Henry Bokenkamp
Born: October 4th, 1862
Died: August 31st, 1940
Obituary
Henry Bokenkamp, 77, veteran building contractor, died of a heart attack late Saturday afternoon while taking a walk. He had left his home at 1214 Angular Street a few minutes before, and stopped on Summer Street, at Vine, where new homes are under construction, when he was stricken.
Mr. Bokenkamp had not been in good health for some time and suffered a broken back in a fall at his home about a year ago. Despite that injury, he was as active as possible and kept in contact with a number of his many friends who found him always congenial.
Mr. Bokenkamp was a native of Burlington, born here Oct. 4, 1862, a son of Dietrich and Fredericka (Fortman) Bokenkamp, and spent all of his life in this city. He was married in Burlington Feb. 8, 1877, to Ida C. Nelson.
He was a carpenter by trade, and it was but natural that he branch out into the contracting business where his work was recognized as thorough and efficient in every particular.
A number of the fine old residences of Burlington were constructed under his supervision, as were also other buildings. He built the St. Francis Hospital, the Medical Arts Building, and the Tama Building, among others.
He was employed by Nelson Morris Packing Company, Chicago, for about 15 years as a refrigeration specialist and he built cold storage plants throughout the United States. He also built jails for the Paule Jail company of St. Louis, Mo.
Mr. Bokenkamp, at the time of his death, was president of the Hawkeye Natives Society and an earnest and capable worker in the affairs of that organization, made up of natives of Iowa. He had held the office of years.
He also was a member of the local lodge of Elks, and when his health would permit was a regular visitor to the club rooms.
Surviving are his widow; two children, Howard R Bokenkamp of Oak Park, Ill., and Mrs. Ruth E Crow of Burlington; a sister, Mrs. AM Taeger of Burlington; three granddaughters, Jayne Bokenkamp of Iowa City; Mrs. SE Hazlet of Pullman, Wash., and Mrs. WG Jensen, Iowa City; one great-granddaughter, Ruth Ann Hazlet. One son, Marvin H. preceded him in death.
The body was taken to the residence, 1214 Angular Street, this afternoon from the Unterkircher funeral home and services will be held from the resident at 10 am on Wednesday. Burial in Aspen Grove Cemetery will be private.