Mildred Dorothy Lemke, 97, of Fort Atkinson, passed away on August 21, 2024 surrounded by her family. She was born on July 30, 1927 at a century-old farm in Lake Mills Township and baptized in the name of the Triune God at First Congregational United Church of Christ, Lake Mills, Wisconsin. Preceding her in death was her husband, Norman “NFL” Lemke, parents Edna (nee Rumpf) and Thomas Alexander, brother Ralph (Phyllis) Alexander, and sister Marie (H. Ben) Krueger.
She is survived by children David (Cheri) Lemke of Lake Mills, Mary (Randy) Rusch of Kokomo, Indiana, John Sr. (Christine) Lemke of Fort Atkinson, and Steven (Michelle) Lemke of Fort Atkinson. Also by grandchildren Keri (John) Smith, Tiffany Lemke, John Lemke Jr. (Erin), Bill Lemke, Tim Lemke, Adam (Kimberly) Rusch, Peter (Kristen) Rusch, Andrew (Sarah) Rusch, and Nathan Lemke. Also by great-grandchildren Alisha (John), Cody (Lindsey), Desiree, Brandon (Katelyn), James, Augustin, Adeline, Aledandra, Matthew, Charlotte, Cecelia, Alexander and Maxwell. Also by great-great-grandchildren Preston, Finn, Beau, and Viola. And by many nieces, nephews, and other family members who loved her.
Mildred graduated from Lake Mills High School and following in her mother’s footsteps she received a degree from Whitewater Teacher’s College and taught at a country schoolhouse. In 1945 she met a serviceman returning from the European theater of World War II who would take her dancing. They married on July 12, 1947. Norman Lemke was the love of her life and she often reminded him of how lucky he was to have her.
Quickly becoming an integral part of the Lemke family, she spent a lot of time with her brothers and sisters-in-law swapping stories or playing cards late into the night at home or on the trips they took together. Mildred and Norman started their own family in 1949 and she found a career first as a sales associate with Montgomery Ward and then as an office assistant at NASCO. Many years after her retirement she returned as a featured model in the NASCO catalog produced by her grandson who led the design work.
Mildred sought to give back to the community through her volunteer work. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a greeter at the Hoard Dairy Museum. As a member of First Congregational Church – United Church of Christ in Fort Atkinson, she loved being part of the Lend a Hand ministry and the peanut production crew. As a Fort Healthcare Partner she served at Fort Memorial Hospital and was passionate about the Love Lights fundraiser.
For her family, Mildred made dozens of cookies each Christmas season and organized work days at the family farm that she and her husband had dedicated their lifetime to acquiring and improving. She kept up the “Hilton on the Hill” to host visitors calling from out of town and could be counted on to bring a jar of homemade pickles or a crock of baked beans to any gathering of family or friends.
A funeral service will be held for Mildred Lemke at Eleven O’Clock in the morning on August 30, 2024 with a visitation for family and friends starting at Nine-Thirty in the morning. The visitation and service will be held at First Congregational Church – United Church of Christ of Fort Atkinson located on Milwaukee Avenue. A lunch for remembrance and fellowship will immediately follow the service.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be offered to the Fort Memorial Hospital Foundation or the First Congregational Church – United Church of Christ, Fort Atkinson. With love and gratitude for the time that was given, we entrust the soul of Mildred to our resurrected savior, Jesus Christ, who calls all believers to his arms now and forever, amen.
Dunlap Memorial Home in Fort Atkinson is assisting the family.
Mildred Dorothy Lemke
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