Obituary: Marquette County, Wisconsin: Randolph MEINKE ************************************************************************ Submitted by Joan Benner, April 2008 © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************************************ From the Central Union [ Westfield, Marquette County, Wisc.], Thursday April 15, 1926, Page 1 Randolph, son of Ferdinand and Henrietta Meinke, was born in the township of Newton, Marquette County, Wisc., on March 2, 1862. He received a common school education and entered the business world at an early age, being associated with his elder brother, Ferdinand W. Meinke, in a general store here in Westfield. Later he entered partnership with Albert Behm in the same line of business. On Mr. Behm’s removal from Westfield the deceased became the sole owner of this general store. In 1896 he sold this business. Two years later he opened a cream and egg commission station in Westfield, which he developed into a grocery store. These interests he retained until his demise. On October 12th, 1885, Randolph Meinke and Louise Rathman were united in marriage at Harrisville, Wis. Three children were born to this union, Herbert who died in infancy, Edna Dorene, who preceded her father two years ago, and Lorena, who is now living in Minneapolis, Minn. Louise Rathman Meinke died March 5, 1893. On June 26th, 1895, Randolph Meinke and Anna Daye were married. They were blessed with six children, three of whom died at early ages. Those, who with their mother, survive their father are Howard Randolph, Alene and A. Marsella. Two brothers, Ferdinand and Julius, both of Westfield, also survive him. The deceased had for many years enjoyed the best of health. His jovial nature and pleasing personality were well known to his friends both here in Westfield and to his business associates, elsewhere. About six weeks prior to his death he was stricken with what seemed a minor illness...on April 3rd he was taken to Minneapolis, Minn., the home of his daughter, for examination and treatment by medical specialists...on April 8th he was operated on for removal of cancer of the abdomen, the day he died. Two daughters and his beloved wife attended him constantly until they were separated by death. Randolph Meinke united with the Evangelical church at an early age...funeral services were held on Monday August 12 at one thirty from his late home and from the Evangelical church...conducted by Rev. Geo. H. Scheible. Interment was made in the family lot in the East Side cemetery.