Lautenbach, Paul – 1899-1939

LAUTENBACH, ULRICH, VERSTEEG, VARENKAMP

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 3/21/2026 at 14:56:19

Paul Lautenbach Died At Hospital Sunday Morning
Succumbed After Operation Performed at Mayo Clinic
Paul Lautenbach, postal clerk at the Pella post office and member of the public school board, died at the Mayo Hospital, Rochester, Minn., Sunday morning at 10:45 after an illness of about two weeks. He had submitted to an operation at the hospital and a tumor was found in his brain. Nothing could be done to save his life.
Paul left his work at the post office about two weeks before and remained at home with a minor ailment. This developed into an illness of a serious nature and he was taken to Des Moines. After remaining in that city a few days doctors diagnosed his case and recommended that he be taken to Rochester and he was taken there Monday almost a week before his death.
Could Not Recover
After the operation it was known that he could not get well and Sunday morning he passed away. Everything possible had been done to aid him to recovery but it could not be. The body was brought to Des Moines by rail and an ambulance brought it to Pella Monday morning.
Mr. Lautenbach was a respected citizen. He was a member of the school board and of the American legion Post. He was public spirited and was always willing to do his part in civic and welfare work. He was a very friendly gentleman and his friends were everyone who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. The community has sustained a great loss in his passing.
Facts of Mr. Lautenbach’s life may be found in the obituary column of this issue.
Source: Pella (IA) Chronicle; Thursday, November 9, 1939, page 1

Paul Lautenbach, the son of Charles Lautenbach and Katherine Ulrich Lautenbach, was born in Pella, August 21, 1899. He grew to manhood here receiving his education in the public schools, graduating from Pella high school. He passed away at the age of 40 years, 2 months and 11 days, Sunday, November 5th, at 10:30 o’clock. His death was due to malignant glioma or tumor on the brain. He had undergone an operation at the hospital but surgeons could do nothing to aid him.
He was married to Gertrude Varenkamp on Nov. 1, 1921 and they have made their home in Pella since. Two sons, Charles and Keith, were born to them.
He is survived by his wife, Gertrude Varenkamp Lautenbach, two sons, Charles and Keith, his father, Charles Lautenbach, of Pella, and by four brothers and one sister as follows: Casper, Robert and Fred of Pella: Lee Lautenbach of Des Moines and Mrs. Sophia Versteeg of Pella. His mother and one sister preceded him in death.
Paul was too young to serve in the regular forces of the army during the World War but enlisted in the S.A.T.C. at Central college and was honorably discharged. He was an active member of the Van Veen-Van Hemert Post of the American Legion since the Post was started. He joined the Baptist church in Pella when he was twenty-one years old and was missionary treasurer of the church at the time of his death. He was also a leader in the G-Men’s organization.
Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the Baptist church with Paul Christensen in charge. Interment was in Oakwood cemetery.
Source: The Pella (IA) Chronicle; Thursday, November 9, 1939, page 12