grave import

Obituary

Lydia J. Dankwardt, wealthy Burlington spinster whose public benefactions in recent years had come to more than a third of a million dollars, died Thursday at 5:30 a.m. Death came at Burlington hospital where she had been a patient since July 5. She was 84. Miss Dankwardt, although aged and infirm, had shown remarkable stamina on repeated occasions after becoming bedfast. She had been hospitalized several times in recent years. However, she speedily regained strength and became active around Hotel Burlington where she had an apartment for many years. She was a member of an early day family that was prominently identified with Burlington real estate development. Long a public figure, Miss Dankwardt was a wealthy woman who had the satisfaction of accumulating much of the wealth through her own efforts and her business sagacity. The extent of her estate has never been known publicly. her business affairs have been handled largely in recent years by Jack Dailey, lawyer, and Edward Walker, a financial consultant. At an earlier period her consultants included Glenn Cray. in a period of recent years, her public benefaction aggregated at least $360,000. Burlington hospital was the principal beneficiary, receiving $320,000 of this. Miss Dankwardt's first gift of consequence was in 1949 when funds were being solicited for Mercy and St. Francis hospitals. Her contribution to that effort was $10,000. A year larer Burlington hospital launched upon a financing campaign, contemplating the expenditure of a million dollars for capital improvements. Miss Dankwardt gave this its impetus by an outright gift of $100,000 on Feb. 1, 1950. A few months later she added $20,000 to this. Then on Dec. 28, 1951, she announced another $100,000 gift to Burlington hospital, following this on Dec. 8, 1953 with a third benefaction for $100,000, which she dedicated as a memorial to the late E. J. Wehman. "I can't think of a better place to put my money," she said on one occasion as she turned over a check for $100,000. "I have made my money in Burlington and I want to help Burlington with it." She began several years ago to close out her business interests. She said that as she advanced in years, she was desirous of disposing of much of her wealth while she was still alive and might share in the benefits the lavish gifts produced. At one time Miss Dankwardt owned many farms and other real estate in and around Burlington. She gradually disposed of these holdings and converted her estate chiefly into bonds. Amoung the Dankwardt real estate holdings was a virtually virgin tract of 74 1/2 acres, lying between Marin street and Madison avenue, south of the Cascade ravine. She gave this acreage to the city of Burlington in 1941 and it became the present Dankwardt park. This has become one of the city's beauty spots and show places, used by thousands every summer. Miss Dankwardt was proud of the park which memorialized her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Dankwardt. She had a costly granite portal erected on the Madison avenue side. Later the city added a stone gateway on Main street, and improved the park with surfaced drives, playgrounds and picnic facilities. In Dankwardt park is also a replica of the Statue of Liberty, the original of which stands in New York City's harbor on Bedloe's island. This replica was given by Miss Dankqardt for the Boy Scouts of Burlington. In addition to $330,000 given hospitals of the city, Miss Dankwardt, on Nov. 10, 1954, announced she would underwrite the complete cost of construction of a lodge at the Girl Scout camp five miles south of Danville. This gift approximated $30,800, it was announced at the time. The Girl Scouts have an 80-acre tract which is being developed as a permanent camping site. It is known as L-Kee-Ta and originated through the initial generosity of Burlington Lodge No 84 B.P.O. Elks, in 1946. Miss Dankwardt, a native of Burlington, was born in an old log house on what is now Sunnyside avenue. That section of Roosevelt avenue, connecting Sunnyside with Mount Pleasant street, was formerly known as Dankwardt's lane. Early-day maps identified it in that way. Her father, Theodore Dankwardt, was a native of Germany. He came with his parents and other members of the family to the United States in 1854. Theodore was then about 6 years old. The family settled at St. Louis. in young manhood, Theodore Dankwardt and four brothers migrated up the Mississippi, and settled at New Boston, Ill. Meanwhile, they became attracted to Burlington which was showing signs of developing into a substantial city. Theodore Dankwardt devoted most of his attention to real estate. He acquired many properties, including farm lands. After his daughter, Lydia, became old enough to be indoctrinated in business matters, the father taught her many basic business principles. She assisted him many years. After the father's death in 1932, Miss Dankwardt and one of her brothers, now deceased, carried on the real estate enterprises. These had grown rapidly in value and accrued still further worth under her tutelage. Miss Dankwardt lived sparingly, despite her ability to afford many extravagances if she had so desire. For several years she had made her home in a small apartment at Hotel Burlington. Her wants were few. She dressed modestly. She did not engage in many social activities, but always enjoyed having a few cronies around her on special occasions. While she was proud and happy to give generously to hospitals and other interests, she did so modestly. She always insisted that the same staff member of the Hawk-Eye Gazette write any stories of her activities. She frequently said to him, "Now don't blow me up too big I don't like a lot of flowery publicity." The newsman always found it difficult to get her to talk about herself or her family. On one occasion when she was giving $100,000 to Burlington hospital, she said to the two men whom she had called in, "I won't really miss this money. in fact, i had forgotten I had it. It was in bonds that had gotten mixed up with some of my other papers and I just ran onto them the other day. So I thought I would give the bonds to you for the hospital." "And that isn't all I've got", she added, "I still have plenty." Glen Cray, president of the Burlington hospital board expressed regret at the death of Miss Dankwardt. he pointed out that her gifts to hospitals reflected that "she was very interested in seeing that the people of the community have the finest hospital facilities. "The hospital did not solicit gifts from Miss Dankwardt. initially she came to us and offered her help so the hospital could become more progressive and modern. I feel that this showed her alertness to the needs of the community for better hospital service." Miss Dankwardt was born May 7, 1872, in Des Moines county, the daughter of Edward Theodore and Mary Miller Dankwardt. Her occupation was listed as that of business management. She was a member of First Congregational church. Surviving are a nephew, Russell C. Hartman, and a niece, Bessie I. Hartmann, both of Burlington, and several cousins. Her parents; a sister, Mrs. Clara C. Hartmann, and two, A. Theodore Dankwardt and Nathan e. Dankwardt, are dead. Services will be Sunday at 2 p.m. in Prugh's chapel. The Rev. Bruce Masselink will officiate. Burial will be in Aspen Grove cemetery.