"Pat, Paul and family, I remember your mother always having a smile on her face. She truly did seem to glow from within. You once had a party after a ball game and I remember thinking it certainly was nice of your folks to allow so many of us to come out and fill the house! May the many wonderful thoughts of your folks bring a smile in the days ahead. Sincerely, Laurie"
In loving memory of
Greta Aukes
March 27, 1923 - August 30, 2010
Greta Aukes, age 87, of Woden, Iowa died Monday, August 30, 2010 at Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, Iowa.
Funeral Services will be Saturday September 4, 2010 at 1:30 PM at the First Reformed Church in Buffalo Center, Iowa, with Pastor Bill Peake officiating. Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery in Buffalo Center, Iowa.
Visitation for Greta will be from 5-7 PM on Friday September 3, 2010 at Winter Funeral Home in Buffalo Center, Iowa.
Greta Aukes was born on March 27, 1923 near Titonka, Iowa to John E. and Etta (Rippentrop) Sleper. She graduated from the Titonka High School in 1941. Greta was married to Walter Aukes on February 20, 1948 at the Ramsey Reformed Church near Titonka.
She loved farming and worked as a true partner with Walter in their family farming operation. Whether driving a combine or a tractor, she always shared the long hours during planting and harvest seasons with him.
Greta was an avid gardener. She loved sharing, canning and freezing garden produce. She also enjoyed sharing old canning and sauerkraut making techniques with family and friends, and cooking and baking for them in her kitchen. Her kitchen table was always a gathering place for a good visit and a cup of coffee.
She took special delight in her grandchildren, forever offering them sound advice and common sense with a sparkle in her eye. This “tough cookie” baked many dozens of tender and loving cookies and pies for them.
She served as a church organist for most of her adult life. She played for many services, weddings and funerals and often filled in as church organist for various congregations in the region until Walter became ill last summer. She and Walter also sang duets together for many church services and funerals through the years.
Greta was a spirited game player. She enjoyed many board and domino games with her grandchildren and many card games with family and friends around the kitchen table.
Greta died on August 30, 2010 surrounded by family and love at the Muse Norris Inpatient Unit of the Hospice of North Iowa, where she received most loving and gentle care following an intracranial hemorrhage on August 25, 2010.
She is survived by her twin children, Paul (Mary) of Madison Lake, Minnesota and Pat Barnes Chadwick (John) of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Bill Aukes, Lindsay Barnes Arrieta (Yeison), Matt Charlson (Wendy), Celia, Rebecca and Miranda Chadwick, three great-grandchildren, her sister, Edna Balvance, sisters-in-law, Erna Sleper and Clara Klasse, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter, her parents, an infant son, two brothers, Evert and Joe Sleper, and three sisters, Annie Boomgarden, Margaret Stecker, and Mildred Miller.
Tributes
"To the Family of Greta, So sorry for your loss. Greta was a dear lady and I always enjoyed visiting with her. May God give you His peace and comfort through these difficult days ahead."
"Our parents were friends for many years. God be with you as you adjust to life without them. My sympathy to you and you aunts. bd"
"Because of a wedding, we were unable to attend the visitation last evening, & will not be able to attend the service this afternoon. I am so sorry! But I will cherish the last memory that I have of Greta, when she recognized me at Walter's visitation--I hadn't seen her for many years prior to that day. I am Karen Brown Monson, formerly from rural Woden (1/2 mile north of Ben & Frances Aukes) the daughter of Richard & Viola Brown. I'm sure you don't remember me, but through Ben & Frances, we came to know your parents. Please accept our sympathy, & know that we will be with you in thoughtful prayer these days. Sincerely, Karen & John E. Monson"
"Mrs. Pat, Linzi and Family ... you all are in my prayers and thoughts. May God's loving hand touch you and give you comfort through the days ahead."
"Our prayers are with you all during this time. I remember Greta from the Congregational Church, she was always so nice. Hold onto your memories."
"We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Greta's family. Greta was a lovely person. It is very hard to say goodbye to the people who were contemporaries of our parents. She is at peace at last as are our own parents. Our thoughts and prayers go with you!"