Wabasha County Herald; May 14, 1914

Another pioneer entered into eternal rest at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon, May 9, when Gerhard Budde succumbed to an illness of several months at his home on Third street in this city. The entire family was present with him during his last days, as he entered into the Valley of the Shadow.

The funeral was held Tuesday forenoon with services at 10 o'clock at St. Felix church, Rt. Rev. Msgr. Wurst officiating. He was assisted by Father O'Moore of Kellogg and Father Zahner of Conception. The remains were laid to rest in St. Felix cemetery.

Mr. Budde was one of the very early settlers in this section. He staked a claim on Wabasha Hill in 1859, and when he and his bride settled there the following year they were the first farmers on the hill. Below them, in the bottoms, Indian teepees were occasionally to be seen, and to the westward their nearest neighbor was many miles away.

Gerhard Budde was born in Bethen, Oldenburg, Germany, July 25, 1831. He came to America in 1846 and worked in St. Louis and other places until 1853, when he went to California and superintended several gold mining crews. Then he worked his way eastward and halted for a while in Wabasha county, looking up a location.

In 1860, on July 17, he was married at Sinsinawa Mound, Grant county, Wisconsin, to Elizabeth Vosberg, Rev. Candler being the officiating clergyman. They came to Reeds Landing on their wedding trip, taking breakfast on their arrival at the old Odink place. Their honeymoon was spent in walking to the site of their new home, through woods and underbrush and hauling their few belongings with oxen.

They lived in a small log cabin for eleven years. They toiled and struggled on, meeting the clouds as well as the sunshine with a strong heart and a firm purpose to conquer difficulties. Thus they were enabled eventually to build the fine brick house at present on the place, and to give their large family a comfortable living.

Mr. and Mrs. Budde retired in 1905 and took up their residence in Wabasha to spend their declining days in peace and comfort. They observed their fiftieth wedding anniversary in 1910.

Mr. Budde is survived by his faithful helpmate and the following sons and daughters; George Budde of Greenfield; Mrs. T. J. Toben of Duluth; Mrs. H. B., Kennebeck of Belen, New Mexico; Mrs. Clem Welp, Plainview; Mrs. Philip Connors of Saskatoon, Canada; Frank Budde of Pepin township; Tony, Clara, Dora and Joseph, who are on the home place, and Tena, who has been with her parents at their home in this city. One brother, Joseph Budde of Clearfield, S. D., also survives, as does a half-brother, Theo. Budde of South Dakota. There are 23 grandchildren and one great-grandchild living.

Mr. Budde was a good citizen and a worthy gentleman. He came of sturdy German parentage and was the type of man who is bound to succeed, even in the face of disheartening obstacles. He was an industrious man, a kindly neighbor imbued with healthy ideas and a sympathetic nature. He was a devoted husband and father, and will live on in the hearts of those near and dear to him.