Obituaries

IN MEMORIAM


David Alan Heinrich

July 6, 1992 - March 9, 2017
David Heinrich was born and baptized in Syracuse, NY, and confirmed at St. Peter Lutheran in Arlington Heights in 2005. He passed away unexpectedly in Syracuse. A fourth year architecture student at Syracuse University, he had studied in London and Florence. David was the son of Kenneth and Tamara Heinrich of Palatine, Ill.; brother of Eric, Adam and Jacob; and the grandson of Richard and Carol Heinrich of Florida.

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Robert George Strohm

August 1, 1929 - November 18, 2016
Robert George Strohm, age 87, formerly of Clarendon Hills, succumbed to cancer at Kirkland Village in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, surrounded by his family on Nov. 18, 2016. Beloved husband of Gloria Albie (Witkowski); loving father of Roderick Strohm and daughter-in-law, Lisa Strohm; devoted grandfather of Ryan, Connor, and Kennedy; great grandfather of Ryleigh and Harper; future father-in-law of Hope Frankenfield. He was the son of George F. Strohm and our dad’s “Aunt Ella” Heinrich Strohm, raised on Carpenter St. on the south side of Chicago. He was close to our dad Raymond H. Ziemer, who lived next door and often “kept an eye on” his younger cousin – which didn’t prevent “Bobby” from coming home roughed up and ragged from a pickup football game. Bob spent 35 years at the AT&T Hawthorne Works in Cicero, Illinois. He was the last manufacturing manager at the site, which closed in 1986.

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Herbert W. Ecklund

March 28, 1929 - August 30, 2015
Herb Ecklund was born in Charlevoix, MI, son of Ernest and Martha. He spent his early days on his parents’ dairy farm in Charlevoix before high school in Williamston, MI. He joined the air force and met his future wife while stationed at Ft. Knox, KY. They were married in 1950 and Herb began his successful career as a salesman. Herb sold everything from fish to Oldsmobiles. He and Betty had children: Michael, Judy (Colbath) Steven, Debra (Shattuck), Richard, and Amy (Marks), resulting in 19 grandchildren 33 great-grandchildren and three great-greats. Herb died aged 86 at his home in Terrell, Texas.

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Dawn M. Ziemer Ferrara

March 29, 1958 - November 9, 2014
Dawn Marilene Ziemer was born in Bolingbrook, Ill. the third child of five and oldest daughter of Donald M. and Ruth Gunther Ziemer. She married Michael Ferrara in 1979 and they raised three children: Michael, Heather Schultz and Jenafer Mays. Dawn worked at Cigna Intracorp for 25 years. She was a great influence on her family, including seven grandchildren and sisters Donna Hietikko and Debbie Figueroa. Dawn died Nov. 9, 2014 from complications of lung cancer.

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Ronald Phillip Stoeckig

October 27, 1945 - July 5, 2013
Ronald P. Stoeckig died July 5, 2013 at the age of 67. He was the son of the late Evelyne Heinrich and Erwin “Bud” Stoeckig, brother of Christine Stoeckig and the late Marilyn (Fred) Warnke, and Partner in Life for 20 years of Douglas Stock. Ron was highly regarded by students and colleagues where he taught in the Chicago Public Schools for over 37 years. He was an avid bridge player, antique dealer and Master Gardener. His grandfather was Harry Heinrich, the son of our immigrant ancestor Fritz Heinrich of East Prussia.

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Loraine Helen Oldenburg Schwartz

June 15, 1918 - January 18, 2013
Loraine Helen Oldenburg was born 6 June 1918 in Chicago, youngest of three daughters of William Oldenburg and Lydia Heinrich. She grew up on Carpenter Street in the Englewood neighborhood near her grandparents, Heinrich aunts and uncles, and many cousins, and where they attended St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church. Loraine passed away on January 18, 2013 at the age of 94 after a steady decline in health. She had been married for 63 years to the late Paul F. Schwartz, who died in 2004, and was the mother of Lynn (Irv Mendelberg) Merryl, Gail Muffit, Laurie (Matt) Pertchi; and son Rick Schwartz; she left behind 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Loraine had been active with the Park Lawn Association, serving as president, and was also the first female Deacon at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Palos Heights.

