Seraphia Christine Uhlenhake

Monday, March 6, 2017 6:37 pm

Seraphia Christine Uhlenhake, 97, of Ossian, died Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017, at Ossian Senior Hospice, Ossian. Visitation was Friday, March 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Ossian, with a 4:45 p.m. Catholic Daughter’s Rosary and a 7 p.m. vigil service. There will also be a one-hour visitation before Mass at the church Saturday. Mass of Christian Burial is at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Ossian, with Rev. Robert Gross as the celebrant. Burial followed at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Cemetery, Ossian. Schmitz-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Ossian, helped the family with the arrangements.

Seraphia Christine was born Jan. 3, 1920, in rural Ossian, to Theodore and Christine (Gehling) Uhlenhake. As a young woman, Seraphia worked with her parents on the family farm and soon began her lifetime calling as a Catholic priests’ housekeeper, serving at many parishes in the Archdiocese of Dubuque. Her longest tenure was for Rev. Vincent Simon for whom she worked for 45 years. They retired to Ossian in 1991, and Fr. Simon passed away in 2004. Seraphia became a resident of the Ossian Senior Hospice following a broken hip in November of 2013. Everyone who encountered Seraphia recognized her as a woman of deep faith. She cherished a special devotion to the Blessed Mother. Seraphia greatly enjoyed the company of family and friends, kept an immaculate house and was an excellent cook. Seraphia was a very nurturing person, caring for her parents until their deaths, helping her niece Joyce every week until she passed away, and making it a point to reach out to others. She treasured being with her family, loved outings, took part in the many activities offered at the Ossian Senior Hospice, and especially enjoyed playing cards until the end of her days. Seraphia was an early member of the De Sales church choir, a member of Catholic Daughters Our Lady of Victory Court No. 983 for 76 years, and was as an honorary member of the St. Francis de Sales Rosary Society.

Seraphia is survived by her nephews: Roger (Denise) Uhlenhake, Richard (Colleen) Uhlenhake, Robert (Teresa) Uhlenhake, Gene Uhlenhake, David (Terry) Uhlenhake, Jerome (Janet) Uhlenhake, Garry (Marlys) Uhlenhake, Joseph Uhlenhake and Brian (Michelle) Uhlenhake; her nieces: Kristine (David) McCormack, Bonita Ehler, Bernice (Loras) Steger, Elaine Uhlenhake, Colleen (David) Luzum, Joyce (David) Justis, Connie (Linn) Hvitved, Mary Lynn (Daniel) Schmitt and Barbara (Michael) Byers; and also by many great and great-great-nieces and nephews.

Seraphia was preceded in death by her parents, Theodore and Christine Uhlenhake; siblings: Aloysius (Florence) Uhlenhake, Cletus (Mildred) Uhlenhake and Greg (Alma) Uhlenhake; nephew, Craig Uhlenhake and nieces, Jean Ann Uhlenhake and Carol Uhlenhake.

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