Obit: Ziehlke, Gerald Ray (1929 - 2018)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Brede, Czerniak, Eckdahl, Frank, Heinz, Ploeckelman, Revels, Ziehlke

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 10/18/2018

Ziehlke, Gerald “Jerry” Ray (3 AUG 1929 - 14 OCT 2018)

Gerald “Jerry” Ray Ziehlke, 89, of Medford, passed away at his home on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018 under the care of Hope Hospice and Palliative Care.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 321 N. Park Ave., Medford. Jerry’s family will greet friends and family at the church from 9-11 a.m. Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Little Black.

Jerry was born on Aug. 3, 1929 in Little Black to Henry Sr. and Elida (Eckdahl) Ziehlke. Jerry went to a one room school through eighth grade. At the age of 11 he worked out west in the wheat fields. He also worked on his parent’s farm as a child. Jerry graduated from high school at the age of sixteen. He again went out west to begin his career as a lineman. At age 18, Jerry married the love of his life, Bernadine N. “Bernie” Brede on Aug. 3, 1947. Together they had two daughters.

Jerry and Bernie worked together and had many accomplishments. He worked full-time for the Medford Electric Utility until he retired. During those working years, they also raised mink, had a stump removal business, owned a Montgomery Ward’s Catalog Store and in later years, Ziehlke’s Furniture. He was also a self-taught carpenter and built six homes. In his spare time, he loved to fish, hunt, camp and travel. Jerry was a wonderful storyteller with a great sense of humor.

Jerry was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Bernie in 2015. They were married 68 years and Jerry missed her every day. Jerry was also preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Henry Jr. and Roy.

Left to honor Jerry and remember his love are Jerry and Bernie’s two daughters, Carol (Tom) Ploeckelman and Terrie Revels (Wayne); four grandchildren, Jenna (Mike) Heinz, Ron (Tracy) Ploeckelman, Matthew Czerniak and Rachel Revels; four great-grandsons, Jacob and Mitchel Heinz and Adam and Andrew Ploeckelman; his sister, Sharon Frank; and many in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Jerry and his family would like to extend a very grateful thank you to the wonderful team of caregivers who lovingly cared for Jerry and Bernie the past five years.

Hemer Funeral Service of Medford and Rib Lake has been entrusted with arrangements.

Online condolences can be left at www.hemerfuneralservice.com.

Obituary: Ziehlke, Bernadine N. “Bernie” (Brede)
http://www.wiclarkcountyhistory.org/6data/121/121575.htm