Onken, Margareta (Mrs. Hajo), 1861-1936

ONKEN, RICKLEFS

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:36

From the Hawarden Independent, June 11, 1936:

Mrs. Onken Died Last Thursday

Mrs. Margareta Onken passed away on Thursday at the home of her son in law, Mr. Luehrman. Funeral services were held in St. Paul’s Lutheran church in Ireton Saturday, Rev. H. W. Krieger conducting the services. The sermon was based on Isaiah 46:4. The three Ricklefs sisters rendered two anthems. Interment was made in St. John’s cemetery where her husband has slumbered since May 13, 1925.

Margareta Henrich Onken, nee Ricklefs, was born Oct 2, 1861 at Leeraafe, Ostfriesland, Germany. She was baptized there and on April 13, 1876 confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Coming to America she settled in Jones county, Iowa, and later moved to Illinois. In 1878 she came to Sioux county. She was married to Hago E. Onken on Nov 10, 1878. This was the first couple married in St. John’s church and at that time Pastor Buenger served this congregation.

To this union were born eleven children, three of whom Herman, Johanna and Louisa, preceded their mother in death. The children who survive her are: Gerd, Reiner, Mary, Gesene, Emilie, Martha, Laura and Andy. She also leaves 34 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

In the passing of Mrs. Onken this community loses on of its real early settlers, who went through all the early hardships and viccisitudes which came to the early settler of Sioux county. She was devoted to her family and she was loved by all who know her for her kind, patient and tolerant ways.

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From the Sioux County Capital, June 11, 1936:

Mrs. Onken Dies

Mrs. Onken, formerly of Ireton, who has been making her home with her children Mr. and Mrs. Harold Lehrman for the past several years, passed away early Thursday morning, June 4th at the age of 75 years. She was suffering from leakage of the heart but was sick only a short time. Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon from the Harold Lehrman home and at the Lutheran church, with burial taking place at Ireton.

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From the Alton Democrat, June 12, 1936, Ireton news:

DEATH CALLS MRS. ONKEN

Mrs. Margaret Onken, 74, died at 3 P.M. Thursday, June 4, following a two hour illness at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Harold Lehrman, four miles southwest of Ireton. While Mrs. Onken had not been in the best of health the past years she was about as usual Thursday and ate dinner with the family. Shortly after she was stricken and death followed shortly after.

Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon from the St. Paul’s Lutheran church in Ireton, with the Rev. H. W. Krieger officiating. Beautiful music was presented by the members of the choir and the grandsons were pallbearers. Mrs. Onken was a life-long member of the Lutheran church and was ever zealous for the welfare of the church.

She was the mother of three children who preceded her in death and the following living children: Gerrit of Chester, S.D.; Reine and Andrew of Ireton; Mrs. Amelia Schultz of Craig; Mrs. John Tonjea, Ireton; Mrs. Fred Schmidt of Le Mars; Mrs. William Johnson of Coon Rapids, Ia. and Mrs. Harold Lehrman of Ireton. The husband preceded her in death 22 years ago. There are 30 grandchildren and 6 great grand children and the following brothers, Herman and George Rickleffs of Ireton, Henry Rickleffs of Sioux City and John Rickleffs of Le Mars.

The remains were laid to rest beside those of her husband in St. John’s Lutheran cemetery southeast of Ireton.

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RESEARCH NOTES

The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Onken, Margaret, b. 1861, d. 1936, Mother, St. Johns Lutheran Cemetery, Ireton IA.

Marriage records for her children present her name as either Margaret or Margaretha Ricklefs. Her own marriage index record on Ancestry.com has her as Margaret Ricklefs (marrying Hajo Onken in Le Mars, Iowa on 10 Nov. 1878). In the 1900 U.S. census she is Margareta Onken; in subsequent U.S. censuses she is Margaret; in 1880 she is Maggie.

Her death certificate has her as Margaretta Ricklefs-Onken (indexed on Ancestry.com as Ouken), widow of Hago E. Onken; born 2 October 1861 in Germany; parents Garrett Ricklefs and [no forename] Hennrich[?]; died in Maurice at 4 p.m. June 4, 1936; cause, congestive heart failure, onset April 1936; contributory cause arterio-sclerosis.

The Sioux County Cemetery Index spells her husband's name Hajo, as does his obituary (posted separately).