William D. Knoedler was born at Hohn, Baknang, Wurtemburg, Germany on Apr. 10, 1869. He was the son of Ludwig Knoedler and his wife, Lucy, nee Sieboltz. In his infancy he received the blessings of baptism in the Lutheran church at his birthplace, there he also at the age of fifteen years received instruction in confirmation and made his confirmation vows in 1884.

At the age of twenty five years in 1894 he emigrated to America, locating at Kearney, Nebraska, while living there he was united in marriage to Wilhelmina Miller who had also come to America the same year. In 1895 they moved to Frontier county and purchased the farm on which they now lived, six miles west of Eustis. God entrusted to this union seven children: William, Emil, Fred, Herman, Matilda, Lena and Leila. Herman preceded him in death, having been killed in an auto and train collision at Hastings in 1919.

In his entire life he had never been seriously ill until the last week of his life. In late years he gradually failed in strength, however. After a brief illness he passed away at his home on Tuesday morning, December 5, 1950, at the age of 81 years 7 months and 25 days. He was a member of the Eustis Methodist Church.

His death is mourned by his wife, Mrs. Wilhelmina Knoedler of Eustis and by the following children: William and Emil of Saginaw, Mich., Fred of Eustis, Mrs. Ray Lampman of Trenton, Nebr., Mrs. Roy Heath of Farnam, Nebr., and Mrs. Cliff Miles of Sterling, Colo., one brother, Henry of Cozad, Nebr., and one sister, Mrs. Dave Boerkircher of Eustis. ALso 12 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon December 7, 1950 at the Methodist church in Eustis. Rev. Otto Quaife officiating. The singers were Fred, Otto, John, Walter, Edwin, Dean, and Charlie Hueftle and Fred Timm. Mrs. Paul Fasse was at the piano and Miss Ruby Hueftle at the organ.

Six nephews served as pallbearers, they were: Oscar Knoedler, Ben Knoedler, Fred Knoedler, Otto Knoedler, John Knoedler and Paul Knoedler. Interment was in the Eustis cemetery.

The Eustis News 46(40):1 Thursday, December 14, 1950