AUKES, Maria 1850-1907

AUKES, SENTS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 2/28/2017 at 21:46:34

Obituary of Mrs. Aukes

Maria F. Aukes, nee Sents, was born October 30, 1850 in Eilsum, Kreis Emden, Eastfriesland, Germany. She came into this country in 1869 with her parents and family and settled in Grundy county, Iowa, sharing the arduous labor of providing a living and establishing a home. In 1872 she was united in marriage with D. E. Aukes, her now sorrowing husband. This union was blessed with twelve children, eight sons and four daughters who are all living and enjoying good health, the youngest being in her 16th year.

Deceased found Christ as her precious Savior in 1873 and immediately united with the Evangelical Association of which she was a faithful member, being a jewel of the church and a guide to many to that "One Thing" which is above all needful. The remembrance of her quiet and consecrated life will also in the future prove a blessing to many more.

The neighborhood will miss her beneficial hand always read to administer in time of need. The poorest and most unfortunate was an object of her pity and charity. The church will miss one of the truest and most genuine servants, the congregation one of its "stand-bys" always being found in her chair at meeting time if absent there was a valid reason and not mere excuse. Her presence was an inspiration and encouragement, her kindly word of welcome and cheer to all she met was received as coming from one of the truest hearts that ever beat in a human body and provided a blessing. In the church will be a vacant chair. Who can fill it! Above all the family will miss her. The companion and the mother is no more among them. As a life companion she had few superiors in making home a place of welcome and joy for her now sorely stricken husband, as a mother she was considerate of every childs needs, her consecrated efforts for the welfare of every member of her family were unceasing and untiring. Her love extremely unselfish, the truest a mother can give impartially bestowed. Her sweet voice will no more be heard singing from early morning till late in the evening such hymns as, "Sweet peace the gift of Gods love," "T'is so sweet to trust in Jesus," "Just to take him at his word," "Lass mich gehn, lass gehn," "Dass ich Jesum moge sehn."

She died August 9, '07 the cause of her death being a stroke of paralysis received April 22, making her almost absolutely helpless at that time. Her demise was in the full assurance of salvation by a living faith. It was the granting of her wish to be at home with her Lord. When the pastor asked her shortly before how she was getting along she replied, "getting along? Why, I'm homeward bound." The last audible words were, "O my Savior come." She would be where eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard, neither hath entered into the heart of man the things God hath prepared for the redeemed in order to praise Him for the gift of his unspeakable love.

She leaves the sorrowing husband, twelve children, eight grandchildren, one brother, A. F. Sents, one sister, Mrs. Jno Beving and numerous other relatives, friends and neighbors to mourn her early departure at the age of 56 yrs. 9 mos. and 10 days.

The funeral services were held at the E. A. Church in the grove, because of the great number present estimated at 600 or more at 2:30 p.m. Sunday August 11, conducted by the pastor C. F. Hillman in both the German and English languages. The text being the last words deceased wrote with trembling hand in her church hymnal by II Cor. 5:1.

Her earthly tabernacle was laid to rest in the cemetery at the church to await the call of the Master on that Great Day while her soul rejoices in the great redemption wrought by the previous blood of Christ. The Lord comfort those who mourn.
C. F. Hillman

--The Grundy Republican (Grundy Center, Iowa), 15 August 1907, pg 3