WILLIAM RAHLFS FOUND DYING

FARMER DIES IN FIELD LESS THAN THREE WEEKS AFTER BROTHER-IN-LAW DIES

William H. Rahlfs, 71, farmer near Arlington, was found dying at his farm Friday noon while preparing his tractor for field work, and died at 7 a.m. Saturday without regaining consciousness.

His death followed by less than three weeks that of his brother-in-law, John H. Petersen, 60-year-old Spiker farmer, who was found dead from the effects of a shotgun blast.

A daughter, Alice, found Mr. Rahlfs lying unconscious beside his tractor when she approached to summon him to lunch. Near his hand was a memo book and pencil which he always carried. In the book he had managed to write: “Got dizzy, laid down.” Death was attributed to a cerebral hemorrhage.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Bendorf Funeral Home, the Rev. D.D. Kennedy of First Baptist church officiating. Burial followed in Blair cemetery.

LONG AT ARLINGTON

Born Jan. 1, 1875, the son of John and Margaret M. Rahlfs, Mr. Rahlfs grew to manhood in the Arlington vicinity. He was confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran church there, and had farmed in this county all his life except for two years in his youth, when he farmed in California and Oregon.

Mr. Rahlfs and Inger Marie Petersen were married Sept. 1, 1909.

He is survived by his wife, Inger; a son, William Harold Rahlfs of Blair; and two daughters, Florence and Alice at home. Other survivors include a grandson, William Harold Rahlfs, Jr. of Blair; a sister, Mrs. J.W. Holstein of Tracy, Minn.; and two brothers, Richard Rahlfs of Berwick (?), N.D. and Frank Rahlfs of Arlington.

#2-2 May, 1946 - The Enterprise

WM. H. RAHLFS DEATH VICTIM

William H. Rahlfs, farmer near Arlington, passed away at his home at seven o’clock Saturday morning, the result of a cerebral hemorrhage.

Stricken Friday noon while preparing his tractor for field work, he never regained consciousness. Coming to call him for the noon meal, his youngest daughter, Alice, found him lying by the tractor. Near his hand was his memo book and pencil which he always carried. In it he had managed to write “Got dizzy, laid down”.

Born January 1, 1875 to John and Margaret M. Rahlfs, William Henry Rahlfs grew to manhood in the Arlington community. He was confirmed in St. Paul’s Lutheran church there and farmed in this county all his life with the exception of two years of his youth which he spent in California and Oregon where he was employed.

He was united in marriage to Inger Marie Petersen on September 1, 1909, and to this union three children were born.

Because of his pleasing personality and his kind, willing disposition, he will be greatly missed by his loved ones and those who knew him.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Inger; two daughters, Florence and Alice at home; a married son, William Harold and a grandson, William Harold, Jr. of Blair. Other survivors are his sister, Mrs. J. W. Holstein of Tracy, Minnesota, two brothers, Richard of Bulwark, North Dakota and Frank of Arlington; also numerous other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held on Monday, April 29th, at two o’clock at the Bendorf Funeral Home with interment in the Blair cemetery.

Pallbearers were Simon Gnuse, Pete Katt, F. W. Ruwe, Edward A. Newkirk, Merle Newkirk and Charles Gottsch.

Richard Rahlfs of Bulwark, North Dakota was here to attend his brother’s funeral.

Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file at the Blair Public Library.