Obituary

Had been ill two Weeks before his Death
but his Illness was not considered Serious-Funeral was Held Friday

  John Ocken, Sr., an old time resident oŁ Breda, passed away at his home Tuesday, July 27, at 4 p.m., after an illness of two weeks, the cause of his death was heart failure. He had been suffering from a weak heart for two weeks but at no time was his condition considered serious until a few minutes before his death when he received the fatal stroke. At the time of his death he was 66 years, three months and twenty-one days old.
  John Ocken was born in Sitting hausen, Germany, April 5, 1849. On October 29, 1875 he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Schaefer. To this union eight children were born, one died in infancy. Those living are Mary, now Mrs. Henry Puttman of Lake Preston, S. D.; John A.; Theresa, now Mrs. Herman Woerdehoff; Elizabeth, now Mrs. George Wess; Joe; Anna, now Mrs. John Wolterman; and Henry, all residing in and near Breda. Besides his wife and children one sister, Mrs. Mattens in Germany, still survives him.
  In the year 1882 he crossed the ocean and with his family came to Carroll county where they settled on a farm. Later they moved to Breda and he commenced working on the section, the last fifteen years that he worked on the section he was boss of this division. About twelve years ago he quit the railroad and was a marshal for a few years, later he was janitor at the Catholic church. About five years ago he commenced operating a cream station which position he held up to the time of his death.
  The deceased was a man of moderate habits, and a good provider for his family. He was well liked by all who knew him. His sudden departure from this earth will be greatly mourned by his wife, children and all those with whom he came in contact with daily.
  The funeral services were held Friday morning at 8:30 at St. Bernard's Catholic church of which he was a devoted member, officiated by Rev. B. Loeffelholz, and the remains were laid in the Catholic cemetery.
The Palbearers were B. H. Woerdehoff, H. H. Bohnenkamp. Joseph Olerich, Henry Bruning, Wm. Heisterkamp, and Andres Ziegler. - Breda News.
(The Carroll Times, Iowa, Thursday, August 12, 1915, p. 6)