Women of Oconto County's past

Blanche Broetzman, 100, Gillett, passed away Monday morning, July 6, 2009, at Woodlands of Gillett. Blanche was born January 18, 1909, in Bear Creek to the late Napoleon and Margaret (Flannegan) Thielke.

When Blanche was nine months old, she and her family moved to Suring. At age 16, she graduated from Suring-High School and went to Oconto Falls for teachers training. She taught in the Suring area, for five years, in a lone room school house with eight grades.

(Note:Blanche Thielke taught from 1927-1928 at South Branch School in Breed; 1928- 31 she taught at Norway Pines, District #5 School in Breed. Information provided by the Oconto County Genealogy Society )

On December 29, 1931, Blanche married Melvin L. Broetzman at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Suring. The couple moved to Gillett in 1949. Mel preceded her in death May 3, 1995. Blanche was a member of St. John's Catholic Church, Gillett, and the altar society. Blanche was well known throughout Gillett for her famous pie crusts and pies. She was also known for her sharp wit.

Blanche is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Brian Ellis; her daughter-in-law, Sally Broetzman; six grandchildren: Becky (Steven) Schmitt, Tom Broetzman, Karen (Andy) Valiquett, Megan (Fiance Andy Renner) Broetzman, Mary Beth (Joe) Brown, Jennifer Ellis; four great-grandchildren: Jessica Spaulding, B.J. Spaulding, David Spaulding, Timothy Schmitt; two great-great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends.

Blanche was also preceded in death by one daughter, JoAnn Hurlbut; two sons: Lloyd and Dean; two grandsons: Nick Hurlbut, Pat Hurlbut, and six siblings.
Friends may call from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., Friday, July 10, 2009, at ST. JOHN'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, Gillett. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial 11 a.m., Friday, at the church with the Rev. John M. Gallagher officiating.

Interment in Hickory Cemetery, Town of Maple Valley.

KUEHL FUNERAL HOME, Gillett , is assisting Blanche's family with arrangements.

Blanche's family would like to thank the staff of Woodlands of Gillett and Heartland Hospice for their loving care given to her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thielke Family Tree
(also found as Tilke, Tilkey)

1. Blanche's grandfather, Wmn. F. Thielke died in Suring, WI. at the home of his daughter Minnie, Sept. 28, 1917.

2. Blanche's grandmother, Clofield Bergeron's was John Baptiste Bergeron youngest daughter. Clofield's mother was Angelique Brunette (Brunet).

3. Blanche's father, Napoleon L. had ten (10) children, plus twins that died several months after birth. One sister was not included in the write up, Frances. One brother, Jacob, was listed in the 1880 census but never again. In talking with Blanche and her sister Florence, they had no memory of this uncle. He is a mystery.

4. In regard to Blanche's brothers and sisters; I have some different birth dates but not significant. One major item is the birth of Gertrute and Mary. They were born in 1890 and died the same year. Buried in Bear Creek, WI.

5. The Flanagan Family Tree: The major difference was the inclusion of John and Michael, son's of John and Bridget Flanagan. according to information on your net they were born: John in 1844 and Mike in Ohio. I only have the the four daughters: Mary born in St. Louis, MO. and Maggie (Blanche's mother) born in Bear Creek as was Bridget and Ellen (Nell).

Thielke, William Frederick
    born: April 29, 1842 in Prussia (now Germany)
    occupation: farmer;
    immigrated from Germany (Prussia) in 1854;
    died: September 30, 1917 in Suring, WI. at the home of his daughter Minnie. Don Thielke

Clofield (Bergeron);
    born: April 1845 in Little Chute, Brown County, Wisconsin
    parents (born in French Canada): (John) Jean Baptiste Bergeron 1790-1872, Angelique Brunet 1801-1850
    marriage to William Thielke: Feb 15, 1863, Little Chute, Brown County, WI;
   died: May 23,1908 in Bear Creek, Wisconsin

Note on Clofield: Blanche's grandmother, Clofield Bergeron was John Baptiste Bergeron youngest daughter. Clofield's mother was Angelique Brunette (Brunet). Don Thielke

Children of William and Clofield (Bergeron) Thielke: 13 children born, 9 living in 1900 all born in Bear Creek, Wapaca, Wisconsin;

    Napoleon; 1862
    Sophie age 1866
    Elizabeth 1868
    Matilda 1871
    Minnie 1872
    Joseph 1875
    Jacob 1878 (not found after 1880 census and not known to nieces)
    William; August 1877, lived in Oconto Falls, Wisconsin
    James December 1884, lived in Suring, Wisconsin

Thielke, Napoleon
born: Nov. 15, 1864 Bear Creek, Waupaca, Wisconsin
occupation: farmer - Bear Creek until 1909, Maple Valley, Oconto County, Wisconsin until 1933 retirement.

