Uecker, August 1853 - 1930

UECKER, WITT, BECKER, MATT, CHASE, FULLER, ALLEN

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 2/8/2016 at 14:54:59

Clayton County Register, Thur., 9 Oct. 1930.

August Uecker, for more than 50 years an esteemed resident and well known businessman of Elkader, passed away at the Iowa City hospital, just about noon hour, Friday, October 3, 1930, at the age of 77 years, five months and five days.

The subject of this sketch, August Uecker, was born in Kries Anklam, Germany, April 28, 1853. As a young man of 18 years he emigrated to this country and worked at his trade, as tailor, in Dunkirk, N.Y., for about five years. Then he journeyed westward and came to Elkader, Iowa. On October 7, 1877, he was united in marriage to Miss Wilhelmina Witt at Clayton Center. The young couple went to Dunkirk, N.Y., where Mr. Uecker worked for his former employer for another year, then returning to Elkader, which remained to be the home of the family ever since. The couple was blessed with nine children, of which three preceded their father in death: Frieda, a girl of 13 year, died in 1895; Herman, the oldest of the children, met a tragic death when on June 14, 1919, he was killed by bank robbers while tending to his duties in a bank in Gary, Ind.; and Lawrence, a young man of 31 years, passed away after an operation on June 13, 1927. Thus the family was frequently taken through the deep valley of sorrow and affliction. For a number of years Mr. Uecker was ailing from a complication of diseases and on July 26, 1926, he submitted to an operation, from which he never quite rallied. For over four years he was more or less confined to his home and bed, at all times receiving the tender care of the loved ones, and the special unceasing attention of his faithful wife, who was ever at his side, ministering to his various wants. Realizing the seriousness of his condition and hoping that perhaps something could be done elsewhere for the patient, he was taken to the Iowa City hospital on August 22nd, and there submitted to another operation on August 27th, after which he lingered between life and death until the noon hour of October 3rd, when the final summons came, as a relief from years of constant suffering.

The departure of a loving husband and father is mourned by the faithful wife and life's companion of 53 years, and the following children: Mrs. Herman Becker, of Gary, Ind.; Mrs. Henry Matt of St. Olaf; Mrs. Fred Chase of Hillsboro, Ore.; Mrs. Ray Fuller of Elkader; Mrs. Zina Allen of Gridley, Kansas; and Milton, at home.

He also leaves eleven grandchildren, other relatives and many old time friends and neighbors.

He was known and respected as a reliable business man and also served on the Elkader school board for a number of years.

The most heartfelt sympathy of the community is extended to the family in their bereavement.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 1:30 at the late home and 2:00 in the Evangelical church, the Rev. C. H. Franke officiating. Interment was made in the East Side cemetery.