Obit: Lepke, Johanna (1844 - 1937)

Contact: Crystal Wendt

Surnames: Lepke, Lawrence, Resong, Kelly, Cornest, Donahue, Kubat, Neville, Gall, Hubing

----Sources: Neillsville Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 23 Dec. 1937

Lepke, Johanna (9 May 1844 - 15 Dec. 1937)

Johanna Lawrence was born in Germany, May 9, 1844, to John and Marie Lawrence and passed away Dec. 15, 1937, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Matt Resong, at the age of 93 years, 7 months and 6 days. She grew to womanhood in her native land and was married there to August Lepke, who preceded her in death 20 years ago on Jan. 15, 1918.

They came to the United States in 1872 and settled in Neillsville, Wis. Fourteen children were born to them, five of whom survive, 9 of the children dying in infancy. The surviving children are Anna (Mrs. Matt Resong) and Frank, Neillsville; Michael, Madison; Joseph, Anaconda, Mont.; and John, Whittier, Calif. There are 16 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Mrs. Lepke was deeply religious and attended church regularly, except in case of illness, until two weeks before she died, the trim little woman walking the distance from her home on South Court Street to the Catholic church almost daily for many years. Since the death of her husband she has lived in her home along until the last few winters, which were spent at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Matt Resong. On her 92nd birthday she was presented with a chair by Wm. Schiller for having lived longer than any person in Clark County in the same residence and up to the time of her death was the oldest living residence in Neillsville, Wis.

Funeral services were held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 18. Pallbearers were Thomas Kelly, Louis Cornest, James Donahue, Frank Kubat, William Neville, Sr., and Frank Gall.

Michael Lepke, Madison, John Hubing, daughter and son of Loyal were here for the rites.