Johann Heinrich Becker

B: 7 October 1828 in , , Germany
D: 30 November 1891

Parents
Father: George Jackob Becker
Mother: Anna Katharina Schafer

Siblings
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Spouse
Philippina Frank
M: 5 September 1851

Children
1.) Catherine (Kate) Becker
2.) Philippina Becker
3.) Henry Mark Becker
4.) Ludwig Becker
5.) Amelia Becker
6.) Phillip Becker
7.) Karl Becker
8.) Frank Becker

Ficken Farm in Iowa

These are some of my favorite places on my Grandpa Ficken's farm in Iowa.  I always love going out there and getting to the property.  It is so peaceful to walk around the farm.  I love going and taking pictures.  I do it every time even though I already have pictures.  I wish I could visit out there more often, but unfortunately we are not able to go as often as I would like.

Obituary of Paul Wilmer Ficken

Paul Ficken, 92, of rural Melbourne, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, September 2, 2015, at Grandview Heights Nursing and Rehab Center in Marshalltown, Iowa.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 8, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John United Church of Christ in Melbourne with Pastor Judy Brandon officiating. Burial will be in the Melbourne Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday, September 7, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. Memorials may be directed to St. John United Church of Christ in Melbourne or to the International FOXG1 Foundation (www.foxg1.com), which provides research and support for persons diagnosed with FOXG1 Syndrome, a severe neurological condition affecting Paul’s great-granddaughter, Bronwyn. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Paul and his family. For condolences or questions, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or phone 641-844-1234.
Paul Wilmer Ficken was born on March 27, 1923, on a farm near Rhodes, Iowa. He was the son of Arthur and Bertha (Probst) Ficken and attended school in State Center. Paul served his country honorably in the United States Army from 1943 to 1946. He was a member of the 28th Airborne Tank Battalion with overseas duty in the Philippines. On September 4, 1946, Paul was united in marriage to Pearl Bollenbacher, daughter of Albert and Ida (Klatt) Bollenbacher, at St. John Evangelical and Reformed Church in Melbourne. Together they farmed southeast of Melbourne on land owned and farmed by her family since 1924.
Paul had been a member of St. John United Church of Christ since 1944 and was among those who helped build the present church, dedicated in 1952. He served on various church committees through the years, helping with the children’s after-school program until age 90. He was a member of the Melbourne 50-Plus Club. He worked as a volunteer in numerous settings, including Marshalltown Medical & Surgical Center, the Marshall County Emergency Food Box, and the Melbourne area Helping Hands program. In 2006, Paul received a Certificate of Recognition for his years of community service from Thomas J. Vilsack, Governor of Iowa. Paul also enjoyed spending time and traveling with his family.
Left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Judy Nanke of Marshalltown and Paula (John) Kyburz of Des Moines, and son Don (Christine) Ficken of Panaca, Nevada. Also, grandchildren Kristin (Adam) Haar of Johnston; Kimberly (Brian) Abels of Roland; Kenneth (Jody) Kyburz of Pleasant Grove, Utah; Jeremy Kyburz of Urbandale; James Ficken of St. George, Utah; Christy (Michael) Cheney of Cedar City, Utah; Michael (Megan) Ficken of St. George, Utah; Jennifer (Jared) Beasley of St. George, Utah; and Julie (Wil) Keller of LaVerkin, Utah. In addition, great-grandchildren, Bronwyn Haar; Madison and Mason Abels; Barbara, Courtney, Jason, Rachel, Alexander, and Matthew Cheney; Michael McCoy Ficken; and Emily Miller. Also, brothers Ervin (Anna) Ficken of Melbourne and Ralph (Wilma) Ficken of Newton; sister Dorothy Morris of Shellsburg; and sister-in-law Kathrene Ficken of Springfield, Missouri.
Paul was preceded in death by his wife Pearl in 1989, parents Arthur and Bertha Ficken, brothers Floyd and Earl Ficken, sisters Delores Carnes and Lavon Alexander, and son-in-law Robert Nanke.

