JOHN LUETJE KOHRS

JOHN LUETJE KOHRS

1872-1954

Born: 26 June 1872, Davenport, Iowa - Died: 28 June 1954, Davenport, Iowa

JOHN LUETJE KOHRS married HULDA SCHMIDT November 18, 1896, daughter of KARL SCHMIDT and SOPHIE MOELLER. John Kohrs was the first child born to Henry and Johanna (Lohmann) Kohrs after their move to 1343 West Second. John, as a youth, helped his father in the "meat business" and later became a partner in the Kohrs Packing Company. He was a tall man, about six foot two, with dark hair and eyes. After their marriage they lived in the "compound" at 1349 West Second in Davenport. In 1908, John and Hulda built a home on Clay Street, overlooking the city of Davenport, Iowa. It was several years before father Henry came to visit his son and family, but seeing the beautiful view, he conceded that John had made the right move. John continued with the Kohrs Packing Company for many years, and after it was sold to the Oscar Mayer Company, he was a partner in the Kohrs Cold Storage Company. He died suddenly from heat exhaustion on 28 June 1954 in Davenport, Iowa. Hulda survived her husband and died on February 1, 1969. Both are entombed at Fairmont Mausoleum in Davenport. 1 
Funeral services were held in the Runge Chapel for John L. Kohrs, 81 former president of the Kohrs Packing Co., Davenport, who died in Mercy hospital after a short illness. The Very Reverend Russell Johnston officiated. Entombment was at the Fairmount Mausoleum. The family requested flowers be omitted and contributions given to the Visiting Nurses Association or any other charity. Mr. Kohrs, who lived at 1519 Clay Street, was president of the Kohrs firm until it was sold to Oscar Mayer and Company. He was a partner in the Kohrs Cold Storage Company. He had retired from active employment several years prior to his death. Mr. Kohrs was a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge, the Davenport Outing Club, Central Turners, Modern Woodmen of America and the Unitarian Church. 2

Children born to John Luetje Kohrs and Hulda (nee Schmidt) Kohrs:

HAROLD KOHRS (1898-1955)
EDWARD FRANK KOHRS (1900-)
HELEN KOHRS (1903-2000)
MARTHA ELFRIDA KOHRS (1912-2007)


References

1. The ancestors and descendants of the Bettendorf-Kohrs and related families : a memorial to William Edwin Bettendorf, 1902-1979 by Darlene Ward Paxton; L T Sloane. Decorah, Iowa : Anundsen Pub. Co., 1984.

2. The Davenport Democrat, 29 June 1954 (Obituary - page 6)