Luepker, John Frederick 1845 - 1927

LUEPKER, SELFUHMACHER, FUELLING, KAHLE, GILSTER

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/5/2021 at 20:31:23

Clayton County Register, Thur., 06 Oct. 1927. Evidently taken from the North Iowa Times, undated.

John Frederick Luepker was born on December 26, 1845, at Bohmte, Amt Witlage, Landdorfstel Osnabrueck, Hanover, Germany, as the son of John Frederick Luepker, Sr., and his wife Anna Marie, nee Selfuhmacher. He was baptized and confirmed at the neighboring church at Arnshorst by the Rev. Frank, but attended school in his own village. His father was a renter and our departed brother assisted him in tilling the farm. He was occupied thus also after his marriage, which took place on January 24, 1867, to Miss Maria Fuelling of his home town. After staying on the parental homestead for another four years the young couple came to America in 1871 and settled down on a farm 2 1/2 miles north of Garnavillo. Their affairs prospered on this farm so that after five years they decided to return to Germany and purchased a farm back there with their savings. Ill health of Mr. Luepker also caused their return to Germany. However his health did not improve there, and since they found that economic conditions in Germany were not very encouraging, they decided to return to America, after but a brief stay of a little more than a month. For a year Mr. Luepker assisted on the Louis Meyer farm north of Garnavillo and then rented a farm near Monona. After another year he bought a farm 2 miles east of Farmersburg and lived on it for 18 years. Thereupon he moved to the present place which has been his home ever since, for over thirty years. His wife died on Sept. 12, 1906. After that he shared his home with his children John and Minnie who faithfully took care of him. Mr. Luepker was always in good physical condition, aside of an ailment of rheumatism which troubled him more or less thruout his life. But a cold induced by the sudden change in temperature last week caused him to fail rapidly, altho he rallied again and was able to up even on Thursday morning. He prepared himself for eternity by partaking of Holy Communion on Sunday p.m, and the end came early on Thursday at 8:00 p.m. He had attained an age of 81 years, eight months and 26 days.

He is mourned by seven children: Mrs. Louia Kahle and Louis of Fulda, Minn.; Ernest of Brainerd, Minn.: Mrs. Mary Gilster of Waldorf, Minn.; and John, Fred and Minnie of Farmersburg. Two children died in infancy in Germany, and two, Anna and William preceded him in death on May 17, 1920, and December 30, 1925, respectively. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Mr. Luepker was a faithful worker and conscientiously discharged all obligations placed upon him as a parent and friend, enjoying the respect and esteem of all. He was a faithful member of St. Peter's church at National since its organization in 1889. May he rest in peace.

A short service was held at the home and a large gathering of old friends came to pay their last respects to a kind father, and a most excellent neighbor. Services were held at the National church and burial in the cemetery there. In death he wore the peaceful look that was his heritage through life, and rested like one who draws the drapery of his couch about him, and lies down to pleasant dreams. - North Iowa times.