Der Nordstern - Thursday, January 11, 1923, Pg. 2
Richmond news

Once more there is incumbent upon us to report the sad news of the death of a brave noble German man. It was during the last days of the old year that Joseph Willenbring, whom God has granted the unusually advanced age of 87 years, at the house of his son, Johann B. and his wife has spent a comfortable life with, after only a week illness, lay a tired head down to eternal slumber. The deceased was born in Oldenburg, Germany, from where he came as a 10 year old with his parents to this country. They settled first in New Vienna, Iowa. Had he only been granted a short amount of time to live he would have, with his wife, been able to celebrate his Diamond Jubilee. Later he moved to the state of Minnesota where he took a home place 4 miles west of the village of Richmond where at the place Paul Braegelman now lives. Shortly after the Civil War he moved with his family to the vicinity of Farming and held that place for many years until 2 years ago he made Richmond his home. With remarkable loyalty he filed all of his life work; to his wife he was a loyal companion, to his children, a provident father to whom through their love and dependence in his final years, they provided him with the best care.

He as a friend always fulfilled the duties of friendship. As a Catholic he always stood for righteousness and was hightly regarded for his advice in community affairs. He was a man of his word and as such performed much good in fulfilling his obligation. The aged wife survives him with the following children: Mrs. John Backes, Mrs. Jacob Fuchs and Heinrich Willenbring of Foxholm, North Dakota; Rev. Joseph Willenbring of Melrose, who at the death bed of their father, gave the final honors; Mrs. Joseph Backes of Farming, and John B. of Richmond. Along with these survived 58 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

On Wednesday morning, Rev. Willenbring celebrated the solemn requiem for the repose of the soul of his late father in St. Peter and Paul's church, with the assistance of Rev. John Herbes of Blofton, Iowa, nephew of the deceased, as deacon, and the Rev. Henekes of Rolling Stone, Minn., also a nephew of the deceased as sub deacon, and the Rev. Schollenberger of Roscoe as master of ceremonies. In the sanctuary were present; Rev. Augustine OSB of Farming, Rev. Father Meinrad OSB of Cold Spring, The Rev's Hoffmann of Waite Park, Kampmann of Sauk Rapids, Welcher of St. Augusta and the pastor Rev. Father Gregor, along with his assistant, Father Adalbert. After the ceremony the Rev. Father Augustine OSB delivered a short but impressive eulogy. So then the large procession wended it's way to the cemetery and under the chants of the priests and the prayers of the throung, the body of the good old father Willenbring, sunken in to the vault. The impressive obsequies were an indication that in the deceased, a highly respected man, a good philanthropist, is being brought to the grave for whom a good memory will be kept. May he rest in peace.
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The original obituary was written in German. I have a translated copy, so there may be some errors.