Helen Tapken 1882-1963

TAPKEN, ORTGIES, KRAY, ONMEN, ULFERTS, SCHAFER

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 8/7/2021 at 08:57:53

August 1, 1963 - Monticello Express

MONTICELLO - Mrs. Helen Ortgies Tapken, widow of the late John Tapken, died July 24 at John McDonald hospital following an illness of a month.

Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at St. Matthew Lutheran church with the Rev. Anton Kirkegaard officiating. Burial was made at Oakwood cemetery.

Mrs. Tapken was born Sept. 30, 1882 in Sillenstade, Germany, the daughter of Lubbe and Meta Eilers Ortgies. She migrated to the U.S. in 1892, settling in Illinois and Scott county, Iowa. She moved to Jones county in 1893, settling in Castole Grove.

On March 15, 1900, she was married to John Tapken and they farmed in Castle Grove and Cass townships prior to moving to Monticello in 1930. Mr. Tapken died Dec. 29, 1962. Mrs. Tapken was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran church. She was preceded in death by a son Herman and two brothers.

Survivors include three children: Mrs. John (Meta) Kray and Mrs. Alfred (Grace) Onmen, both of Monticello and Louis Tapken of rural Anamosa; 14 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren; one brother Henry Ortgies, Monticello; three sisters, Mrs. Henry (Kate) Ulferts, Mrs. Herman (Gusta) Schafer both of Anamosa and Mrs. John (Minnie) Ulferts of Monticello.