HENRY FREDERICK GRELCK

1898 - 1987
CPL US ARMY

Departure December 12, 1917at Hoboken, New Jersey on the Susquehanna (ID 3016)
Rank Corporal
Unit 11th San Francisco (CAC) Anti-Aircraft Battalion
Departure February 20, 1919 at Brest, France on the U.S.S. Ohio (BB-12)
Unit 24th Anti-Aircraft Battery, 1st Anti- Aircraft Sector, Coast Artillery Corps
Rank Corporal
Service Number 153554

Henry graduated with the Manning High School class of 1917.
He married Blanch Hays.

 

Henry Grelck, son of Mrs. Maggie Grelck, was born in Manning and started the Manning schools when 7 years of age. From the first day he started to the day he left his class to join the U.S. army he was a faithful and hard working student.

Being the possessor of a bright mind, he had the honor of receiving the highest grade for four years high school work. Not only did he excell in bookwork, but in athletics, and it is doubtful if the Manning schools ever graduated a more promising athlete.

As soon as the war is over he will enter some University and take a medical course. Future years will bear out the truth of the prophesy of his friends that he will become a man of note outside of his own state.
Manning Monitor 1917

Manning Auxiliary Planning Annual Poppy Day Sales
The regular meeting of the American Legion Auxiliary was held in the Legion Hall Tuesday night. Claribel Bingham, child welfare chairman, reported on clothing sent to the units assigned child. Isabelle (Mrs. Arthur F.) Smith reported that 20 pounds of carpet rags had been sent to Knoxville for the veterans to weave into rugs. Twelve pounds had been given by Mrs. Henry Ewoldt, who is not an auxiliary member, five pounds were sewed and rolled by Mrs. Maggie Grelck.
The unit will hold a spring rummage sale June 5, 1943, beginning at 1 o'clock.
Arrangements were made for conducting the annual poppy sale, May 29, 1943, the Saturday before Memorial Day. The Junior organization will assist in the sale. Lucinda (Mrs. Lawrence J.) Nickum and Mrs. A.F. Smith will decorate the poppy window on Main Street.
The auxiliary will meet at the Arthur F. Smith home Wednesday.
Carroll Daily Times Herald, May 18, 1943

Funeral services for Henry Frederick Grelck were held Tuesday, March 17, 1987, at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Manning. Pastor Randy Ross officiated the service with Judy Joens as soloist and Connie Siepker, organist.
Interment was in Manning City Cemetery with Linus Heithoff, Lyle Arp, Eddie Fischer, Duane Otto, Ronnie Hiatt, and Amos Lohmeier serving as casketbearers. Honorary casketbearers were Ed Steen, Glenn Huffman, Clifford Johnson, and Charles Nissen. Military honors were conducted by Emil Ewoldt Post 22 of the American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3517; Manning, Iowa.
Henry Frederick Grelck, the son of John and Margaret Grube Grelck, was born September 16, 1898 in Manning.
He attended Manning Community Schools and was a member of the Manning High School's graduating class of 1917.

Before graduation, he and several young men from Manning had enlisted and were already serving with the U.S. Army in France. He served in one of the first anti-aircraft battalions in history. Upon his return from active duty in World War I, he attended the University of Iowa and distinguished himself as the best quarter-miler of the year while there.

He also ran for the Manning Fire Department Hose-cart Team and helped them to retain the State Championship Traveling Trophy.
Henry married Blanche Hays on June 10, 1921 in Iowa City.
Their only child, Betty Jane, was born September 26, 1922. Henry lived all his life at 206 Center Street except when the building trade took him elsewhere. He was a carpenter by trade, and made, with the assistance of Heinz Brandt, all the chancel furniture at the First Presbyterian Church in Manning. He served on the Manning Town Council and Manning Fire Department for many years. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Manning and was a charter member and past commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3517.

Henry was an avid sportsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, camping and bowling. He appreciated nature and found enjoyment in birdwatching in amateur meteorolgy and in just watching things grow.
Henry had been in failing health and entered the Veterans Administration Hospital a year ago for treatment. He had been a resident of the Manning Plaza Nursing Home since last November. He died there on Saturday, March 14, 1987 at the age of 88 years, 5 months and 26 days.
He was preceded in death by his parents, by his father in 1913 and by his mother in 1951; by his only sister, Ida, who died as a result of the Kuhl and Vogt explosion in 1921; by his wife, Blanche, on September 8, 1973; and by his daughter, Betty, on November 3, 1986.
Henry is survived by his grandchildren: Sharon and her husband, Thomas MacDonald-Williams, of Manning; Jon Grimm, Debbie and Jason Harvey, of Manning; and Sue Grimm, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and also by many friends and neighbors.

Henry Grelck is buried in the Manning Cemetery.
Section B Row #38 south - north.