Margaret Flanagan
born: Dec. 11, 1863 Brown County, Wisconsin
married: June 16, 1887 Shawano, Wisconsin

Note on children: in regard to Blanche's brothers and sisters; I have some different birth dates but not significant. One major item is the birth of Gertrute and Mary. They were born in 1890 and died the same year. Buried in Bear Creek, WI. Don Thielke

Leonard 1889, lived in Coleman, Wisconsin
Gilbert 1893, lived in Lakewood, Wisconsin
Cleo 1895, married Charles Mathys, lived in Suring, Oconto County, Wisconsin
Savalia 1897 (teacher in 1920), married John Rusch, lived in Maple Valley, Oconto County, Wisconsin
John 1901, lived in Pound, Wisconsin
Florence 1903, married Raymond Nelson
Blanche 1909 (teacher 1927-1931), married Melvin Broetzman, lived in Gillett

note on Napoleon Thielke: Blanche's father, Napoleon L. had ten (10) children, plus twins that died several months after birth. One sister was not included in the write up (below), Frances. One brother, Jacob, was listed in the 1880 census but never again. In talking with Blanche and her sister Florence, they had no memory of this uncle. He is a mystery. Don Thielke

OCONTO FALLS, Wis – Mr. and Mrs. Napoleon Thielke of this city celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at the home of their daughter, Mrs. Melvin Broetzman Wednesday. Mass was said in the morning at St. Anthony’s Catholic church by the Rev. F. J. Melchiors and wedding dinner and supper were served to 125 guests, including friends from Suring, Kaukauna, Kewaunee, Oconto Falls, Green Bay and Bear Creek.

Mr. Thielke was born in Green Bay, Dec. 11, 1863, and Mrs. Thielke (nee: Margaret Flannigan) was born at Bear Creek Nov. 15, 1864. They were married at Shawano, June 16, 1887 by the Rev. F. Norbert. They settled on a farm at Bear Creek where they lived until 1909 when they came to Suring and settled on another farm. They retired in 1933 and came to live in this city.

They are the parents of seven living children, Mrs. John H(?) Leonard, Coleman; Gilbert, Lakewood; John, Pound; Mrs. Charles Mathys, Kewaunee; Mrs. Raymond Nelson, town of Oconto Falls, and Mrs. Melvin Broetzman, Hickory. They have 16 grandchildren. All the children and their families were present at the celebration.

Mrs. Thielke’s two sisters, Mrs. M. Long and Mrs. A. Cunningham, Clintonville, and Mr. Thielke’s two brothers, William, Oconto Falls, and James, Suring, were also present. Both Mr. and Mrs. Thielke are active and in good health.

1941
Oconto Falls—Mr. and Mrs. Napoleon Thielke celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary at their home here Sunday afternoon. A 5 o’clock dinner was served to 55 guests. The Thielkes were married June 16, 1887 at Shawano. Their attendants were Miss Sophia Thielke and John Smith. The attendants are both deceased. Mrs. Thielke was formerly Miss Margaret Flannigan and was born at Bear Creek November 15, 1864. Mr. Thielke was born at Fort Howard, Green Bay, December 11, 1863. They settled on a farm at Bear Creek where they lived for 22 years before coming to this community and buying a farm in the town of Maple Valley where they lived until seven years ago when they retired and came to this city. They were the parents of nine children. The living are three sons, Leonard, Coleman; Gilbert, Lakewood; and John, Gillett; and three daughters, Mrs. Charles Mathy, Kewaunee; Mrs. Ray nelson, Oconto Falls, and Mrs. Melvin Broetzman, Kelly Lake. Two sister of Mrs. Thielke, Mrs. M. Long and Mrs. A. Cunningham, Clintonville were also there. Mr. and Mrs. Thielke are devout members of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church where they attend mass and receive holy communion daily. They are both enjoying good health.

WOMEN of EARLY OCONTO COUNTY