Splies, Fred 1850 - 1926

SPLIES, OELKE, SCHULTZ

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/5/2021 at 20:31:24

Elkader Register, Thur., 16 Sept. 1926.

Mr. Fred Splies was born in Garnavillo township on the fourth of December 1850. His Christian parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Splies brought him to holy baptism, so that he might be transferred into the kingdom of the Lord. When he had received the necessary instruction in the principal doctrines of the Christian faith he was then confirmed in the Ev. Lutheran church at Ceres by the Rev. Paul Stockfild on the first of April 1866. On the 9th of February 1876 he was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Oelke and they settled on a farm near National. There they lived 23 years. In September 1900 they came to Luana. Here he was engaged in the merchandise business with his son William for 13 years. Since then he has lived a retired life here at Luana. During the many years of his sojourn on earth our departed brother was priviliged to enjoy fair health until last January when leakage of the heart began to cause him much trouble. There were times when he seemed to repair, only to be followed by another severe attack. Since the medical profession knows of no remedy to be used against leakage of the heart it was useless to seek such medical aid. So the departed knew that his days were limited and as a Christian he knew that the Lord had ordained it so. He made all arrangements for his funeral and himself prepared a part of this obituary. The Lord took him out of this vale of sorrow on Thursday evening, Sept. 9. His pilgrimage lasted 75 years, nine months and five days. He is mourned by his bereaved widow, one daughter, Mrs. Henry Schultz of Luana and one son, William of Luana. One daughter, Charlotte, preceded the father in death, on the ninth of March 1913. He is also survived by one grandchild, Jeanette Schultz; two brothers, John of Monona and William of Garnavillo township; three sisters, Carrie of Garnavillo, Louisa and Amelia of Posville;

The funeral was held on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 12th, from the family residence to St. John's Lutheran church at Luana, at 2 o'clock. Interment took place in the Luana cemetery, Rev. H. P. Kumpf officiating.