From the October 8, 1953, edition of the Remsen (Ia.) Bell-Enterprise

Jos. C. Wilberding Dies Early Today

Rites for Prominent Business Man to Be Monday

Joseph C. Wilberding, 64, prominent Remsen business man and leading figure in Knights of Columbus circles, passed away early today in the Sacred Heart hospital, LeMars, after one week's sickness.

His death was due to a blood stream infection.

Mr. Wilberding was admitted to the hospital Sunday afternoon when his condition became acute after a failing condition of several days. His death occurred at 1:30 o'clock Thursday morning, October 8.

Services Monday

The body will be at the Fisch funeral home here, wake to be held three nights beginning Friday. Services will be held in St. Mary's Catholic church Monday morning at 9 o'clock. Knights of Columbus and members of the Fourth Degree will attend in a body and will recite the rosary at the funeral home at 9 o'clock Sunday night.

Born at New Vienna

Born at New Vienna, Iowa, April 29, 1889, he was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Anton Wilberding who brought their family here when Joseph was but a child. They settled on a farm southeast of town.

He attended rural at St. Mary's parochial school here and assisted on the farm, later joined his father in the cement contacting business in which he was engaged until the time of his sudden sickness.

Married in 1912

He married Cecelia Meyer in 1912, and of the union, 11 children survive. Mrs. Wilberding died June 2, 1933.

February 14, 1949, he married Mary Selting of Marcus, who survives him.

K. of C. Leader

A lifelong and faithful member of the Catholic church, Mr. Wilberding's prime fraternal affiliation was with the Knights of Columbus.

He joined the order in 1920 at LeMars and was honored with every office by the Trinity council with the exception of grand knight. He was with the LeMars council until March 1951, when as principal organizer of Msgr. Schemel council of Remsen he was unanimously chosen Grand Knight of the new council.

He took a keen interest in the affairs of the council and was largely responsible for its rapid growth to nearly 400 members. He was reelected twice and served until last July when he yielded to a successor and was given the office of deputy Grand Knight. He was a member of the order's Fourth Degree, Carrigan assembly of Sioux City.

His only other fraternal affiliation was the Luxembourger Brotherhood of America.

The Luxembourgh Brotherhood also will attend the funeral in a body.

Led Active Life

Mr. Wilberding was extremely active in his business and in fraternal affairs, also took a high interest in matters pertaining to the civic good. For several years he held the office of justice of the peace. His death was a shock to hundreds of friends and a sore visitation to his family.

Survivors

Survivors, besides the widow, include the following children: Emil, Forty Fort, Pa., Vincent, Kennewick, Wash., Joseph H., Oxnard, Calif., Julian, Smithville, Miss., Edwin, Omaha; Mrs. Lester (Hildegard) Rupp and Mrs. Norbert (Adella) Broderson, Cherokee, Miss Armella, at home, Mrs. George (Elizabeth) Vasser, Vallejo, Calif., Mrs. Richard (Mary Agnes) Knight, Cherokee, and Mrs. Jerry (Margaret) Golden, Magnolia, Iowa.

Brothers and sisters are Anton, New Hampton, Linus, Waterloo, Francis, Marcus, Charles, Mary Hill in Cherokee county, Mrs. Art Delperdang, Mrs. Fred Rupp, and Mrs. Sylvester Clark, all of Cherokee, and Mrs. Ray Baack, LeMars.