Harold A. Punke

Harold A. Punke, 90, died May 19, 2016 at his home in Athens. He was born on April 11, 1926 in Marshfield, WI., the son of Rudolph and Ada (Tremelling) Punke. He spent his childhood years on a farm near Marshfield where he attended the Dairy Belt Grade School and Marshfield High School. During his senior year, his family purchased a farm in Athens. He graduated from Athens High School in 1944. It is here where he met and later married his sweetheart, Dorothy Schriefer, on August 19, 1950. Harold lived and did daily chores on the family farm up until his recent illness in the summer of 2015. Faith, family, farming, and music were things of most importance to him. He was also an avid reader of novels and enjoyed listening to the daily news and current events. He was a fountain of wisdom and guidance for his children and grandchildren. Harold enjoyed writing a collection of poems that told short personal stories with a twist. The farm was always filled with the sounds of piano playing and family sing-a-longs. Occasionally, if you were lucky, Harold would dust off his accordion and play a tune reminiscent of his days in a band. In his semi-retired years, he and Dorothy spent a great deal of time in their garden. Harold served on the Athens Coop Board as director and board secretary. He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Athens. He served as president and held several other positions on the church council. The church and church family were very important to Harold and a source of great strength and comfort throughout his life. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Punke, who resides at Benedictine Living Center of Wausau; three sons: David ( Mary Ann) Punke, Fox Lake, IL; Marty (Michele) Punke, Mount Pleasant, MI; John (Kathy) Punke, Athens; and Lynn (Glen) Luetschwager, Athens. There are nine grandchildren: Stephanie (Mark) Rickmeier; Molly (Ben) Sturm; Rachel Punke; Tyler Punke; Adam (Emily) Punke; Danny Punke; Sara (Richard) Paul; Jamie (Jason) Scott; and Jeff (Ericka) Luetschwager. He leaves twelve great grandchildren; three sisters: Elaine (Alan) Mortenson; Loretta (Wallace) Emmerich; and Lorraine (Richard) Schedler; one brother-in-law, Harry Caskey; and many loved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one sister-in-law, Florence Caskey, and one nephew, Randy Mortenson. Funeral services will be 3:00 pm Sunday, May 22nd, 2016 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Athens. Rev. Mark Schwalenberg will officiate. Burial will be in Athens Lutheran Cemetery. Friends may call on Sunday from 1:00 pm until the time of the service at the church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com The family wishes to give a heartfelt thanks to Sam, Shelley, Laurie and Rachel from Hospice Care, for the loving and gentle care they provided for our dad. Memorials in honor of Harold's memory can be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church and School, 301 Elm St., Athens, WI 54411.