polsfuss located at Westfield East Cemetery, Westfield, Marquette, Wisconsin. He was the brother of Alma Marie (Polsfuss) Schauer and he was my Great Grand Uncle.

According to my notes, Edward W. Polsfuss was born December 1892 in Wisconsin to Gottlieb and Hulda A. (Schulke) Polsfuss. He died in 1927 and was buried at Westfield East Cemetery. His mother and father were buried in adjacent plots several years later.

Tombstone Tuesday - Hulda Polsfuss

This is the tombstone of Hulda A. Polsfuss located at Westfield East Cemetery, Westfield, Marquette, Wisconsin. She was the mother of Alma Marie (Polsfuss) Schauer and she is my 2nd Great Grandmother.

According to my notes, Hulda A. Schulke (or Schuelke) was born 1866 in Posen, Prussia to Wilhelm and Caroline Schulke. She was naturalized in 1876. She married Gottlieb Polsfuss July 7, 1885 and they had at least 8 children. She died in 1946 and was buried at Westfield East Cemetery near her son Edward, who died in 1927 and her husband Gottlieb.

Tombstone Tuesday - Gottlieb Polsfuss

This is the tombstone of Gottlieb Polsfuss located at Westfield East Cemetery, Westfield, Marquette, Wisconsin. He was the father of Alma Marie (Polsfuss) Schauer and he is my 2nd Great Grandfather.

According to my notes, Gottlieb was born 1860 in Posen, Prussia to Christian and Augusta Polsfuss, though I am not 100% confident about the parent's first names. He was naturalized in 1870. He married Hulda A. Schulke July 7, 1885 and they had at least 8 children. He died in 1939 and was buried at Westfield East Cemetery near his son Edward, who died in 1927.

Tombstone Tuesday - Arnold and Alma Schauer

Sorry about the photo, but the stone was highly reflective. This is the tombstone of Arnold Carl Schauer and Alma Marie (Polsfuss) Schauer located at Westfield East Cemetery, Westfield, Wisconsin.

The tombstone of their daughter Twyla (Schauer)Schultz is located nearby and is of a similar design.

The connection to the Brassfield surname is that Alma and Arnold Schauer's grand daughter married a Brassfield. They are my great grand parents.