Lenhard F. Oelke

Lenhard F. Oelke 83, Wausau, died Monday, November 8, 2004 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was born November 13, 1920 in the town of Marathon, son of the late August and Lydia (Ristow) Oelke. On May 19, 1951, he married Lucille Schewe in the town of Hamburg. She survives. Lenhard served in the US Army for four years. During his tour, he served with the #762 Shop Battalion in Iran for eight months, then in Germany for ten months. He worked for the Marathon County Highway Department for 35 years, retiring in 1975. Besides being a talented woodcraftsman making crafts for the Talent Shop, family and friends, Lenhard was an avid sportsman. He was a member of the American Legion Montgomery Plant Post #10 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Burns Post #388, both of Wausau. Besides his wife, Lucille Oelke, Wausau, survivors include one sister, Olive Fondow, Oshkosh; half brother, Roderick (Mary) Soukup, San Ramon, Calif.; many nieces, nephew, great and great great nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Eleanora Schultz, Dorothy Weiland and Linda Matzke; two brothers, Wilbur and Raymond Oelke; one step sister, Fern Fuller. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 12, 2004 at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Wausau. Rev. Bruce Lamont officiate. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau were full military honors will be conducted by American Legion Montgomery Plant Post #10 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Burns Post #388, both of Wausau. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday November 11, 2004 at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau and again from 9:00 a.m. Friday until the time of services at the church. Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com