August Michael Roepke 1883-1940

ROEPKE, OTT, SHEPHERD, MCDONNELL, MAILLIE

Posted By: Dorothy Gosse (email)
Date: 7/18/2010 at 18:11:24

August Michael Roepke was born at Bachwitz, Province Posen,
Germany on August 22, 1883. There he was baptized in infancy
in the Lutheran Church. There he also attended the elementary
school until he was eight years old.

In 1892 he emmigrated to America with his parents and three
brothers. The family settled near Jesup where the lad
continued his education in the public school of that vicinity.
He attended confirmation school in Zion Ev. Lutheran Church of
Oelwein, where he was confirmed with his class by Rev. G. J.
Zeilinger. The family lived near Jesup for four years, one
year near Oelwein and then moved to a farm near Hazleton.

On November 29, 1908 Mr. Roepke was united in marriage with
Miss Emelie Ott of Fairbank, Iowa. The young couple made their
home on a farm near Fairbank for the next ten years. In 1917
they moved to a farm near Hazleton, where they lived until the
time of Mr. Roepke's death. To this union were born eight
children, five sons and three daughters. One son, Raymond,
preceded his father in death on February 23, 1929.

Mr. Roepke devoted his life to his chosen occupation of farming
and was very successful in his work. He enjoyed an abundance
of health and strength. About 22 years ago, however, it pleased
God to lay a heavy cross upon him and thus upon his family. He
was stricken with a rare spinal ailment which was later pronounced
as creeping paralysis. This left him crippled for the rest of his
life. He was an invalid for the last nineteen years. His
faithful wife, together with the children, continued to carry on
the work of the farm. During the last fifteen months of his life
he was confined entirely to his bed, where he suffered from a
dropsical condition. During this time his Bible, prayerbook and
hymn book were his constant companions.

Last Saturday, February 17, Mrs. Roepke moved from the farm and
made preparations for the family to live with their son-in-law
and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Horace Shepherd. During the time of
moving Mr. Roepke was taken to People's Hospital at Independence
where, it was thought he would receive better care. He however,
was never priviliged to enjoy his new hone, for on Monday morning,
February 19, it pleased his Heavenly Father to relieve him from
his earthly sufferings and to take him to his home above. He
attained the age of 56 years, 5 months and 28 days.

He leaves to mourn his death his beloved wife; four sons, Rudolph
of Independence, Arnold of Oelwein, Elmer of Independence, and
Richard at home; three daughters, Elsie now Mrs. C. G. McDonnell
of Clayton, Iowa, Clarabelle, now Mrs. Horace Shepherd of Oelwein
and Zelma at home; ten grandchildren, two brothers, Gustav of
Aurora, Iowa and Louis of Waterloo, Iowa; one sister, Mrs. A. J.
Maillie of Oelwein and many friends.

The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon from the home of Mr. and
Mrs. Horace Shepherd and from Zion Lutheran Church. Rev. H. C.
Schiffler conducted the service. The singer was Miss Esther Gruse,
accompanied by Mrs. H. C. Schiffler at the organ. The pallbearers
were his six nephews; William, Walter, Carl, George, and Robert
Roepke and Louis Maillie. Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Oelwein.

Oelwein Daily Register - 22 Feb 1940