Koser’s Bakery

ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin

Koser’s Bakery

109-111 S. Second

1908 The undersigned physicians wish to state that the Koser Bakery on Second Street has been thoroughly fumigated and put in a cleanly and healthy condition and assure the public that there is no danger from any contagion owing to the recent quarantine. The public can be assured that there is not the slightest danger of any contagion and that when the bakery opens on next Tuesday the public need have no fear of withholding the patronage accorded this business place previously.

C. R. Feld

Health Commissioner.

Dr. T. F. Shinnick

In this connection, I wish to return my thanks to the physicians for their care and treatment at my place and to also emphatically deny the statement circulated that I intended to institute suit against the city or others owing to the quarantine at my place. Nothing was further from my thoughts and I can only add that I have been treated fairly and manly in the matter.

F. J. Koser 04 04

1931 Miss Florence Koser, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Koser of Koser’s bakery of this city, has purchased the Model bakery at Beaver Dam of S. H. Collingsworth. She will make many fine improvements in the plant, and give the people of that city up-to-date service. She has been employed for a number of years in the bakery of her parents in this city, and knows the bakery business thoroughly. Four members of the Koser family now are proprietors of first-class bakeries, F. J. Koser in Watertown, Alex Koser at Neenah, Mark Koser at Fort Atkinson and Miss Florence Koser at Beaver Dam. 03 05

1934

11 05 Mrs. F. J. Koser Dies Today of Heart Ailment

Widely Known Woman Expires

At Hospital This Forenoon;

Funeral on Thursday

Mrs. F. J. Koser, one of Watertown's most widely known women residents and long identified in the bakery business here, died at St. Mary's Hospital at 10:30 o'clock this forenoon. She had long been suffering with a heart ailment and entered the hospital Friday after her condition had been critical for some time.

Born in Jefferson 68 years ago, her maiden name was Catherine Spangler. She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Spangler. Forty-seven years ago she married Mr. Koser and for a time they lived on a farm near Sun Prairie. Then they moved to Minnesota and later returned to Wisconsin. For the last 38 years they lived in Watertown, having taken over a bakery establishment here [assumed to be that of Charles Herger].

Surviving are her husband and seven children, Mrs. A. Brechtl of West Allis, Mrs. Ben Neumann and Miss Florence Koser of this city, Mrs. Mike Heilmeier of Fort Atkinson, Albert Koser of Neenah, and Leo and Mark Koser of this city. There are ten grandchildren. Two sisters and four brothers also survive, Mrs. Anna Miller of Beloit, Mrs. Hubert Krusing of West Allis, Andrew Spangler of West Allis, Peter and Lawrence Spangler of Jefferson and Arthur Spangler of Beaver Dam. Three children preceded their mother in death, Miss Agnes Koser and Arthur and Clarence Koser.

Mrs. Koser played a prominent part in developing the bakery establishment which she and her husband operated for many years, starting in a small way, until it became one of the foremost businesses of its kind in this section, serving not only Watertown but surrounding communities as well.

Mrs. Koser had a talent for business and the home and could divide her time between the two with equal ease and ability.

It is no exaggeration to say that she was one of the city's most beloved women, a woman who had friends in every walk of life and acts of charity and kindness endeared her to countless numbers of people. Her death removes a woman who will be missed in the community and news of her passing came, as a shock to people throughout the city today.

She was a member of St. Henry's Catholic Church, the American Legion auxiliary and the Christian Mother's Society.

The body was taken to the James W. Boyle chapel and will be returned to the home, 111 Second Street, tomorrow. The funeral will be held from there Thursday morning with services in St. Henry's Catholic Church at 9:30 o'clock. A solemn high mass will be sung by the Rev. Dean F. X- Schwinn. Burial will be in St. Henry's Cemetery. WDT

1962

01 05 Koser’s Bakery, 111 South Second Street, has closed its doors and the last owner and operator, Ernst Stellbrink, has gone out of business. The bakery, one of the oldest and most widely known of its kind, was founded by the late Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Koser, who operated it for many years. Both died here. It was taken over by the family and the last family owner and operator, Miss Florence Koser, sold the business to Mr. Stellbrink who came here from Marshfield and has operated it for the past 12 years, continuing the fine quality baked goods for which it was known. Equipment in the bakery has been purchased by Pagel’s Bakery of 114 West Main Street. WDT

1981 Mary Engelhart [1887-1981]. Was employed at Koser's Bakery for 45 years.

2009 Rose M. Christian, 70, of Watertown, passed away Nov. 18, 2009, at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison. Funeral services were at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Watertown. Burial in Ixonia Lutheran Cemetery. The former Rose Marie Kohls was born on May 14, 1939, in Watertown, daughter of George and Katherine (Kaiser) Kohls. On Nov. 10, 1956, she married Willard E. Christian at St. John's Lutheran Church in Watertown. Rose graduated from St. John's Lutheran Grade School and attended Watertown Senior High School. She worked as a clerk at Koser Bakery and as a waitress at the Beaver Hotel Dining Room in Beaver Dam. Rose and her husband moved to Milwaukee where she worked at Johnson Cookie Factory.