Gerald “Jerry” Lemke, 68, of Rib Mountain, passed away Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, at Mount View Care Center in Wausau.
He was born Dec. 14, 1945, in New London to the late Louis and Lucille (Prellwitz) Lemke and graduated in 1964 from Shawano High School. Jerry was a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving in the U.S. Air Force. On Aug. 11, 1984, Jerry married Shirley Cook at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Wausau. They made their home in Rib Mountain, with Jerry working as an assembler for Greenheck Fan. He retired in 2011 after 27 years with the company.
Jerry will be remembered for his dedication to family, steadfast work ethic and sense of humor. For as long as he was able, he loved to hunt and fish, especially for walleye and panfish on Lac Vieux Desert. He doted on family pets and rooted for the Brewers, Badgers and Packers.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Shirley, of Rib Mountain; daughter, Heather, of Milwaukee; brother, LeRoy (Betty) Lemke, of Ocala, Fla.; and brother-in-law, Bill Druckrey, of Oshkosh.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Carol Druckrey, and his brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Eileen Lemke.
Funeral services will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014, at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 6205 Alderson St., Schofield, with full military honors to follow. The Rev. Raymond Connor will officiate. Visitation will be at the church on Thursday from 3 p.m. until the time of the service.
A guest book is also available at helke.com.
Memorials may be directed to Aspirus Regional Cancer Center, 215 N. 28th Ave., Wausau, WI 54401.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Harish Ahuja and staff at the cancer center, Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Service, and the staff at Mount View Care Center for the care they gave Jerry, and their neighbor, John, for his visits and assistance.