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Joan Olson Aardsma

June 15, 1937 - September 18, 2010
Joan Lee Olson Aardsma was born June 15, 1937, daughter of Luther Olson and granddaughter of Swedish immigrants John Olson and Mathilda Bredberg. . She attended Roseland Christian School and Chicago Christian High School, class of January 1955. She worked at IBM in downtown Chicago as a secretary from February 1955 to February 1957. She married John Aardsma May 12, 1956. She had 5 children, born between May 1957 and November 1970. She was predeceased by her son Robert, 1966-1986. She worked as an aide at Rest Haven (now Providence Life Services) in Palos Heights for 21 years (about 1974-1995). She had 9 grandchildren, born 1982-2008. There are 2 great granddaughters, one born in 2001, the other in 2010. She lived in the Roseland area of Chicago until 1970, in the Beverly neighborhood for 1 year, then moved to Oak Forest in 1971. She attended the Fourth Christian Reformed Church of Roseland until her marriage, then attended the First Christian Reformed Church of Roseland until 1971, when she joined the Orland Park Christian Reformed Church (which was the new name and place of the above 4th CRC). She died September 18, 2010.

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Donald William Soldan

July 12, 1931 - August 16, 2010

Donald William Soldan, 79, died August 16 in Chandler, Arizona, where he had resided with his wife H'Eloise (BAIN) of 58 years. He leaves behind also his children Ellyn Marie (SOARD), Eric (Julia), and Laura Danielle (HARPER), and four grandchildren. Donald was raised in Chicago, a son of Louis SOLDAN and Lillian ZIEMER, grandson of Pomeranian-born Herman ZIEMER.

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Alice Marie Radovan Ziemer

February 10, 1923 - June 19, 2010

Alice Marie Ziemer, born RADOVAN died on June 19, 2010 succumbing to the effects of a stroke suffered two years earlier. Alice was born in Chicago and raised on the East Side by her parents Louis RADOVAN and Edith OLSON until their separation in 1931. She spent three years with her Swedish grandparents, John and Mathilda OLSON, and their family. Eventually she went back to live with her mother and her stepfather Melker Franson. She attended Englewood High School and in that neighborhood met and married Raymond H. ZIEMER. The couple settled into a bungalow in Chicago Lawn where they raised three children: Barbara Lou (MCCAFFREY), Raymond Gene ZIEMER, and Susan Marie(BOUMA). After 1970 they moved to Oak Brook, IL where Alice was active in the women's clubs and enjoyed traveling, which she continued to do even after the death of her husband in 1996. She is mourned by many friends and family, her children and grandchildren Thomas and Matthew ZIEMER and Allison and Trevor BOUMA.

Alice descended from the OLSONS of Öland, and the BREDBERGs of Västergötland, Sweden, and was the grandchild of Slovenian immigrants Maria REDEK and John RADOVAN.

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EULOGY



Jacqueline Murphy

May 14, 1949 - October 22, 2009

Jacqueline Marie Murphy, nee Ziemer, passed away October 22, 2009 after a period of ill-health. Jackie was born May 14, 1949 and grew up while the family lived on Sangamon St. in the Englewood neighborhood, just a block from St. Stephen's Evangelical Lutheran Church where she was christened. She was the daughter of Robert Ziemer and Isabel Clemonts. Her siblings were brother Robin Ziemer of Joshua, Texas; and of younger sister Pamela, who died in childhood. The family moved to the southwest suburb of Oak Lawn, and Jackie attended Timothy Lutheran Church and School before spending 4 years at Luther High School South.

After high school, Jackie met and married Robert Murphy, a dedicated firefighter in Chicago and the southwest suburbs. They raised four children: Robert, Jr.; James; Christopher; and Kimberly. After husband Bob's accidental death in 1994, Jackie worked for the Village of Evergreen Park and enjoyed her growing family of grandchildren, which eventually totaled 9. She was active for many years at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Jackie will be remembered as a selflessly devoted mother and grandmother, as well as a sweet and kind friend to all.

Jackie was the granddaughter of Frank Ziemer and Bertha Heinrich, a descendant of immigrant ancestors Martin and Caroline ZIEMER and Fritz and Theresa HEINRICH.

