LOUIS WEDERTZ

LOUIS WEDERTZ DIES TODAY IN SAN FRANCISCO
Lakeside Packing Co. Head Succumbs To Pneumonia After Short Illness
Louis E. Wedertz, 67, head of the Lakeside Packing company and a resident of
Manitowoc since 1907, died early today in San Francisco, Calif. He was stricken
ill with pneumonia in that city last Thursday while enroute to Manitowoc with
his wife, after spending a several weeks’ vacation in California.
Body to be Brought Home
The body is to be brought to this city for funeral service and interment. Harry
Wedertz, an only son who flew to California Sunday following receipt of a
message telling of the critical illness of his father, and Mrs. Wedertz are
accompanying the body home. Service will be held here either Friday or Saturday.
Mr. and Mrs. Wedertz left Manitowoc late in January by train for Texas where they
joined Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Rummele who were making the trip west by motor. They
continued west to Los Angeles, Calif. All four were taken ill with the flu in the
west and were under the care of physicians for some time.
Mr. and Mrs. Wedertz took the train to San Francisco intending to join Mr. and
Mrs. Rummele there. Mr. Wedertz was taken ill with pneumonia in San Francisco
four days ago and weakened by his previous illness sank rapidly.
Mr. Wedertz was born in Burlington, Iowa in 1869 and spent his early life in that
city. He later located in Chicago. He came to Manitowoc in 1907 when C. W.
Gillett took over the Landreth interests in the operation of a number of pea
packing plants in Wisconsin, with headquarters in this city.
Prominent in Elks
The Wisconsin Pea Canners company was incorporated and Mr. Wedertz assumed an
office position with the firm. In 1922 the Lakeside Packing company was organized
and took over the canning interests of the old company. Mr. Wedertz was elected
president and general manager of the company whicih operates plants in this city,
Sheboygan, Amery and Turtle Lake, in Wisconsin, and at Plainview, Minn.
For many years Mr. Wedertz was prominent in the Manitowoc lodge of Elks. He served
as exalted ruler of the lodge in the period when the new clubhouse on South Eighth
street was erected in 1919. He took an active interest in the building campaign
and was chairman of a finance committee that raised funds for the clubhouse.
Mr. Wedertz was an ardent baseball fan and during the season followed with interest
the progress of the race in the major circuits. He also was prominent in aiding
Manitowoc ball clubs years ago when the city was in state circuits.
Mr. Wedertz was married in Burlington, Iowa to Miss Elizabeth Dustwin.
Survivors are the widow; a son Harry, city; two brothers, Gustave, Burlington,
Iowa and William, Chicago; and a sister, Mrs. Lydia Smith, Burlington, Iowa.
Manitowoc Herald Times, April 7, 1936 P. 2
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[Louis Edmund Wedertz/bur. 4-11-1936/died at San Francisco, CA/age 68 yrs/
cause: coronary occlusion & pulmonary infarction contributory arterio sclerosis]