KOEPKE, Frederick J. 1855-1927

KOEPKE, PROESCHOLD, BERTRAM, VENTER, SNEBLEY

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 1/29/2013 at 01:51:21

[Waterloo Evening Courier, Monday, January 10, 1927, Waterloo, Iowa]

Frederick J. Koepke, a resident of Waterloo since 1874, one of the founders of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran church and father of Ernest W. Koepke, clerk of the municipal court, died at 3:50 p.m. yesterday at his home, 233 Maple Street, after a lingering illness. He had been confined to his bed since last September. He was past 72 years of age.

For the last 15 years Mr. Koepke was in the insurance and real estate business, with offices in Marsh-Place building. Previous to that time he conducted a dairy for 10 years and before that for a time he was a traveling representative of the Waterloo Gasoline Engine company. On coming to Waterloo in 1874 he began a machinist apprenticeship at the Illinois Central shops and was employed there for 18 years. He joined the volunteer fire department soon after coming to the city and served in the capacity for several years.

In 1879, with seven other members of the Lutheran faith, Mr. Koepke helped to organize Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran church, of which he was an earnest supporter, and a deacon for several years.

Born Oct. 17, 1855, in Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany. Mr. Keopke in 1872, at the age of 17, came with his father to America. They settled in Bremer county.

Mr. Koepke was married in 1883 at Fort Dodge to Mary Proeschold, who survives with the following children: Rev. H.C., State Center; Mrs. E. O. Bertram, Fort Wayne, Ind.; C.E., Carroll, Ia.; L.G., Minneapolis; H.E., medical student at the University of Iowa; Ernest W., Alma E., and Helene H. at home. Fifteen grandchildren survive; also a brother, Henry, Glendale, Cal., and two sisters, Mrs. C. Venter, Waterloo, and Mrs. C. Snebley, Elensburg, Wash.

Mr. Koepke's personal characteristics of gentleness, kindness and charitable impulses won him many friends.

Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran church, preceded by a prayer service at the home at 2:30. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Six nephews of the deceased will net as pallbearers.

The family requests that no floral offerings be sent.

The body was removed to the Hileman & Gindt mortuary.