Oelke, Elisabeth Dorothe (Heesch) 1849 - 1922

OELKE, HEESCH, SCHOELERMAN

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 6/13/2020 at 13:39:28

Elkader Register, Thur., 16 Mar. 1922. Farmersburg column.

In the early morning hours of last Monday another of our old and well liked and beloved friends passed away. Mrs. Henry Oelke, Sr., nee Elisabeth Dorothe Heesch, was born in Danemark (Prov. Holstein) on Sept. 3, 1849. Received into the church of her Saviour by baptism on Oct. 1, 1849, at Glewe. She came to the United States with her parents in 1854, settling in Clayton Co., Iowa. She was married to Henry Oelke on the 17th day of October, 1867, in Garnavillo by Rev. Rensch. They lived for 7 years on a farm in Farmersburg township and moved then to Garnavillo where they resided for 13 years. The 24th of Sept. 1887, they came to Farmersburg where they lived ever since. Their married life was blessed with 6 children, 4 of them are surviving the mother. One baby of 4 months died in Garnavillo, and the daughter, Katherina Elisabeth died Apr. 29, 1911. The others are Christ, of Mendora, Wis.; Henry, Edward and Arno, all of Farmersburg.

On the 17th of Oct., 1917, she celebrated in the midst of all her children and her friends the festival of the golden wedding. From that time she was ailing, a slow paralysis came over her and finally she became an invalid. She was released from her suffering at 2:20 a.m. Monday, the 13th, after a pilgrimage of 72 years, 6 months and 10 days. She leaves aside of the husband and children, one brother, Fr. Schoelerman, of Lake Park, Iowa, 16 grandchildren and 4 great=grandchildren. The funeral services were held from the home to the Luth. Church at Farmersburg, Rev. Dr. G. F. Braun officiating, then to Garnavillo Luth. Church, and interment at the beautiful Garnavillo cemetery, Rev. K. W. Braun officiating.

Mrs. Oelke was one of those rare characters that combined in her life a strong sense of duty, with a sweet motherly spirit of love and devotion. She was not only the hard worker on the side of her husband, but she was interested in most everything, first of all being a tower of strength to her church. She loved everybody and her house was all the time the meeting point of her friends. She lived a good and simple life in the service of all - that's Christianity.