Henry "Hank" Lemke , 92 - Stevens Point News

Henry “Hank” Lemke, age 92 of Stevens Point. passed away Monday morning January 20, 2014 at St. Michaels Hospital.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Henry will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday January 25, 2014 at St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception Parish in Custer. Rev. Jude T. Dioka will officiate. Burial will be in the parish cemetery at a later date. Friends and relatives will gather to share memories from 4:00 – 8:00 PM on Friday at the Shuda Funeral Chapel – Stevens Point. A general rosary will be prayed at 6:30 PM. Visitation will also be held on Saturday from 10:00 – 10:45 AM at the church.

Henry was born April 16, 1921 in Torun, the son of John and Prakseda (Wierzba) Lemke. He worked on the family farm and also did logging with his father. He married Cecelia Bruski on October 27, 1945 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Polonia. After marriage Henry worked for many years in Milwaukee. He was a member of the International Union of America Laborers Local #330 for over 50 years. Henry continued working in construction in the area over the years for various firms including: Miron Construction, Ellis Stone and Consolidated Construction Co. Among the projects Henry worked on building are Maria High School, Consolidated Paper Mills, UWSP buildings, St. Michael’s Church in Jct. City, Sentry Golf Course, and Jackson Elementary School.

During this time Henry was also involved in working the Lemke Farms in Mill Creek and Custer. He also worked for a time at Point Bakery and various drywall and plastering firms. Henry’s last major project was assisting Ken Lepak in 1998 with the cleaning of the bricks from the old Lullabye Furniture building to be re used for the construction of the St. Faustina Room at St. Peters Church. Henry was a long time member of St. Mary’s in Custer and for the past 10 years he also attended weekly mass at St. Peters Catholic Church in Stevens Point.

Henry was a active participant and volunteer at the Lincoln Center, he enjoyed all the summer church picnics, Polka music, playing cards, fishing, reading, gardening, and hunting. He also loved picking strawberries and blue berries. In the past 10 years Henry became an avid Packer fan and toured the new stadium in Green Bay. He was also active in the care of his two sisters Jennie and Helen in their later years. Henry loved family celebrations including his own 90th birthday celebration, he stayed active until just this past December when he took ill.

Survivors include his sons: Greg Lemke, Bancroft, LeRoy (Rose) Lemke, Stevens Point, his daughters: Trish Mrozek (Ken Lepak) Stevens Point, Cindi (Mike) Oligney, Stevens Point, Nancy Clussman, WI Rapids, Corrine Krubert, Burlington; his grandchildren Rebecca Lemke, Bob Lemke, Maria (Tony) Thurow, TX, Denise Mrozek (Mike Lothe),

Jessica (Dan) Bemowski, Jason (Erin) Mrozek, CA, Jennifer (Noel) Teeter, Adam (Karen) Clussman, MN, Joe Clussman, David Clussman, Michael (Rensha) Ciepluch, Paul Ciepluch (Amy), great-grandchildren: Ashley, Alex and Gabriella Thurow, Scott and Kendra Cisewski, Abigail and Alexis Bemowski, Baylee and Noah Mrozek, Mike and Chris Teeter, Adam Jr Clussman, Michael Jr, Sofia, Christopher and Reno Ciepluch, Braden & Riley Ciepluch. He is also survived by his sisters; Ann Lemke, Milwaukee, Regina Lemke, Chicago. He is preceded in death by his wife Cecelia Bruski, his brothers, Peter, Frank, Roman, sisters; Helen (Frank) Gollonik, Jennie (Ossie) Klabon, Agnes Maurer, FL, an infant sister Theresa and his grandson Arthur “Archie” Ciepluch.

The family would like to thank St. Michael’s hospital ICU and 2nd floor East staff, the East wing staff of Portage County Care Center for the compassionate care they provided during his Journey of life. Memorials will be set up at St. Mary’s in Custer and the Lincoln Center in Stevens Point.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.shudafuneral.com