Wilke, Elmer 1897-1971

HEIDEN, WILKE, EMBRETSON

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 4/26/2007 at 21:14:17

Elmer Wilke

Elmer Wilke, the son of Henry Wilke and Anna Heiden Wilke was born at St. Olaf, Ia. on Nov. 26, 1897 and was baptized on March 6, 1898 at Zion Lutheran Church, Clayton Center when the Rev. Seifert was pastor. He was confirmed at St. John's Lutheran in Farmersburg on April 9, 1911 when the Rev. Ernst Pett was pastor. He attended the elementary school at St. Olaf and Wisconsin Business College at LaCrosse, Wis.

He worked for his father in a general store at St. Olaf for 11 years before purchasing the business from his father in 1924. He continued in business at St. Olaf until 1944 when he sold the store. He started a grocery store in Monona in October of 1947 and continued active in business until ill health forced him to retire in 1960.

Elmer was united in marriage to Lenora Embretson at Norway Lutheran Church, St. Olaf, on May 19, 1926. Two sons were born, Warren in 1928 and Thomas in 1930.

While Mr. Wilke lived at St. Olaf he was an active member of Norway Lutheran Church. He served as a member of the school board and as mayor of St. Olaf. While living in Monona, he was active in the Commercial Club and Kiwanis and served on the town council. At St. Paul Lutheran in Monona he served on the church council and was active in the Lutheran brotherhood.

His health had been failing for the past ten years. He died at his home on Wed. morning, Jan. 6 (the day of Epiphany), at the age of 73 years, 1 month, and 10 days.

Mr. Wilke is survived by his wife, Lenora, two sons - Warren and Thomas, a brother Clarence in Kenosha, Wis. and a half-brother, Henry of Guttenberg and 5 grandchildren -- Ann, Susan, David, Steven, and Daniel.

Funeral services were held Fri., Jan. 8, 1971 at 2 p.m. at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church Monona, Iowa with Rev. R. E. Langholz and Rev. Fred F. Darnauer officiating.

Music was provided by soloist, Mrs. Roger Halvorson and congregational singing with Mrs. George Heins as organist.

Honorary pallbearers were Herbert Thoresen, G. F. Fox, H. T. Orr, Amos Hagensick, Elmer Kliefoth, Arthur Mohrman.

Active Pallbearers were Myron Lindroth, Harva Miller. Gary Embretson, Ivon J. Schultz, Burdette Wold, Vincent Marting.

Burial was in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Monona.

Postville Herald newspaper clipping from my mother's obituary collection. Submitter has no further information.