Anke Margaretha Tobiassen Bohlken, 1853-1930

BOHLKEN, TOBIASSEN, HARMS, OETJIN, PAULSEN, SOPERMARDOF, GUTKNECHT, EILTA

Posted By: Sharon Oltmanns (email)
Date: 9/6/2013 at 22:59:16

Anke Margaretha Tobiassen Bohlken
September 21, 1853–January 21, 1930

Death Calls a Scotch Grove Pioneer Sat.
Mrs. Gerke Bohlken Was a Resident of Jones County 59 Years

Mrs. Anna T. Bohlken, the widow of the late Gerke Bohlken, died at the home of her youngest daughter Mrs. Henry Harms in Wayne township, last Saturday morning at 6:30. Mrs. Bohlken had been in failing health for several years and had sought medical relief which proved but temporary. She had been a resident of Scotch Grove township for 59 years. She emigrated from Germany in the month of May 1871 when she was a young woman of 18 years.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bohlken occurred at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church May 13, 1875. This marriage was performed by Rev. Johann J. Oetjin. The death of Mrs. Bohlken removes the last member of the older Tobiason family of Wayne township.

Mr. and Mrs. Bohlken became the parents of ten children, two of whom died in infancy. The living children are Mrs. Peter Paulsen of Onslow, Mrs. Fred Hanken of Langworthy, Mrs. George F. Tobiason of Monticello, Mrs. Howard Soper of Anamosa, Mrs. Henry Harms, Jr., Scotch Grove township, William Bohlken, Scotch Grove township, Ben H. Bohlken, Wayne township, and Tobias Bohlken, Scotch Grove township. She is also survived by nearly thirty grandchildren.

Mr. and Mrs. Bohlken celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary at their home in Scotch Grove township May 13, 1925. This celebration was attended by 300 immediate relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Bohlken. Dinner and supper were served to all present on that day. Congratulatory addresses were delivered by Rev. C. Mardorf and Rev. Paul T. Gutknecht. Among the guests at the celebration were Mr. and Mrs. Bernhard Tobiason who were the bridal attendants when Mr. and Mrs. Bohlken were married in 1875.

Mr. Bohlken passed away June 30, 1927. Since that time, Mrs. Bohlken had made her home during the major portion of the time with her daughter Minnie, Mrs. Henry Harms. She submitted to a serious surgical operation two years ago, which brought her but temporary relief and since that time her health gradually failed.

The funeral services for Mrs. Bohlken were held at the home of her daughter Minnie last Tuesday morning at 10:30 o'clock. The funeral party then went to Zion's Lutheran church in Wayne township where the pastor of that church, Rev. J. Willms conducted final services for Mrs. Bohlken. Burial was made at the cemetery adjoining the church.
Among those from out of town who attended the funeral of Mrs. G. H. Bohlken were Mr. and Mrs. Dick Bohlken of Akron, and Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Eilts of Ireton.

Source: The Monticello Express, Monticello, Iowa, October 1930