Oelke, Henry Sr. 1844 - 1932

OELKE, HEESCH, SPLIES, SCHOELLERMAN

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/5/2021 at 20:31:25

Clayton County Register, Thur., 21 July 1932.

Henry Oelke, Sr., died at his home in Farmersburg, Saturday, July 16th, 1932, of apoplexy at the age of 87 years, ten months and six days.

He was born September 10, 1844, in Germany, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Oelke, Sr. He received his education in the rural schools of Farmersburg township. Oct. 18, 1867, he was married to Elsabea Heesch in Garnavillo by the Rev. Mr. Rentsch. To this union six children were born, namely: Chris, Henry Jr., Edward, Fred, Arnold and Katherine, but three of these, together with Mrs. Oelke, preceded him in death. The surviving children are: Chris. of Mendota, Wis., Henry Jr., and Arnold of Farmersburg. He is also survived by one brother, Wm. H. Oelke of Farmersburg and a sister Bertha Splies of Luana.

Mr. Oelke lived for a time also in Garnavillo but in September 1887, he came to Farmersburg where he owned and operated a general merchandise store for many years and where he built for himself a large circle of friends.

Funeral services were held in the Lutheran church in Farmersburg Monday afternoon and interment was made in the cemetery in Garnavillo, the Rev. H. M. Adix officiating. Relatives from a distance who attended the services were: F. W. Schoellerman, a brother-in-law of Lake Park, Iowa, Mrs. Amelia Oelke, a sister-in-law of Audubon, Iowa, and Bodo L. Oelke, a nephew of Fort Dodge.