Gregory Paul Wilke, 82

Gregory Paul Wilke died Friday, January 26, 2018 at Willowbrook Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Lake Mills. He was 82 years old.

He was born February 1, 1935, the second son of the late Reuben and Jane (Hettinga) Wilke. He married Roberta Elaine Ziegler on September 5, 1957. He was preceded in death by his wife Roberta in 2013, and sons Alan and David in 1977 and 1999.

He was a graduate of Wausau High School, then attended Grand Rapids School of Bible and Music, now known as Cornerstone University.

Greg served with the US Air Force from 1956 to 1960. He had a long and varied career, using his salesmanship skills with the family business, Wilke Windows, Mid-American Medical Services, Multi, Inc, and the State of Minnesota. He completed his work life as a tool and die operator at Neosho Custom Tool. When not working Greg spent time doing woodworking projects-refinishing and refurbishing furniture as well as making new pieces. He spent time with his sons and grandson hunting and fishing. He was a reader, with his favorite genre being Westerns, and he loved to sing.

He and his family resided in Tucson, Arizona, Wausau, Antigo, Marshfield, Osseo and Watertown, Wisconsin. In each of these locations Greg was active in a local church. During the time they resided in Marshfield, Greg was the driving force behind the first Thanksgiving Community dinner. Since coming to Lake Mills in 2013, Greg has attended Real Hope Community Church, where he loved joining in the singing.

Survivors include his daughter, Cami Wilke of Jefferson; son Steve (Lalie) Wilke of Lake Mills; daughter-in-law Susan Wilke of Johnson Creek; a sister, Penny (Dave) Reid of Singapore; 3 brothers, Rod Wilke of Scottsdale, AZ, Bernie (Marilyn) Wilke of Phoenix, AZ, and Webster Wilke of Ames, IA; 8 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and multiple nieces and nephews and their families.

Greg’s family would like to extend our sincere thanks to the staff of Willowbrook for the wonderful care and friendship they have shown to him over the past several years. He loved “the girls” as he called them, and he always kept track of what was going on in their lives.

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, February 17th at 11 am at Real Hope Community Church, 1345 Stonehedge Lane, Lake Mills.

Visitation will be from 9:30 am up to the time of the service at 11.

Burial will take place at a later date at Elmwood Cemetery in Antigo.