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Henry Adolf Johlfs

Theresa Geraldine Fiedler

Married: June 5, 1922; St. Gabriel's Catholic Church, Fulda, Minnesota

 

Children:

  • Mary Catherine Johlfs
  • Dean Henry Johlfs

 

 

Henry and Theresa, Circa 1940

Henry Adolf Johlfs was born February 19, 1892 in Remsen, Iowa. A year later, his family moved to Murray County, Minnesota and farmed. Henry and his brothers and sisters attended school number 68. In 1919, he purchased the N.H. Lanertz General Store in Fulda, Minnesota, which he operated for seven years. He married Theresa Fiedler on June 5, 1922 in Fulda. On April 4, 1926, they moved to Marshall, where for almost a quarter of a century, he ran the Economy Grocery in partnership with his brother-in-law, Frank Fiedler. In hard times, Henry extended credit to many area families to allow them to feed their families.

Henry died on December 8, 1949. He had a heart condition,most likely caused from having rheumatic fever as a child. He was confined to his home the last year of his life. Out of respect, Marshall businesses drew their shades at the time of his funeral. Aunt Mary recalls that as well as drawn shades, personnel from downtown business establishments stood honor guard on the sidewalk as the funeral procession drove from Holy Redeemer Church, down Main Street to Calvary Cemetery.

Theresa Petronila Fiedler was born October 6, 1898 in Fulda, Minnesota. Her parents immigrated to America only 6 years before. After graduating from Fulda High School, she attended normal school (normal schools were schools specifically for public teacher education). Upon graduation, she taught rural schools near Fulda. After Henry's death, Theresa attended Mankato State Teacher's College to qualify herself to resume her teaching career. She was 51 years old. She taught at the Knieff rural school for three years before being hired by Holy Redeemer School in Marshall as their first lay teacher in 1953. She taught fourth grade until her retirement in 1970.

Upon her retirement from teaching in 1970, Theresa kept busy with choir and clubs--she was a charter member of the Catholic Daughters; Women's Circles of the Parish; and Marion Helpers. She played in several bridge clubs as well. She is fondly remembered for her kolachys, a family recipe brought from the old country. A kolachy is a Czech pastry. Several of the Fieldler cousins recall her rising at 5a.m. to start making the kolachys. She moved to Fargo in 1992 to be closer to her daughter Mary. Theresa died March 29, 1995 in Fargo, North Dakota. She is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Marshall. Along with numerous friends and family, several of her former students attended her funeral.