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Ruth Olsen Norway

August 3, 1928 - September 7, 2009

Ruth Norway died in Kankakee, IL shortly after being diagnosed with cancer, in September, '09. She was the daughter of Ella Ziemer and John Kraft, but was raised by Ella and step-father Art Olsen. She married Joe Norway, a Chicago policeman, on May 5, 1951. They raised two daughters, Janet Dolmon and Sharon Mayer. Ruth also leaves three grandchildren behind.

Ruth's aunt, her mother Ella's sister, was Lillian Ziemer Soldan, and Ruth remained close to her Soldan Family nieces and nephews all her life. Ruth was a grandchild of Herman A. Ziemer, who immigrated from Germany along with the rest of the Martin Ziemer Family.

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Evelyne Stoeckig

November 8, 1917 - August 23, 2008

Evelyne Marie Ella Stoeckig, nee Heinrich, died at age 90 on August 23, 2008. She was the widow of the late Erwin "Bud" Stoeckig, who died in 1963; the loving mother of Ronald, Christine, and the late Marilyn Warnke; grandmother of Kurt (Laura), Eric, and Craig Warnke; great-gandmother of Alexis, Jocelyn and Camryn Warnke; sister of Richard (Carol) and the late Harry Heinrich; fond aunt of many nieces and nephews, and friend of many.

Evelyne was born in Chicago in November 1917, attended St. Stephen's Ev. Lutheran Church and school, married Bud Stoeckig in 1940, and lived for many years in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago's South Side. In later years she lived with her daughter Christine in Chicago Ridge and attended St. Paul Lutheran Church in Oak Lawn. She was laid to rest Aug. 28, 2008 at Bethania Cemetery.

Evelyne was the daughter of Herman "Harry" Heinrich and Dorothy Frey, the granddaughter of our immigrant ancestors Fritz Heinrich and Theresa Roloff.

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Pearl Jean Claussen

September 7, 1928 - April 22, 2007

Pearl Jean Claussen, nee Soldan, died in Hot Springs, Arkansas on April 22, 2007. Pearl is survived by her husband of 60 years, Frederick H. Claussen; sons Dr. Frederick L. Claussen and Scott Claussen, both of Minnnesota, and their families, including three grandchildren; also brother Donald Soldan of Arizona, his wife, and numerous nieces and nephews, including the children of her late brother Lou Soldan, Jr. Pearl's parents were Louis Soldan and Lillian Ziemer of Chicago, where Pearl was born. She had been a cosmetologist in Minnesota before retiring to Hot Springs Village in 1993.

Pearl was descended from our immigrant ancestor Martin G. Ziemer through his 2nd son Herman Ziemer, and Herman's daughter Lillian.

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Adeline B. Hennig

April 28, 1912 - June 28, 2007

Adeline Bernice Hennig, nee Oldenburg, passed away June 28, 2007. She was the widow of the the late Gus Hennig, and had survived two daughters, Janice Vervlied and Carol Krueger. She has left behind five grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Adeline was raised with her two sisters Loraine Schwartz and the late Pearl Hoffman in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood - born on Carpenter Street and confirmed at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church. She was laid to rest at Bethania Cemetery following services at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tinley Park, IL. Adeline was the daughter of William Oldenburg and Lydia HEINRICH, the granddaughter maternally of Prussian immigrant ancestors Friedrich Heinrich and Theresa Roloff.

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Shirlee Ziemer Taylor

June 19, 1927 - June 19, 2007

Shirlee Taylor passed away on her 80th birthday after complications from heart surgery. She was at her Port Richey, FL home surrounded by her pets, in the company of her sister Darlene and nieces Marlene and Sharon. Her surviving brother Harold also flew in from Chicago. Shirlee was born in and lived in the Chicago area and later in Wisconsin (including residence in the old family cottage at Pell Lake). She and her late husband Johnny retired to Florida. The ashes of both were interred at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lake Geneva. Shirlee was the oldest chld of Harold and Lydia Ziemer, a granddaughter of Bertha Heinrich and Frank Ziemer, descended from Martin and Louise BONOW ZIEMER and Fritz and Theresa ROLOFF HEINRICH.

