Emma L. Tanke (1863-1936)

TANKE

Posted By: Debra Scott Hierlmeier (email)
Date: 11/14/2008 at 18:53:43

MRS. FRED TANKE 1863-1935
“Leaves have their time to fall, and flowers to wither at the north wind’s breath, But thou, thou hast all season’s for thine own, O Death!”

For the second time this week, the grim reaper has reached into our midst and taken to himself a loved one, this time a wife and mother who had been permitted to spend her allotted “three score and ten” years with those who loved her.

Emma Louise, daughter of Gustav and Margaretha Kai Dobernecker, was born in Schleswig, Germany, Ocgtober 24, 1863. When nineteen years of age she came to America; coming directly to Avoca in 1882. She became the wife of Herman Mecklenburg and the mother of four daughters and one son. She became the wife of Fred Tanke on June 2, 1896, and to this union was born two daughters and one son.

Mrs. Tanke was a consistent Christian woman, a patient and loving mother and a kind friend and neighbor. O her kind, it is written, “Well done, come up higher.”

Those left to mourn a companion and a loving mother are, her husband, six daughters, Mrs. Frank Pickerill, Emma and Ella Mecklenberg, and Mrs. Theodore Nieman of Avoca; Mrs. William Gorman of Kansas City; two sons: Herman and Carl of Avoca; five grandchildren, one sister, Alvene in Germany, and a brother, Albert Dobernecker living near Oakland, Iowa; also three step children, Mrs. Ben Schmidt of Boose, South Dakota, Fred Tanke, Jr., of Brookings, S.D., and William Tanke of Lincoln, Nebraska.

For the past two years Mrs. Tanke has not been well, and she finally succumbed to a heart ailment Tuesday morning, June 18, 1935, aged 72 years, 7 months, and 25 days.

Funeral services will be held today (Thursday) at 2 pm at the Evangelical Lutheran church, with interment in Graceland cemetery. Rev. Joseph Gerlt will conduct the service.

Mr. and Mrs. William Gaines of Omaha, Mr. and Mrs. Gorman of Kansas City, Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt of Boose, S.D., Mr. and Mrs. Fred Tanke, Jr., all were in attendance at the funeral.

From the Scrapbooks of Bessie Gross Gustafsen
Source: Avoca Journal Herald