Geraldine M. Oelke

Geraldine Oelke 81, town of Stettin, died at Aspirus Wausau Hospital Sunday, February 14, 2010 of natural causes. She was born at home on July 10, 1928 in the town of Berlin, daughter of the late Clarence Sr. and Minnie (Bartelt) Leistikow. She graduated from Merrill High School in 1946. As a young lady she met Lyndon Oelke at a country dance and on June 12, 1948 they were married at Immanuel Lutheran Church, town of Corning. She was preceded in death by her husband on January 13, 2010 and her sister Verna Kleinschmidt. Geraldine started work at Fromm Brothers while still in high school and also worked as a switchboard operator in Merrill. Together with her husband they built a life focused on the family, using their farm to teach the values of hard work and honesty. When not working with her family or caring for them, Geraldine enjoyed her flower garden and listening to polka music. Survivors include her seven sons, Robert (Anne) Oelke, Randolph, William (Kai) Oelke, Marathon, John (Cindy) Oelke, Stockholm, Jeffrey (Carmen) Oelke, Cazenovia, David Oelke, Marathon, Mark (Kim) Oelke, Spring, TX, and Michael (Sylvia Hysong) Oelke, Houston, TX; thirteen grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one sister, Lavera Hildebrand, Merrill; two brothers, Gerald (Sally) Leistikow, Merrill, and Clarence, Jr. Leistikow, town of Corning; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m., Saturday February 20, 2010 at Trinity Evengelical Lutheran Church, 1008 N. 120th Ave., Wausau. Rev. Philip J. Bogen will officiate. Burial will be in Stettin Christian Cemetery. Relatives and friends are welcome at the church beginning at 10:30 a.m. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon is in charge of arrangements.