Frank and Anna Marie (Barkmeier) Ekeler
50th Wedding Anniversary
April 26, 1948
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Frank and Anna Marie (Barkmeier) Ekeler celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Exeter, Nebraska. Their son, Msgr. John F. Ekeler, celebrated Mass on their wedding anniversary. |
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Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ekeler, Sr. were honored Monday, April, 26, on the golden anniversary of their marriage. The observance began in the morning with special services at St. Stephen's Catholic Church, starting with a procession from the rectory in which the reverend clergy and all the altar boys accompanied the jubilations to the church. In the procession Mr. and Mrs. Ekeler were just ahead of their eldest son, Very Rev. John Ekeler of Crete. A solemn High Mass was celebrated by Very Rev. Ekeler assisted by Rev. Joseph Kenny of Denton as deacon and Rev. C. Stirn of Milligan as sub-deacon with Rev. T. Kadlec, O.S.C. of Friend acting as master of ceremonies. Others present in the sanctuary were Rev. F. G. Mock of Beatrice, Very Rev. J. F. Hennessey of Sutton, Rev. James Gilroy of Geneva, Rev. Paul Ulenberg of Shickley, Rev. A.A. Antochowaki of Exeter, Rev. Downey of Ulysses, Rev. L. Obrist of Lincoln and Rev. Piorkowski of Cortland. Rev. Antochowaki delivered an impressive sermon in which he congratulated Mr. and Mrs. Ekeler on the great occasion. It was their great privilege to receive a special Apostolic Blessing from the Holy Father, His Holiness Pope Pius XII, and congratulations from the Apostolic Delegate, the Most Rev. Amleto C. Cicognani. His excellency L. B. Kucera, Bishop of Lincoln, honored the jubilations by sending them the most sincere congratulations. Both letters were read before the sermon. The senior choir chanted the Mass in honor of St. Mary Euphrasia under the able direction of Rev. Antochowaki with Manning Coakley at the organ. The altar was artistically decorated with fresh flowers, foliage, gold leaves and appropriate emblems. At noon, 110 guests were entertained at dinner at the I.O.O.F. Hall, served by women of the church. The tables were beautiful with crystal candelabra, white and gold tapers, spring flowers and appropriate favors. The table for honor guests had for its center piece a bouquet of bridal wreath roses. Rev. Mock acted as toastmaster and Rt. Rev. Gilroy and Very Rev. Ekeler gave responses. In the afternoon more than 200 friends called. The sons and daughters-in-law greeted the guests and served refreshments. Miss Mary Ann Ekeler, a granddaughter, had charge of the guest book. Mr. and Mrs. Ekeler received many lovely presents among which were a purse of $200 and two gold rosaries from their sons and their families and a statue of the Sacred Heart from Bishop Kucera of the Lincoln diocese. A total of 98 cards were received. Mr. and Mrs. Ekeler were married in St. Stephen's Church and have spent all their married life in this community, the past 39 years on the same farm northwest of town. They were the parents of 10 sons, one of whom, August, died when a small child. The others are the Very Rev. John Ekeler of Crete, Dr. Louis Ekeler of David City, Frank Jr., Henry, William, Fred, Joe, Leo and Alfred, all of Exeter. There are 14 grandchildren. The entire community joins in extending good wishes and paying respect to this highly esteemed couple and their family, all of whom have contributed much to the community.
