Aaron F. Oelkers 1880-1943

OELKERS, PETERSON, SHADLE

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 11/22/2010 at 00:07:38

Jas. [A.F.] Oelkers Is Called
Dies at Spirit Lake Home After Long Illness With Heart Disease

James Oelkers passed away at his home in Spirit Lake Sunday [April 25, 1943] night at 10:30 o’clock following a heart attack. He has been quite ill all winter. He was 63 years old.

Mr. Oelkers was born February 12, 1880 at Salina, Kansas. He worked for the Public Service Company of Indiana, Wisconsin and Minnesota for several years. Later he was Public Superintendent of construction and maintenance Company for 41 years and retired in 1941 because of poor health. He lived in Indianapolis, Inc. for 21 years.

He was united in marriage to Mrs. Mable Peterson of Estherville Sept. 1, 1936 at Mankato, Minn., and came to Spirit Lake to live in 1941.

He was a member of the Scottish Rites and Shriners and was a Spanish War Veteran.

Surviving him are his widow; a brother who lives in Indianapolis; a sister in Waterloo and a niece, who lives on a farm near Spencer. His parents preceded him in death several years ago.

Funeral services were held yesterday at 2 o’clock at the Mahlum and Anderson chapel with the Rev. J. M. Kennedy officiating. Burial was in Oak Hill cemetery. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, April 29, 1943)

A.F. Oelkers Did at Orleans Home Sunday Night
Remains Taken to Estherville for Funeral Services and Burial

A.F. Oelkers, 3, of Orleans passed away at his home Sunday night shortly after he had gone to bed at 10:30 p.m. death resulting from a heart attack. Mr. and Mrs. Oelkers purchased the Mrs. Elma Rowley residence on the south shore of Spirit Lake about two years ago, and have since resided there.

The body was taken to Estherville to the Mahlum and Anderson funeral home, Mr. Oelkers being a brother-in-law of Mrs. George Shadle of that city. Funeral services were held at the funeral home Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock with the Rev. J. M. Kennedy in charge. Burial was in the Oakhill cemetery there.

Mr. Oelkers was born Feb. 12, 1880 in Salina, Kansas. From there the family moved to Lancaster, Wis., where he received his education.

He was superintendent of construction and maintenance for the Public Service Company for 41 years. His territory covered the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Indiana. He retired in 1941 because of poor health and was given a pension.

He was a resident of Indianapolis for 21 years, from where he moved to Orleans where he purchased the Rowley cottage nearly two years ago. He had not been in good health since 194. For the past ten days he had been quite ill although he was not confined to bed and seemed to be improved.

Mr. Oelkers was united in marriage in 1936 to Mrs. Mabel Peterson, a former Estherville resident.

He was a member of the Scottish Rites and also a member of the Shrine Lodge. He was a Spanish War veteran.

Preceding him in death were his parents. Survivors are his widow, a brother, who lives in Indianapolis, Ind., a sister in Waterloo, a nephew in Indianapolis, and a niece in Spencer. (Spirit Lake Beacon, Spirit Lake, IA, April 29, 1943)