June 15, 1905, William Ohde and his brother Jacob Ohde formed a partnership and started the firm known as Ohde Brothers, located at 320 Main in Manning. This firm engaged in the furniture business and funeral directing. About a year later, George Ohde took over the interest of his brother Jacob. The partners continued in the furniture business and funeral directing until the death of George May 31, 1929. William Ohde continued to operate the business upon the death of his brother. In 1927, he purchased the funeral division of Henry Mueller.

In 1931, William built the present funeral home at 108 First Street whre he and his wife Frances lived and worked to make it one of the most attractive and best equipped homes in this part of the state. An annual attraction is the Christmas season lighting program which has attracted visitors from far and near. This tradition was interrupted only two times -- during World War I I and during the energy crisis of 1974.

Roy Sander, son-in-law of George Ohde, worked in the firm as a licensed funeral director for many years. In 1938, William F. Ohde joined his father as a licensed funeral director and embalmer, along with Leonard Greteman of Templeton.

Due to an ever expanding business the furniture store was sold to Charles Bennett in 1951, so that more time could be devoted to serving the people of Manning and surrounding communities with the best of funeral service. Following the sale of the furniture store, William and his son, William F., formed a partnership which lasted until the death of William Ohde in 1969.

In 1971 a third generation Ohde, William G., joined the firm as a licensed funeral director and embalmer and, along with his father, incorporated the firm in 1971. During the 1960's and 1970's the firm expanded and established funeral homes in Manilla, Coon Rapids and Bayard. During this period the home in Manning was extensively remodeled. Recently, a daughter of William F., Ruth O. Niemann, joined the firm, making three licensed funeral directors available to the area served by the Ohde Funeral Homes.

It should also be noted that the Ohde Funeral Home provided ambulance service to Manning and surrounding rural areas until 1974, when the county took over that responsibility.