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| Fred Schoenewald and Effie Semmens |
Fred Schoenewald is the little brother of my Grandfather, Johann (John) Herman.
Fred W. Schoenewald was the 6th and youngest child in Adam and Otillie’s household born on 17 November 1910 in Sibley County, Minnesota and named Frederick William Schoenewald. By the 1920 census, Fred was living in Bonner County, Idaho in Sandpoint Township with his parents, Adam and Otillie Schoenewald. This corresponds with the movement of his parents in 1913 from Sibley County to Idaho to join Otillie’s parents, John and Mary Kujawski. Both his older brothers, Tim and Carl, had already left home by 1920 and Fred’s brother, John, was working as a farmer presumably on the family farm while Fred and his two sisters, Ida and Emma, were still in school.
In 1929, the worst economic downturn in history called The Great Depression struck many families, lasting until 1939. The agricultural sector struggled due to falling food prices and farmers couldn’t afford to harvest their crops. They were forced to leave them rotting in the fields. How this affected the Schoenewald family is something that needs further research. However, it must have affected Fred’s decision whether to be a farmer like the generations before him or find another occupation. By 1930 Fred’s father, Adam, was still listed as a farmer owning his own farm with Fred at the age of 20, the only child still living at home, stating he was in school. This could mean Fred was going to college or still in high school, which was common in those days if children had to help out on the farm during harvest seasons. Five years later in 1935, Fred was still living in Sandpoint.
World War II began in Europe on September 1, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland.
By 1940, Fred had moved to Emander, Snohomish County in the state of Washington. Fred’s household consisted of Edyth, listed as his wife with several nieces and nephews living with them. Fred’s occupation was a Sewing Machine Salesman and Edyth was a Waitress in a Restaurant. Fred was renting his resident in Emander, Washington. What brought Fred to Washington? Why did the household consist of several nieces and nephews living with them?
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed The Selective Service Act in September of 1940 requiring men ages 21 to 36 to register with local draft boards in anticipation of possible conscription. Fred’s age fell in this age group and he filled out his Military Draft Card on 16 October 1940. Fred’s address at this time was in Everett Washington. Emander was a suburb of Everett. Fred was listed as 5’ 11 ½ ‘’ tall, weighing 173 lbs., dark complexion, brown eyes and hair. He was working for the Singer Sewing Machine, Company in Everett.
On the 7th of December, 1941, Japanese planes attacked the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Territory. The United States was at War.
Fred joined the Army on 2 June 1942 in Tacoma Washington as a single man without any dependents at the age of 32.
On the 16th of June in 1942 Fred and Edyth decided to officially get married by the Justice of the Peace in Seattle Washington. Edyth was the daughter of Alla and Purnel Richards of Great Falls, Montana. She was also born in 1910.
Finally, on the 7th of December 1945, Fred was released from the Military. His father had passed away in November of that year.
Fred and Edyth got divorced sometime before 1948. They had no children that we know of.
On the 29th of May, 1948, Fred married Effie E. Tidd (surname Semmens) in Montana. Fred was living in Bozeman, Montana at the time. They had a courthouse wedding, married by the Justice of the Peace. Effie’s sister was one of the witnesses.
Fred and Effie moved to Spokane Washington sometime around 1951. In 1954 Fred listed his occupation as a Salesman for Marshall-Wells. They were living at E 226 Hartson Ave. in Spokane Washington. His mother only lived about 70 miles away in Sandpoint, Idaho where she passed away in August of 1954.
1959 found Fred dealing with the death of his wife, Effie. She had Colon Cancer and died at the age of 54 on 26 September 1959. She died at home and is buried at the Riverside Park Cemetery in Spokane, Washington. Fred Schoenewald was the informant living at 226 E. Hartson. Her parents were listed as Edmund J. Semmens and Fannie Pender.
Fred continued his employment in the sales industry, retiring in 1972 from Jensen-Byrd Company in Spokane Washington as a Sales Director. Fred was a past governor of Spokane Moose Lodge 161 and a member of Fellowship Degree and Traehesoom Legion of the Moose. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 9.
During this timeframe, Fred married Edna L. (no surname given) as she was listed as his wife on his obituary.
Fred was 77 when he passed away on the 31st of August, 1988 at the St. Luke’s Memorial Hospital in Spokane Washington. They had his service at the Hazen & Jaeger Funeral Home on 3 September 1988. Survivors include his wife, Edna L; one daughter, Judy Hoxsey of Everett; three sons, Jack Fiskness of Palm Springs, Calif.; Wayne Fiskness of Yakima and Bruce Fiskness of Vancouver, Wash.; two sisters; 12 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
Listed below are some additional questions surrounding the above information:
What brought Fred to Washington?
Why did the household consist of several nieces and nephews living with them in 1940?
Why was Fred living in Montana then moved to Washington?
What happened in Fred's life between 1959 and 1972 when he retired?
Who is the wife, Edna L, listed on his Obituary?
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