52 Ancestors #8 Louise K. Bienz Bohnke

Louise K. Bienz was my Grandmother. She was born on 23 Nov 1907 in Union Township Indiana to Adam Bienz and Matilda Bleeke. I never know her and neither did my dad. She died on 7 Oct 1935 just 10 days after my dad was born. I found her obituary in our local newspaper the Decatur Democrat it states death was due to embolism. This is also what my dad always told me about his mother.



Louise is buried at St. Peter Lutheran Church Cemetery on 100 East in Adams County Indiana. She is buried alone, her husband Herman Bohnke was not buried with Louise when he died in 1952, he is also buried alone in the same cemetery. 

Herman and Louise were married on 7 Jun 1930 they had 2 children Willmott Doyle born 18 Mar 1933 in Adams County IN and my dad Lehnford Lee. Willmott was killed in a jeep accident on 4 Mar 1954 at Ft. Hood Texas. Willmott had enlisted in the U.S Army on 13 Apr 1953.  He is also buried at St. Peter's Church Cemetery.















52 Ancestors Week #6 Adam J. Bienz

Headstone Adam J Bienz

Christina Matilda Bleeke

Adam J. Bienz was born in Willshire Ohio, 26 Oct 1859, son of Jacob and Elizabeth Pflueger Bienz.

His first wife Pauline Germann died leaving 1 daughter Minnie.

Adam married his second wife Christina Reinking 14 May 1899. She died 9 Apr 1893 leaving 1 daughter Paula.

 On 14 May 1900 he married Matilda Bleeke daughter of Christian and Mary Rupp Bleeke. They had 7 children all born in Adams County Decatur IN.

Erwin born 21 Dec 1900 died Mar 1979

Amelia born 30 Jan 1903 died 7 Jan 1999

married Martin Bulmahn

Martin born 13 Apr 1905 died Mar 1955

married Leona Bucher

Louise born 23 Nov 1907 died 7 Oct 1935

married Herman Bohnke (my grandparents)

Emil born 12 May 1910 died Sep 1987

Ida born 1 Sep 1912 died 23 Jan 1994

married Carl Badenhop

Norma born 29 Jan 1915 died 12 Mar 1997

married Oscar Schuller

I don't know if Erwin or Emil were ever married, I have not found a wedding record for either one.

Adam grew up in Van Wert County and had a common school education. He worked for several years with his father on the family farm. At the age of 18 he learned the carpentry trade and worked as a contractor for 10 years. By 1892 he had moved to Decatur IN saving enough money to buy a 110 acre farm in Union Township. He also served as the trustee for Union Township starting January 1915 serving for 4 years.

Census records show Adam and Matilda stayed in Adams County until his death on 16 Jan 1949. He is buried in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery along side his wife Matilda who died 5 years earlier on 22 Apr 1944.

52 Ancestors Week#4 Herman W. Bohnke

Herman W. Bohnke
Louise K. Bienz
wedding photo
7 Jun 1930




My Grandfather Herman W. Bohnke was born on 24 Nov 1903 in Root Township, Adams County, Decatur IN. He was the 3rd child of Charles W. and Emma L. Franz Bohnke. Herman worked on the family farm his whole life.
 He married Louise K. Bienz daughter of Adam J. and Matilda Bleeke Bienz at St. Peter's  Lutheran Church by Rev. M J Frosch in Root Township, Adams County,  Decatur IN. Prior to their marriage Louise was an employee of the General Electric plant in Decatur IN.
 After their marriage they moved to the Bohnke farm in Root Township. Together they had 2 sons, Willmott Doyle Bohnke was born on 18 Mar 1933 and Lehnford Lee Bohnke was born on 27 Sep 1935. Sadly Louise died of an embolism on 7 Oct 1935. Burial was at St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery, Rev. L J Dornseif.
On 14 Dec 1939 Herman married Sophie L. Krueckeberg daughter of Martin and Laura Bleeke Krueckeberg. They had no children.
On 2 Jan 1952 Herman was stricken with a heart attack while driving on US 27 northwest of Decatur. He was found by police and taken to Adams County Memorial Hospital. Burial was at St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery by Rev. F W Droegemueller.

Sunday'sObituary-Willmott D. Bohnke

Pvt.Willmott D. Bohnke, 20-year old root township young man, died early this morning at the U.S. Army hospital at Fort Hood Tex.
The young soldier died of head injuries which resulted from an automoble accident on highway 440 near Ft. Hood , according to meager reports received here today by relatives. A telegram was received late Wednesday telling the family that the youth was in critical condition and the wire telling of his death was received today while a brother, Lehnford Bohnke, was preparing to go to Texas. State police said his auto rolled over several times after the soldier apperently failed to make a turn in the highway.
The youthful soldier enlisted in the army April 13, 1953 and was sent to Frot Lewis Wash. for basic training and was transfered to Fort Hood last November.
He was born in Decatur Indiana March 18, 1933, a son of Herman W. and Louise Bienz-Bohnke. Both parents are deceased. The youth made his home with a grandmother, Mrs. Emma Bohnke of Root township, and was engaged in farming with his uncle Alvin Bohnke before entering the service. He is survived by his grandmother and the brother Lehnford.
The young veteran was a member of St. Peters Lutheran church.Burial will be in the church cemetery with the Rev. F.W. Droegmueller officiting. Adams Post 43 American Legion will conduct military rites.