Fillmore County News
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Obituary Frank Ekeler, Sr., was born January 1, 1871 at Westendorf, Germany. In 1887 at the age of 16, he came from Germany to Nebraska. Death came suddenly to Mr. Ekeler at the age of 81 years, 9 months and 9 days on September 9, 1952. During his youth and early manhood, Mr. Ekeler worked as a farm hand in the vicinities of Exeter and Friend. April 26, 1898, Mr. Ekeler was united in marriage to Anna Barkmeier at St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Exeter, Nebraska. To this union were born 10 sons, one son, August Ekeler, preceded him in death in infancy. Over forty years ago, Mr. Ekeler and his family moved from a farm east of Exeter to a farm northwest of Exeter where he passed away. Mr. Ekeler will be remembered as a pioneer of St. Stephen's Catholic Church and School. He served as a member of the church board during the erection of the church and the school and for many years after. Mr. Ekeler devoted his interests mainly to his family and church. Funeral services were held at St. Stephen's Catholic Church, his son Msgr. John F. Ekeler was the Celebrant at a Requiem High Mass assisted by Fr. William A. Murphy as Deacon, Fr. Joseph A. Keany as Subdeacon and Fr. Durr, Master of Ceremonies with Msgr. Patrick J. Healy delivering the sermon. Bishop Louis B. Kuchera of the Lincoln Diocese and thirty-five neighboring priests and many relatives and friends were in attendance at the funeral mass. Mr. Ekeler leaves to mourn his passing his beloved wife Anna; nine sons, Msgr. John Ekeler of Crete, Dr. Louis Ekeler of David City, Frank Ekeler, Jr., Henry Ekeler, Joseph Ekeler, Fred Ekeler, Leo Ekeler, William Ekeler and Alfred Ekeler all of Exeter. Also 21 grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends. Burial was in the Exeter Cemetery.
Fillmore County News
Anna Marie Barkmeier was born in Westendorf, Germany on January 7, 1879 and came to this country with her parents at age 10. On April 26, 1898, she was united in marriage to Mr. Frank Ekeler, Sr. at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Exeter, Nebraska. To this union were born ten sons. Death came to Mrs. Ekeler on April 28, 1973, after a short illness at the age of 94 years, 3 months and 21 days. She lived in the Exeter community all her life. Her main interests were her family and church. Funeral services were held at St. Stephen's Catholic Church on Tuesday, May 1, 1973 with Msgr. Ingenhorst officiating. Burial was in the Exeter Cemetery. Mrs. Ekeler leaves to mourn her passing her sons, Dr. Louis Ekeler of Lincoln, Henry Ekeler, Joseph Ekeler, William Ekeler, Leo Ekeler, Alfred Ekeler, and their families all of Exeter; one brother William Barkmeier, Exeter; one sister, Sister Mary Raphael of Chicago; 32 grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren; and a host of relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Ekeler, Sr.; four sons, August Ekeler, in infancy, Msgr. John Ekeler, Frank Ekeler, Jr., Fred Ekeler; six brothers and 3 grandsons.
Fillmore County News
This is tribute to one who played an important part in the history, development, and Christian life in the Exeter community and St. Stephen's parish. Anna Barkmeier came to Nebraska from Germany at age 10. She, her parents and brothers resided on a farm near Exeter where she grew to womanhood amid hardships of the times. She married Frank Ekeler and lived on a farm close to Exeter. Those days found one's faith in God and in each other, ingenuity, stamina and their own two hands necessary to face hardships. Anna Ekeler was a competent little character. She was cook, laundress, seamstress, nurse and assistant butcher. Her's was not an eight hour day. Yet, she was never too tired to teach her little brood the fundamentals of religion and life. Her trust in God was explicit and the exemplary life she led was to have its effect on her family and their later environment. Anna gave our community nine sons who were her pride and joy. What besides her character, virtue, and charity did she give to the parish, community and state? In a nutshell this: One priest, one doctor, one merchant, six tillers of God's green earth or in other words - nine fine Christian citizens. Eight sons married giving her the daughters she'd always wanted plus the many grandchildren making her life complete. Anna moved into Memory Manor due to reaching that age when she needed an assist here and there throughout a 24 hour day. There she endeared herself to staff and residents with her cheery attitude, concerns for others, willingness to help the aides with mending and making beds, persuading reluctant eaters to eat meals or take a needed nap, etc. She was a ray of sunshine and model of character to all. Each day found her resting once or twice but never idly - always praying her rosary.
Thus she closed her book of life at age 94. A book of accomplishments to lay the rest of us mortals to shame.
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