Lottie Taake

Lottie Taake died peacefully at her home near Ullin, Illinois, on Thursday, May 28. Lottie was born on July 14, 1924. The second child of seven children born to Reverend Gerhard Oberheu and Nellie E. (Schlothauer) Oberheu. All seven children were born in Trivandrum, India, where Reverend Oberheu spent 23 years as a Lutheran missionary. Lottie went to Kodaikanal International School, in Tamil Nadu, India, a boarding school for the missionary families. Lottie, along with her mother and siblings left India to come to the states in May of 1942 as World War II was threatening India. Lottie finished high school at Paducah Tilghman High School in Paducah, Kentucky. Lottie then attended Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky, where she received a BS in Home Economics Degree. Lottie then taught Home Economics for one year at Tamaroa High School in Tamaroa, Illinois and a year at Gore School in Olmsted, Illinois. Lottie then met Clarence Taake of Ullin, Illinois. The couple were married on July 23, 1949, at Saint Luke’s Lutheran Church in Olmsted, Illinois, by Lottie’s father, Reverend Oberheu, who was the pastor of Saint Luke’s at that time. Lottie and Clarence purchased the New Hope School, remodeling it as a place to raise their four children. It is there they lived for over 50 years, Lottie was a 4-H club leader for the New Hope 4-H Club, Pulaski County Chairman of the American Heart Association for many years, and member of the Pulaski-Alexander County farm Bureau where she served on their Women’s Committee. She was also a judge for the Pulaski County Fair and a past member of Pulaski County Homemaker’s Extension. Lottie was also a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Marion, Illinois, where she is known for spearheading their Angels for Christmas program, coming up with different angel designs to mail and pass out to the community advertising the Church’s upcoming Christmas programs. She was a founding member of the church’s quilting group, making quilts for Lutheran World Relief and a member of WELCA. Lottie is survived by her children; Pam Hannan of Ullin, Mark (Donna) Taake of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Beverly (Duke) Noble of Lincoln, and Roger (Patrizia Perrone) of Portici, Italy. Lottie is also survived by her grandchildren: Tracy Aranico, Jennifer (Alan) Dolan, Rachel Hannan, John (Aly) Hannan, Rebecca Tally, Kari (Eric) Starzinger, Erin (Clay) Randol, Tatyana (John) Keeler, Lena Taake, Alex Taake, and Yefry Taake. And by her great-grandchildren: Blake, Carly, and Grant Aranico, Will Dolan, Myla Hannan, Layton and Lydia Randol, and Anastasia Jameson. And by her brothers: John C. Oberheu of Jacksonville, Florida, Victor (Jane) Oberheu of Danville, Virginia, and Stuart L. Oberheu of St. Louis, Missouri. Lottie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Clarence; her sisters Antoinette Oberheu, Irene Strelow, and Anita Landmeier; sisters-in-law Lucy Oberheu, Susan Oberheu and Sarah Taake; brothers-in-law John Landmeier, George Kenneth Taake, and William F. (Bill) Taake. Also, preceded in death by son-in-law William F. (Fred) Hannan. Known for her large garden, Lottie’s gooseberry pies and zucchini relish were highly requested. Lottie loved the Lord, her family, her church family, sewing, cooking, and chocolate ice cream. A drive through visitation for the public will be from 5-8 pm Tuesday, June 2 at the Ullin Village Park, 601 Ullin Ave., Ullin, IL. Please use the entrance by the Civic Center (gymnasium). Private graveside services will be at New Hope Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church or New Hope Cemetery. Envelopes will be available at the park or at Crain Funeral Home.

Lottie Taake

July 24, 1924 - May 28, 2020