Wilhelm Roepke 1848-1939

ROEPKE, WEGNER, MAILLIE

Posted By: Dorothy Gosse (email)
Date: 7/18/2010 at 18:31:58

Wilhelm Roepke was born at Nakel, Province Posen, Germany on March
22, 1848. He was the second youngest child in a family of five sons
and one daughter. His father and mother were Michael and Charlotte
Roepke.

He was baptized in infancy in the Lutheran faith. He received his
education in the public schools of Germany and after receiving due
religious instruction was confirmed at the age of fourteen years.

As a young man he served in the Franco-Prussian war. After the war
on February 2, 1872, he was united in holy marriage with Miss
Pauline Wegner. This union was blessed with eleven children, nine
of whom were born in Germany and two in America. While still living
in Germany Mr. Roepke's occupation was that of a coachman.

In the spring of 1892 the family emigrated to America. For three
years they lived at Jesup, Iowa, after which they lived near Oelwein
for one year. In 1899 Mr. Roepke bought a farm near Hazleton, Iowa
where he and his family made their home until 1919. In that year
Mr. and Mrs. Roepke went to live with their son-in-law and daughter,
Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Maillie at Oelwein. There Mrs. Roepke preceded
her husband in death on August 9, 1921. Thereafter Mr. Roepke
continued to make his home with his daughter until his death.

Mr. Roepke became a naturalized citizen of this country on
November 2, 1896.

He was a very active and successful farmer and good provider for
his family. Mr. Roepke remained a faithful member of the Lutheran
Church throughout his life. In 1898 he became a member of Zion
Lutheran Church of Oelwein. He showed his love for his church in a
special manner at the time when the present church and parsonage
were built. With other members he donated much time and labor
toward their construction.

Mr. Roepke was blessed with an abundance of good health throughout
his long life. It was not until the last nine months of his life
that old age showed its enfeebling effect to any marked degree.
During this time, however, he gradually grew weaker until the time
of his death. He peacefully feel asleep at the home of his
daughter, Mrs. A. J. Maillie, at 7:40 pm December 23, 1939. He
attained the ripe old age of 91 years, 9 months and one day.

Besides the passing of his faithful wife, Mr. Roepke was preceded
in death by seven of his children, five of whom died in Germany in
infancy or early childhood. The two that preceded him in this
country were his sons Emil who died June 16, 1902 and William Jr.
whose death occurred on January 25, 1929.

Mr. Roepke leaves to mourn his death three sons, August of Hazleton,
Iowa, Gustave of Aurora, Iowa and Louis of Waterloo, Iowa; one
daughter, Minnie now Mrs. A. J. Maillie of Oelwein; twenty-eight
grandchildren; ten great grandchildren and many friends.

The funeral was held from the home of Mr. A. J. Maillie at 2:15 pm
and from Zion Lutheran Church at 2:30 pm, Tuesday, December 26.
Rev. H. C. Shiffler officiated. The pallbearers were his six
grandsons; William, Walter, Carl, Elmer, George and Robert Roepke.
The flower girls were his granddaughters; Margaret, Ruth, Zelma,
and Jean Roepke. Interment in the Hazleton Cemetery.

Oelwein Daily Register - 27 Dec 1939