Obituary of Kenneth John Tauke

Kenneth J. Tauke, 67, of Dyersville, Iowa died Saturday, October 3, 2009 at Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque from complications of a stroke. Friends may call from 2 - 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, 2009, at the Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville where a parish scripture service will be held at 2 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tues., Oct. 6, 2009, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Phil Kruse will officiate. He is survived by his wife, Norma, 2 children: Sherry (Dean) Loeffelholz of Earlville, Mark (Diane) Tauke of Earlville, 5 grandchildren: Alex and Jay Loeffelholz, Avery, Peyton and Tessa Tauke; 2 sisters, Mary Ellen (Vernon) Recker of Dyersville, and Nancy (Steve) Deutmeyer of Asbury; 2 brothers: Tom (Joanie) Tauke of Greeley and Scott Tauke of Manchester; and a brother-in-law: Roger (Carolyn) Silhanek of Belle Plaine; a sister-in-law, Donna (Charlie) Vaske if New Vienna, and two brothers-in-law: Dale (Pat) Demmer of Dyersville and Gary (Kay) Demmer of Farley. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters: Judy in infancy and Carol Ann Silhanek. Ken was born June 29, 1942, in Dyersville the son of Clarence and Loretta (Lammers) Tauke. He married Norma K. Demmer on Sept. 17, 1969, in Farley, Iowa. Together they farmed West of Dyersville until health issues slowed him down and he relinquished his responsibilities to his son, Mark. Ken and Norma met at a dance in Worthington and enjoyed dancing all of their married life. His life's passion was farming and his greatest joy were his five grandchildren.