UKER, Dora H. (nee Paulsen) 1916-2004

UKER, WITT, PAULSEN

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/21/2009 at 16:33:49

Dora H. Uker

Dora H. Uker, 88, a resident of the Nora Springs Care Center and formerly of 405 Third Ave. N.W. in Rockford, died on Thursday evening, December 2, 2004, at the Nora Springs Care Center.

Her funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the First United Methodist Church, 205 First Ave. N.W. in Rockford, with the Rev. Kenneth Kent officiating. Inurnment will be in Westside Cemetery, rural Marble Rock.

The family will greet friends and relatives from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Fullerton Funeral Home, 302 W. Main Ave. in Rockford. The visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to Dora's service.

Those wishing to extend memorials or expressions of sympathy may direct them to the Dora H. Uker Memorial Fund.

Dora Hedwig Uker was born September 18, 1916, in rural Nora Springs. She was one of five children born to Hans Peter and Katherinea (Witt) Paulsen. Dora lived in the Rockford and Nora Springs area all her life.

On July 20, 1935, Dora was united in marriage to Roger C. Uker in Mason City. They enjoyed spending time with one another and going for car rides. The couple became the proud parents of a son, Richard, and a daughter, Mary.

In Dora's earlier years, she was employed as a nurse's aide at the Rockford Nursing Home. However, most of her life she was content to tending to the care of her family and home.

Dora treasured time among her friends at the Senior Citizens Center and the enjoyment of playing cards with the Royal Neighbors of America Card Club. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

Dora is described by her family as a very kind and hard-working woman. She was independent and spunky and was never shy about "saying what was on her mind." Dora was a very nurturing mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She looked forward to family gatherings and loved to cook and bake. Her family claims, "She was a fabulous cook and they always knew the food would be great at Grandma's!" They recall Dora's specialties of pies, angel food birthday cakes, homemade cookies, air pie and German pastries. Dora was known not to use recipes when creating her baked and cooked goods, so most of her dishes will forever remain a secret.

Some of Dora's favorite leisure activities and interests included putting jigsaw puzzles together, cross-stitching and tending to her flower gardens. She seemed to have a green thumb with plants and had a fondness for growing Christmas cacti and Bleeding Hearts.

Dora will be missed dearly by her family and friends who have shared in her life.

She is survived by her five grandchildren: Ryan (Charlet) Uker of Rockford, Roger (Michelle) Uker of Rockford, Shawn (Jackie) Uker of Nora Springs, Randy Lackore of Iowa City and Paul (Peg) Lackore of Nebraska. She will also be fondly remembered by her son-in-law, Cecil (Sandra) Lackore of Arizona; her daughter-in-law, Linda Uker of Rockford; her seven great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends.

Preceding Dora in death were her husband, Roger C. Uker; her parents, Hans and Katherinea "Tieda" Paulsen; her son and daughter, Mary Lackore and Richard C. Uker; her two brothers, Chris and John Paulsen, and her two sisters, Inga O'Rourke and Willimina Paulsen.

Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, (641) 756-3311; www.fullertonfh.com.

[Globe Gazette]