GEREKE, Reke 1856-1936

GEREKE, NESEMAN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 4/23/2014 at 06:23:38

Mrs. Gereke Died Suddenly, February 12

Mrs. J. H. Gereke, aged 79, passed away at her home in Wellsburg Wednesday morning. Death was due to a heart attack. Mr. Neseman, her brother who lived with her, had gone to get a pail of coal leaving Mrs. Gereke, apparently as well as usual, sitting by the fire. On his return a few minutes later, he found that she had passed away.

Mrs. Gereke, whose maiden name was Neseman, was born in Burlington, August 12, 1856. She was married to J. H. Gereke in 1895 and a short time later they came to Wellsburg where they built and operated the hotel, now used by Herman Hippen as a filling station.

Mr. Gereke died in 1905 and since that time Mrs. Gereke and her brother, Chris Neseman have made their home in Wellsburg.

Mrs. Gereke had no children but did a mother's part by a family of step-children four of whom survive her. They are Mrs. Lee Chase, and Ferd, and E. J. Gereke of Burlington and Mrs. O. B. Eells of Wellsburg. Other relatives are O. B. Eells, and Mrs. C. H. Heddens of Wellsburg and Harry Eells of New Jersey, nephews and niece of Mrs. Gereke and two nephews in Colorado. Mrs. Glenn W. Smith of Grinnell and Freddie Miller of Wellsburg, children of a deceased step-daughter, Mrs. Julia Miller, were reared in her home.

Mrs. Gereke was well-beloved by all who knew her. Her life was spent in doing for others, with no thought of reward other than the satisfaction of doing her duty.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at the home at 1 o'clock followed by services at the Second Christian Reformed church in charge of Rev. J. C. DeKorne. Burial will be in Shiloh cemetery.

--The Wellsburg Herald (Wellsburg, Iowa), 12 February 1936, pg 1