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Jeffrey L. Ipema

July 11, 1961 - April 7, 2007

Jeffrey L. Ipema passed away suddenly at age 45 in his South Holland. MI home. Born in Evergreen Park, IL, he came to South Holland, MI in 1972, the son of the late Henry Ipema and Sharon OLSON LETTINGA. He leaves behind his wife Tammi, a son Greg Ipema, two other children David Batey and Michael Heck; and three grandchildren. He had been employed by Holland Dye Cast Co. and Hydro Co. of Holland. Jeffrey was the grandson of Luther OLSON and the great grandson of Swedish immigrants John OLSON and Mathilda BREDBURG.

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SWEDISH ROOTS


Ruth Paula Gergolla

July 8, 1917 - December 7, 2006

Ruth Gergolla, age 89, of Elmhurst passed away after some months of illness. Widow of the late Adolph Gergolla, she is survived by her son Paul Gergolla and daughter Eileen Sarate, as well as grandchildren Anthony II and Leslie Sarate, great-grandchildren Candace and Emily, and numerous nephews and nieces. Ruth had been active at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Elmhurst.

Ruth was herself the granddaughter of Prussian immigrants Gottfried Gergolla and Emilie Roloff. Raised in Englewood on the South Side of Chicago with her sister Dorothy, she attended St. Stephen's Lutheran Church. She married her cousin Adolph Gergolla, who - like Ruth's father Paul - was born and raised where the Gergolla and Roloff families had settled in South Dakota.

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Bojan Mozina

? -- April 30, 2006
Our Slovenian cousin Bojan passed away in Ljubljana suddenly from complications after minor surgery. He is mourned by his wife Svetka and son Blaz, in addition to a son and daughter from a previous marriage. His brothers Josip and Tomaz, and nephew and nieces will miss him also. Bojan was trained as an engineer and in his early career worked in Kranj. After Slovenian independence he ran a small consulting firm. His vineyards in the Holona district near Ptuj produced a wonderful white wine. Bojan was our first contact with our Slovenian relatives; he was a most gracious host during our visit to Slovenia in 2003, and an enthusiastic help with the genealogical research. Bojan and his brothers are the sons of Frank Mozina, whose letter from then-Yugoslovia in 1975 allowed us to trace our way back to our Slovenian roots. Bojan's grandmother Nezha Radek was the sister of our own great-grandmother Maria Radek Radovan (See The Burgermeister's Daughter).

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Donald Martin Ziemer

November 30, 1930 -- April 22, 2006

Donald Martin Ziemer died Saturday, April 22, in Florida. He was the third child of Harold Frank Ziemer and Lydia Saess, growing up on Carpenter Street in the Englewood neighborhood. His siblings were Shirlee (John) Taylor, the late Frank (Shirley) Ziemer, Darlene (Richard) Prendergast, and Harold (Jean) Ziemer. He went to St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, married the late Ruth Gunther, and was the father of the late Donald Martin Ziemer, Jr.; the late Ronald Lee Ziemer; and is survived by his daughters Dawn (Michael) Ferrara, Donna (Craig) Hietikko, and Debra (Daniel) Figueroa; and ten grandchildren. He lived and worked on Chicago's south side and south suburbs.

After divorce, Donald married Betty June Frederick in 1978, and they moved to Florida, spending Donald's later years in Zephyr Hills.

Donald was a grandchild of Frank Carl Ziemer and Bertha Heinrich.

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Pearl Lydia Hoffman

August 26, 1909 -- April 10, 2006

Pearl Lydia Hoffman, age 96, beloved wife of the late Elmer, loving mother of Arlene (the late Daniel) Kluge and Nancy (David) Derhake, died Monday April 10, 2006. She was the proud grandmother of Mark, Kurt, and Christopher Kluge and David (Laura), Michael and Steven (Michele) Wolfe, great-grandmother of 6, dear sister of Adeline Hennig and Loraine Schwartz.

Pearl was born and raised on the south side of Chicago, the daughter of Lydia Heinrich and William Oldenburg. Pearl had been for decades the eldest living grandchild of our immigrant ancestors Fritz Heinrich and Theresa Roloff. She was confirmed at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Englewood, and remained a devout Lutheran all her life, being always active in church. In her later and widowed years she lived in Evergreen Park, Illinois, where she continued devotion to her family, was especially close to her sisters and cousins, and delighted in her grandchildren.

Pearl was laid to rest in Bethania Cemetery after a service at St. John's Lutheran Church in Wheaton, IL.

