LeMars Globe-Post

November 23, 1931 

MRS. ANNA LUCKE CALLED BY MAKER

Death Ends Suffering Of Three Years—Funeral Tuesday P.M.

Mrs. Anna M. Lucke, wife of the late E. C. Lucke, and one of the early pioneers of this community, died at the hospital Sunday afternoon at the age of 60 years.  Deceased had been suffering with sickness for the last three years, suffering a second stroke after the death of her daughter, Frances.

Deceased was born in Illinois on June 12, 1871, and came to this community in 1875 with her parents. Her father, Jacob Wernli, was the founder of the Northwestern Normal school and business college, now known as Western Union college.  Mrs. Lucke received her early education in LeMars and after her graduation attending Northwestern university, where she studied music.  She was the first music teacher in the LeMars public schools, and also taught at the Normal school in LeMars.  She was organist at St. Paul’s M. E. church for many years.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 from St. Paul’s M. E. church, Rev. Geo. M. Ruff officiating.  Burial will be made in the LeMars cemetery, Beely’s funeral directors in charge.

Mrs. Lucke leaves to mourn her loss, two sons, who are:  Homer, of Appleton, Wis., and Robert of this city.  Mr. Lucke died on May 8, 1924, and a daughter, Frances, died about two years ago.

After the death of Mr. Lucke, she took part in the E. C. Lucke store, where she took her husband’s place for several years.

Besides her two sons, she leaves four sisters and seven brothers, who are:  Mrs. A. L. Livingston Paullina; Mrs. L. E. Schaefer, Primghar; Mrs. C. F. Paul, Minneapolis; Mrs. C. E. Haas, LeMars; L. S. Wernli, of Sioux City; O. R. Wernli, C. A. Wernli and G. L. Wernli, of this city; H. A. Wernli, Minneapolis; F. P. Wernli, Hazen, N. D.; and George D. Wernli, Los Angeles.

Mrs. Lucke was a good wife and mother. She was a faithful member of St. Paul’s M. E. church and enjoyed the acquaintances of many friends, who extend their sympathy to the children and relatives, in mourning the loss of a well known woman.

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel

November 24, 1931 

WAS TEACHER IN HER YOUTH

Mrs. E. C. Lucke Dies in Hospital Following a Lingering Illness

HOLD FUNERAL TODAY

Was Widow of Well Known LeMars Business Man.

Following an illness of long duration, Mrs. E. C. Lucke, a resident of LeMars since childhood, died at a hospital in Cherokee Sunday, November 22.  The cause of death is ascribed as due to cerebral hemorrhage.

Mrs. Lucke had been in failing health the past two years.  The death of her only daughter, Frances Lucke, a brilliant and talented young musician, killed in an automobile accident, two years ago, preyed heavily on her mind and for several months her condition has been regarded as critical and hopeless.

Mrs. Lucke was the daughter of Prof. J. Wernli, one of the early settlers coming to LeMars in the pioneer days.  Mr. Wernli, gifted with talents and opportunities not afforded to all, was one of the first men in LeMars to take a stand for better educational facilities.  He was a prime factor in initial moves for higher learning and established the first Normal school in LeMars.  The LeMars Normal school was the nucleus in a great measure for Western Union college, now famed as an educational institution in the middle west.

Born in Galena.

After attending school in LeMars and colleges in the East Mrs. Lucke, prior to her marriage, taught school and assisted her father in the duties of County School Superintendent, a position he held for several years.  Her name in earlier days was intimately associated with many undertakings for better education and higher living standards.

Anna M. Wernli was born in Galena, Ill., June 12, 1871, and came with her parents from Chicago to LeMars in 1875 and spent the remainder of her life in this vicinity.

She was united in marriage to Edward C. Lucke, a well known LeMars young business man, in 1902. Mr. Lucke died in 1924 and one daughter, Frances, died in 1929.  Mrs. Lucke leaves to mourn her death her two sons, Homer L. Lucke and Robert E. Lucke.

She leaves a large family of brothers and sisters who are:  Chas. A. Wernli, G. L. Wernli, Mrs. C. E. Haas and Otto R. Wernli, of LeMars; Will Wernli, of Montebello, Calif.; Geo. Wernli, of Los Angeles, Calif.; Herman Wernli, Minneapolis, Minn.; Frank Wernli, Hazen, N. D.; Louis Wernli, Sioux City; Mrs. Chas. Paul, Minneapolis, Minn.; Mrs. L. B. Schaefer, Primghar; Mrs. A. L. Livingstone, Paullina.

Funeral This Afternoon.            

The funeral will be held this afternoon with services at 2:30 in St. Paul’s church, by Rev. George Ruff and interment made in the city cemetery.