Obit: Pierstorff, Charles -- Rev. (1884 - 1942)

Contact: Stan
Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Pierstorff, Wesenberg, Ragan, Muller, Gordon, Carnham, Wilson, Shirk

----Source: Humbird Enterprise (Humbird, Clark Co., Wis.) 12/26/1942

Pierstorff, Charles -- Rev. (1 OCT 1884 - 18 DEC 1942)

Funeral services were held at Merrillan church Monday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock for the Rev. C.H. Pierstorff, who died suddenly at the parsonage in that village Friday night, following a paralytic attack.  Several weeks ago he suffered a light attack,a nd although not recovering from the attack had continued in his ministerial duties on the circuit - Merrillan, Alma Center and Humbird.

The Rev. Ernest E. Clarke of eau Claire, district superintendent, officiated at the burial rites, using as the thought of his sermon, "Anchor of Hope," from a text found in the sixth chapter of Hebrews.  The Rev. Leland R. Cooper of Augusta read the scripture lesson; the Rev. Obed Asp of Neillsville, gave the prayer; the Rev. Harold A. Allison of Black River Falls, gave a fine tribute to his brother pastor; and the Rev. Floyd A. Fahlgren of Melrose pronounced the benediction.  Musical selections were "Crossing the Bar," "Abide with Me," and "Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross," with Miss Edith Simons accompanist.  Pallbearers were C.A. Nolop, Bert Hauby, E.T. Hale, Henry Tande, Leslie Sherman, DeVanse Staples.  Many members of the three congregations were present at the services.

The remains were taken to Gotham, where services were held in the Methodist Church at 2:30 Tuesday afternoon, the Rev. T.S. Beavins officiating.  Burial was in the Button Cemetery at Gotham.

Charles Henry Pierstorff, son of Charles I.F. Pierstorff and Dorothea Wesenberg, was born Oct. 1, 1884, near Verona.  His early boyhood was spent on various farms in that vicinity.  When he was fourteen years of age the family moved to a farm near Gotham.

On Sept. 5, 1906, he was united in marriage to Lelah Dora Ragan.  To this union were born four children: Venora, Arthur, Charles and Lola.  The first five eyars of their married life were spent on a farm east of Gotham.

On the day of the death of their little son Arthur in 1911, they dedicated themselves to the Christian ministry.  The following year was spent in preparation, studying gospel, singing at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago.  In the autumn of 1912, they entered active service, by being appointed at the conference at Mineral Point to the Richland Center circuit where they served two years.  he and his wife spent the following years at the Garrett Biblical Institute, from which he graduated in December 1916.

He was taken into the West Wisconsin Methodist Conference on trail in 1915 and admitted in the fall of 1917.  In 1917 he was ordained deacon and in 1918, elder.  Together they served the following charges: Maiden Rock, Livingston, Stanley, Mauston, and La Farge, where his wife Lelah passed away in 1930.

He then served at Poynette for six years.  On Dec. 25, 1932, during his pastorate at Poynette, he married Mrs. Maud Muller of Highmore, S.D.  After their next appointment at Albany from 1936 - 1939, they came to the present charge at Merrillan, Alma Center and Humbird.  He remained in active service until the time of his death, Friday, Dec. 18, 1942, this completing more than a quarter of a century of pastoral service.

Survivors include his wife, Maud, three children: Venora of Kohler, Charles of Lexington, Ky., and Lola of Madison; also four brothers and three sisters: William D. of Lone Rock, Mrs. Mattie Gordon of Madison, Mrs. George Carnham of Sextonville, Mrs. J.H. Wilson of Madison, Ervin I. of Elkhorn, Leslie of Mukowonago, and the Rev. Albert H. of Antioch, Ill.  One sister, Mrs. Walter shirk, preceded him in death.