Edith Remke

Edith Remke, age 68, of Decorah, Iowa died on Thursday, January 5, 2006 at the Aase Haugen Nursing Home in Decorah, Iowa following a long illness. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 9, 2006 at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church with Rev. Donald Hawes officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may greet the family from 3:00-6:00 p.m. on Sunday at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah. Edith Meschke Remke was born on March 5, 1937 the daughter of Bruno and Helen (Vaurn) Meschke in Ulm, Germany. Edith attended school in Ulm, Germany. She met Dale Remke, while he was stationed in US Army and they were married on January 17, 1956 in Ulm, Germany. To this union, five children were born: David, Doris, Jerry, Donna and Debbie; with the three oldest born in Germany. In 1959, they left Germany and came to Decorah, where Edith was a homemaker, raising the children. Edith also worked at Nob Hill, the Abner Hendrickson School, Hawkeye Stages and retired from Decorah Comm. Schools. Edith and Dale enjoyed their weekends at their trailer in McGregor, while they still worked full time and later lived there full time after they retired. Edith returned to Decorah three years ago to be near her family. Edith enjoyed gambling, Senior Citizen bus trips, watching Wheel of Fortune and NASCAR races that included driver, Jeff Gordon. Edith also enjoyed having coffee with her friends and cooking but she especially loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Edith’s survivors include her two sons: David Remke, Decorah, IA and Jerry (Cindy) Remke, Ridgeway, IA. Three daughters: Doris Mooney and Dave Brockway, Waukon, IA; Donna Dotzler & Ken Kerr, Waukon, IA and Debbie (Jim) Flynn, Decorah, IA. Seventeen grandchildren: Caleb Remke, Holly Remke, Alicia Remke, Stuart Wilkin, Adam Remke, Aaron (Lisa) Johnson, Brian (Jenni) Mooney, Beth Mooney, Jason Remke, Jill Smith, Jamie Remke, Nichole Dotzler, Tiffany (Charles) Ghegan, Derek Dotzler, Devian Kerr, Paige Kerr and Jeremy Flynn. Six great grandchildren: Bailey and Kendall Mooney, Hailey and Carter Johnson, Kyleigh Smith and Miciah Dotzler. Two brothers: Kurt Meschke, Osnabruck, Germany and Guenter Meschke, Chesterland, OH. Four sisters: Inga Renner, Rosslau, Germany, Erika Beemiller, Scottsdale, AZ; Vera Waldtraut, NC and Lotti Nichlaus, Grange Over Sands, England. Two sisters-in-law: Darlyne Johnson, Decorah, IA and Phyllis Schimming, McHenry, IL. Edith was preceded in death by her parents: Bruno and Helen Meschke; her husband, Dale Remke on October 26, 1999; her father and mother-in-law: Ray and Vivian Remke; one sister: Irene Wiggett; and one brother: Munford in infancy.