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Thomas J. Burke

September 26, 1940 -- January 6, 2004

Thomas J. Burke, 63, passed away Tuesday, January 6, 2004 at his residence. Tom was born in Chicago, Ill. on Sept. 26, 1940, son of the late Henry and Margaret (nee: Ziemer) Burke.

Tom was the beloved husband of Debby (nee Copeland) Burke; loving and much loved father to Judy (Dan) Thorne, James (Cheryl) Burke, Joseph (Lisa) Burke, Jennifer (Mark) McInnis; Grandfather to Megan, Adam, TJ, Nicholas, Margaret Grace, and Matthew; brother of Richard (Pat) Burke; loving stepfather to Christopher (Lu) Barbeaux, Melanie (Tom) Stinson, Melissa (Brad) Lindsley; special friend to Kimberly and Fred Musselmann and dear friend to many. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter Joanne, his brothers John and Bill.

Tom was a Master Lithographer and member of Graphics Communicators International Union for 40 years. He retired from Golden Books in 2000 after 18 years employment. Tom loved fishing, trains, old cars, and the Cubs. Above all, he loved his family and was a gentle, loving man who lived his life with honor and dignity.

After funeral services January 9, 2004,Thomas Burke was interred in Babcok Cemetery, Babcock, WI.

He was a descendant of our immigrant ancestor Martin G. Ziemer, a grandson of Willie Ziemer and Margaretha Kaiser.

SOURCE: Obituary clipping from newspaper datelined "RACINE"

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Marilyn J. Warnke

October 11,1942 -- July 3, 2003

Marilyn J. Warnke, nee Stoeckig, died at Central Du Page Hospital in Winfield, Illinois on July 3, 2003. Born in Chicago October 11, 1942 to Evelyne Heinrich Stoeckig and the late Erwin Stoeckig, Marilyn graduated from Luther High School South and Chicago Teacher College. She taught in the Chicago Public Schools and served as a volunteer with the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church of Glen Ellyn for 28 years. Funeral services were held there on July 8 before interment at Bethania Cemetery.

She is survived by her husband of 33 years, Fred Warnke; sons Kurt, Eric, and Craig; and by granddaughter Alexis; also by her mother Evelyne, brother Ron, and sister Christine Stoeckig.

Marilyn was the granddaughter of Harry Heinrich and Bertha Frey, and a great-granddaughter of Fritz and Theresa Roloff Heinrich.

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Janice A. Vervlied

January 21, 1938 - February 20, 2002

Janice A. Vervlied, nee Hennig, passed away rather suddenly on Wednesday, February 20, 2002. She was survived by her husband *Charles P. Vervlied; two sons: Stephen and Jeffrey; and grandchildren Jeffrey and Jacob. She was the daughter of Adeline Oldenburg Hennig and the late Gustav Hennig, and the sister of the late Carol Hennig Krueger. She was a devout member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Tinley Park, Illinois, from whence her funeral proceeded to interment at Bethania Cemetery on Saturday, February 23.

Janice was the granddaughter of Lydia Heinrich Oldenburg and William Oldenberg; she was the great-granddaughter of Fritz Heinrich and Theresa Roloff who emigrated to Chicago from East Prussia.

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*Charles P. Vervlied, born July 19, 1935, died July 20, 2002.


Ronald Lee Ziemer

November 16, 1956 - January 18, 2002

Ronald Lee Ziemer of Schaumburg, Illinois passed away January 18, 2002 at Loyola Hospital in Maywood after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife Pamela Kay (nee Neuzel), and children Sunny Elizabeth and Joshua Lee. He was the son of Donald Martin Ziemer of Florida and the late Ruth Gunther; brother of the late Donald Ziemer, Jr.; Dawn Ferrara; Donna Hietikko; and Debbie Figueroa.

Ron was a loving husband and father who was admired for his helpfulness to friends and family, especially with all things mechanical. He will be remembered for his sense of adventure, and his mischievous nature will be missed as well. He founded and ran a successful machine tool business; he enjoyed music and good times, played guitar and wrote songs.

Ronald was a descendant of Martin G. Ziemer and Caroline Bonow through their son Frank Carl Ziemer, and of Fritz Heinrich and Theresa Roloff through Bertha Heinrich Ziemer. His paternal grandfather was Harold Frank Ziemer.

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