Clayton County Register

Jacob Omer Beeh passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on November 13, 2018, at University of Iowa Hospital. Jake was born in Manchester, Iowa, on June 16, 1954, to Philip and Cora Nita Beeh. On September 27, 1980, he was married to his wife of 38 years, Connie Marie (Bolsinger). Together they had three sons, Joshua (Jinna), Jason and Jared (Brandie). He also had two granddaughters who adored him, Ari and Zoe.

Jake graduated from Central Community High School in 1972. He enjoyed learning and fixing things. That helped him to be able to do a variety of work.  He spent many years working hard on the farm. He was also an exceptional welder. But he was most proud of his years as an EMT. He loved being able to help people in any way.

Susan JoAnn Wilke, 62, of Dubuque, Iowa, formerly of Monona, Iowa, died Tuesday, October 30, 2018, surrounded by family. Susan was born August 26, 1956, to Thomas and Mary Jo (Iverson) Wilke in Decorah, Iowa. She graduated from MFL High School with the class of 1974 and attended Luther College earning her B.A. in 1978. Throughout the years, Susan was an art teacher, owned and operated five Hallmark Stores, and currently owned and operated Ink & Stamp with Sue in Galena, Illinois.

From an early age, Susan took great pride in her role as a big sister. The four siblings shared a love of their grandma’s caramel suckers and cranberry cake, and could be brought to tears laughing over Susan’s infamous Chippewa Flowage spill on water skis.

William Franklin “Bill” Kramer, 77, of Elkader, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 4, 2018, following a long battle with SCA (Spinal Cerebrum Atrophy) at the Elkader Care Center surrounded by his family. The family made the decision to donate his body to the University of Iowa Deeded Body Program.

Bill was born to Alfred and Charlotte (Dohrer) Kramer May 15, 1941, in Elkader. He was baptized and confirmed at Peace United Church of Christ in Elkader. He attended Elkader Central Schools, graduating with the Class of 1959. After graduation, he worked for Commercial Wire Products in Rockford, IL. In 1963, he was instrumental in establishing another plant location in Elkader called Elkader Wire Display Company, where he became the plant foreman.

In 1964, he joined the Army National Guard serving six years and was honorably discharge in 1970.

He was united in marriage to Sandy Burgett on February 17, 1968, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elkader.

By Pat McTaggart
Freelance Writer

Like thousands of other Iowa boys, Northeast Iowa native Henry Lembke registered for the draft on June 5, 1917, the date that all males between the ages of 21 and 30 were required to do so. World War I was raging in Europe, with America entering into the conflict on April 6. The Army was undergoing a massive transformation from a peacetime force to a force that would be needed to confront the enemy, and that force needed men.