Back in the year of 1872, William Hedke, a native of the Province of Posen Prussia in Germany decided to make America his future home. Alone and ambitious to take passage westward and landed in May of that year. By industry and thrift he managed to send for his companion and two small daughters who arrived the same fall. It is the eldest of these two children that we have written a brief memorial tribute. Emma Hedke was born at the same location as her parents on June 15 in the year 1869, between 3 and 4 years old when beginning her residence in this community. She attended school in both the Randolf and later in the Heller districts, securing the limited education available in that early day. Growing to womanhood she in due time made the acquaintance of a young man of this neighborhood who with his parents have arrived from the same country three years before her own. This friendship was the beginning which led to the uniting of the lives of Herman Vogelsang and Emma Hedke on Sept. 29, in the year of 1889.

Equipped by nature with a desire to better themselves, and with the ambition and industry to accomplish this, they began farming west of Winkler, where they lived for about 11 years as the continued in their vocation.

They became the happy parents of nine children who have all continued to reside not far from the neighborhood home. In 1900 at the turn of the century they moved to another home about three and a half miles west of Randolph thus being near to market and likewise to school for the benefit of the growing children. This has been the family fireside the balance of their lives.

For about 32 years she accepted and capably filled the place of helpmate and mother and her personal attributes of management, devotion, and love of farm life never diminished. Her garden, flowers, and general interest in all aspects of a farm home bore mute but visible evidence of this.

Then in the year of 1921 the first great sorrow entered her life when death removed her companion, thus adding responsibilities to an already well filled existence. These were accepted with her usual calmness and fortitude and she continued to be able advisor and counselor of her fatherless children.

Later on in her busy life death again robbed her of two daughters, Mrs. Ellen Vawter and Mrs. Paulyne Fosha. It was her ability to meet all conditions in life with serenity and face each pleasant of difficult experience with determination that endeared her to her family and made her a fine neighbor and friend.

She had never sought for outside social contact, to any extent, being content to enjoy the happy relationship of a congenial family circle. Until about two years ago she had been in fair health, but at that time a warning of impending illness was noticed. From this she had apparently made a satisfactory comeback, until some days ago when she became seriously ill. She was removed to a hospital to secure the best of care, but even though suffering she was non-complaining. After about a week, death claimed her at the end of a well filled life of 80 years, 6 months and 16 days.

Remembering a loving mother are the two sons, Henry and Walter and the five daughters, Mrs. Anna Fitzpatrick, Mrs. Lillie DeWyke, Mrs. Louise Daniels, Mrs. Nellie Toburen, and Hanna of the home. In these families there are also seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Likewise three sisters, Mrs. Pauline Henry, Mrs. Ellen Laird and Mrs. Bettie Olson and five brothers, William, Fred, Henry, Charles and Edward. Most of these reside in or near northern Riley county and none outside of the state of Kansas. Other relatives and many friends will carry kind recollections of her cheerful and well spent life. The hope of another life to be granted but the resurrection of our beloved dead is scripture's promise designed to comfort those who mourn.

Service in her memory were held at 2 p.m. in the Chelander-Eshbaugh Chapel on Tuesday, January 3 by J. W. Chelander with burial in the Fancy Creek Cemetery.