Wilke, Ludwig 'Louis' Christian Friedrich 1858 - 1923

WILKE, BLUME, BERSE, STORBECK, MEENAN, BECK

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 1/14/2022 at 19:57:03

Elkader Register, Thur., 20 Dec. 1923.

A sad accident occurred on the Louis Wilke farm near Communia last Friday shortly after noon, which resulted in the tragic death of Mr. Wilke. Mr. Wilke was returning with a load of corn from Motor and while driving in the yard going down an incline the neck-yoke on the wagon broke, the wagon upset and Mr. Wilke was thrown to the ground. Mr. Wilke passed away about thirty minutes later without regaining consciousness. He had attained the age of 65 years, 8 months and 8 days.

Ludwig Christian Friedrich Wilke was born in Mecklenburg Schwerin, Germany, April 6th, 1858. At the age of seven years he came with his parents to this country, making Akron, Ohio, their home. About a year later the father died. In 1868 the remainder of the family came west and settled in Elkport, Iowa. Here Louis attended the Public School, and after he had been confirmed on April 20th, 1873, started to work as a farm-laborer.

On March 30th, 1883, he was married to Dorothy Blume of Garnavillo Twp. For eight years they lived on a small place adjoining Garnavillo, seven years in Clayton Twp., four years in Read Twp., then buying a farm near Communia, which has been their home the last 21 years. Being a hard-working and industrious man, he naturally prospered, and of late he and his wife were considering plans of retiring from active farm-life and spend the remaining years of their life in town. But God in his unsearchable wisdom had willed it otherwise.

His sudden departure is mourned by his wife and companion for over 40 years. Not being very strong of late the shock was almost to much for her. As a result she is now confined to her home, and was unable to attend the funeral services.

He is survived by eight children, Arthur, at home; Mrs. John Berse, of Elkader; Mrs. A. C. Storbeck, of Boardman township; Walter, of Farmersburg township; Elmer, of Boardman township; Mrs. Ferdinand Meenan, of Volga township; Edna and Louis, at home. He also leaves four grandchildren, one sister, Mrs. Mary Beck, of El Reno, Oklahoma, one brother, Henry Wilke, of Garnavillo, Iowa, and other relatives, neighbors and friends.

Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Franke, on Monday, December 17th, at 1:00 o'clock at the house and at 2:00 o'clock at the new Frieden's Evangelical church. Interment was made in the East Side cemetery.

Our sympathy goes out to the sorrowing family.