The Ficken Family Farm in Iowa

This last summer our family was privileged to go back to my grandpa Ficken's Farm in Iowa.  I wanted my kids to be able to see it at least once while their Great Grandpa was still here.  I have been wanting to go back for years, but we could never manage to get back there.  This year we decided to do everything we could to make the trip.  The family farm has been in the family for years.  It belonged to my great grandparents Albert and Ida Bollenbacher.  It was then passed down to my grandma and grandpa Pearl and Paul Ficken.  I have always loved going back to Iowa every other summer when I was a kid.

 The farmhouse and summer kitchen.

 The backyard of the farmhouse.

 The garage.

 The pigpen and windmill.

The property across the street where my great grandparents lived.

Gesche Gerkin

B:
D:

Parents
Father: Gerkin
Mother:

Siblings

Spouse
Johann Ficke(n)

Children
1.) Gerhard Ficken
2.) Johann Ficken
3.) Carston D. Ficken
4.) Hinrich Ficken

Johann Ficke(n)

B:
D:

Parents
Father: Ficken
Mother:

Siblings

Spouse
Gesche Gerkin

Children
1.) Gerhard Ficken
2.) Johann Ficken
3.) Carston D. Ficken
4.) Hinrich Ficken

Lena Klingbeil

B: 8 July 1865 in Zollnitz, Pomerania, Germany
D: 14 January 1933 in Melbourne, Marshall, Iowa

Parents
Father: Christian Klingbeil
Mother: Wilhelmina

Siblings
1.) Albert Klingbeil
2.) August Klingbeil

Spouse
John W. Klatt
M: 28 October 1884

Children
1.) Minnie Charlotte Klatt
2.) Ida Anna Marie Klatt
3.) William Klatt

John W. Klatt

B: 28 March 1862
D: 31 December 1899

Parents
Father: John Klatt
Mother: Charlotte Kunde

Siblings
1.) Charles Klatt
2.) August Klatt
3.) Female Klatt
4.) Clara Klatt

Spouse
Lena Klingbeil
M: 28 October 1884

Children
1.) Minnie Charlotte Klatt
2.) Ida Anna Marie Klatt
3.) William Klatt

Catherine "Kate" Becker

B: 19 February 1853 in Canton, Stark, Ohio
D: 5 March 1920 in Melbourne, Marshall, Iowa

Parents
Father: John Henry Becker
Mother: Phillipina Frank

Siblings

Spouse
Jacob Bollenbacher
M: 11 April 1871 in Canton, Stark, Ohio

Children
1.) John Jacob Bollenbacher
2.) Amelia Bollenbacher
3.) Clara Bollenbacher
4.) Walter Henry Bollenbacher
5.) Emma Lydia Bollenbacher
6.) Albert Lewis Bollenbacher
7.) Paul Arthur Bollenbacher

Jacob Bollenbacher

B: 25 July 1847 in Prussia, Germany
D: 17 November 1893 in George, Lyon, Iowa

Parents:
Father:
Mother:

Siblings:

Spouse:
Catherine "Kate" Becker
M: 11 April 1871 in Canton, Stark, Utah

Children:
1.) John Jacob Bollenbacher
2.) Amelia Bollenbacher
3.) Clara Bollenbacher
4.) Walter Henry Bollenbacher
5.) Emma Lydia Bollenbacher
6.) Albert Lewis Bollenbacher
7.) Paul Arthur Bollenbacher

Caroline "Lena" Bohnsack

B: 2 April 1866
D:

Parents
Father:
Mother:

Siblings

Spouse
William Probst Sr.
M:

Children
1.) Bertha Sophia Wilhelmina Probst

William Probst Sr.

B: 25 February 1855
D:

Parents
Father:
Mother:

Siblings

Spouse
Caroline "Lena" Bohnsack
M:

Children
1.) Bertha Sophia Wilhelmina Probst