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Note: a Wilhelmine Strehlow. Her father Ferdinand Franz (Frank) was born 27 Aug 1871 in Wisconsin. He died at age 65 on 7 Dec 1936. He was a night watchman in Marion, Wisconsin after he retired from farming. Minnie's father was known as Frank. He had six brothers and sisters: Herman born 1867, Ottilie born 1869, Otto Born 1873, John born 1877, Albert born 1880 and Mathilda born 1884.
Minnie's mother, Ida Strehlow, was born 20 Sep 1877 and died 13 May 1919 at age 42 in Belle Plaine, Wisconsin. Minnie was 15 years old. Ida had five brothers; Herman, Fred, Otto, Frank, Julius, and one sister, Martha STREHLOW. Minnie's parents and grandparents all lived in small Wisconsin towns; Marion, Pella, Belle Plaine, Caroline and Clintonville. Minnie was Baptized 25 Sep 1904 in St. Johannis German Evangelical Lutheran Church, Marion, Wisconsin. Godparents were: Albert PANKOW, Mathilda PANKOW and Wilhelmine STREHLOW. Minnie had two brothers, Alfred PANKOW born 22 Mar 1899, died 29 Dec 1974 in a Veterans Hospital in Denver, Colorado, and Harry PANKOW born 24 Aug 1900 in Dupont, Waupaca County, WI. He died 5 Aug 1975 in Hortonville, WI.
Minnie's maternal grandparents were Frederick STREHLOW and Wilemania GREUENOW. Frederick was born 4 Jan 1842 in Germany and died 6 Jul 1924 in Marion, Wisconsin. He immigrated to America in 1870. Wilemania was born in 1852 in Germany and died 1932 in Marion, Wisconsin.
June 8, 1880 United States Census, Pella, Shawano County, Wisconsin states: Minnie's paternal grandparents were Ferdinand PANKOW born 28 Aug 1843 in Prussia and Caroline SCHOEPKE born 24 Sep 1842 in Prussia. They immigrated to the U.S. in 1850 and farmed in Pella, WI. A Petition of Intent for Naturalization was filed 1859-1907 in Shawano County, WI. They had six children at this census: Herman born in 1867, Ottilie born 1869, Ferdinand Franz born 1871, Otto born 1873, John born 1877, Albert born 1880.
Minnies' paternal grandfather - Ferdinand PANKOW died 7 Feb 1913 in Pella, Wisconsin. Her paternal grandmother - Caroline SCHOEPKE died 3 May 1933 at the home of her son, Otto in Grant, Shawano County, Wisconsin. Minnie's father remarried after the death of Ida and her life changed drastically. When Minnie's father died her stepmother put her out of the house to support herself. She worked as a housemaid and eventually became a telephone operator in Marion, Wisconsin. She met Alfred Koepp in Marion and they were married 2 Oct 1928 in St. John's Lutheran Church, Marion, Wisconsin. Members of the bridal party were Irene WEIMER, niece of the groom, Ben POPPENDORF, cousin of the bride, Rose OSTERTAG, flower girl and Elmer VERCH, ringbearer. A reception was held at the home of Otto VERCH. They were married during the depression that lasted several years.
Her life was not easy with the constant struggle of raising a family on the farm. She was a small, fragile lady and farm labor took its toll. She was always happy and satisfied with what little they had and went about her life uncomplaining. She seemed to receive pleasure and enjoyment from the most simple things life and nature offered; from birds chirping, all of Gods little creatures, the beauty of flowers growing wild, and little children at play. They lived on several different farms in Evansville and Davis, Stephenson County, Illinois. When Minnie and Alfred retired from the farm in Davis, Illinois they moved back to Evansville, Rock County, Wisconsin. She became a school crossing guard which she enjoyed very much. Minnie and Alfred belonged to a card club, the Senior Citizens and were members of Zion Lutheran Church, Center Township, Wisconsin. It was a little white church a few miles into the country outside of Evansville. Church was a large part of her life and she was a dedicated member.
Minnie lived in the house with Alfred at 312 South Madison Street, Evansville, Wisconsin until her death 27 Jan 1985 from a heart attack. She was buried 31 Jan 1985 in Greenwood Cemetery Brodhead, Rock County, Wisconsin next to her two sons, Dean and Dale who preceded her in death. Her husband, Alfred, died 29 Nov 1999 in Northfield, Rice County, Minnesota. He was buried 3 Dec 1999 at Greenwood Cemetery in Brodhead, Wisconsin. Minnie and Alfred had 14 grandchilren, 22 great grandchildren and 7 great, great grandchildren.
Note: Minnie was the youngest of three children born to Ferdinand Franz Pankow and Id
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