Wesley Stiemke
November 14, 1927 - December 24, 2021
Obituary
MONONA - Our loving father, Wesley Bernard Stiemke, age 94, was welcomed into God’s heavenly arms surrounded in love by his family, on Friday, Dec. 24, 2021. He was born on Nov. 14, 1927, in Watertown, the son of Bernard and Hattie (Fenner) Stiemke. Wesley graduated from Watertown High School with the class of 1945. On Aug. 17, 1957, he was united in marriage to Ethel Ernst and together they celebrated 59 loving years.
Wesley grew up during World War II, and following graduation, he enlisted in the Army and proudly served from 1946-1947. Wesley was an active member and volunteer of Lake Edge Lutheran Church, where he was on the church council and enjoyed singing in the church choir. He had a passion for handball, tennis and bicycling. Wes was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hiking and bird watching. He worked as a printing estimator for Straus Printing for over 35 years, retiring in 1991. Following retirement, Wesley enjoyed volunteering at Meriter Hospital, singing with the Monona Singers and attending Elderhostels around the U.S. with Ethel.
Wesley is survived by his three daughters, Susan (Mark) Quinnell, Sally (Jim "Butch") Nachreiner and Sara (Dan) Kerwin; seven grandchildren, Annie (Kendra) Getschel, Ashley (Dylan White) VanNeck, Ali (Andrew) Rex, Emily (Brian Tolly) Quinnell Tolly, Evan Quinnell, Erin (Brendan Kim) Kerwin and Sam Kerwin; six great-grandchildren, Ascher, McKinley, Archer, Quinn, Talia and Krew; and five nieces and one nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ethel; and his sister, Evelyn (Karl) Schuchter.
A funeral service will be held at LAKE EDGE LUTHERAN CHURCH, 4032 Monona Drive, Madison, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022. Burial will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at the church from 1 p.m. until the time of the service on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lake Edge Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Facemasks will be required for the funeral service and visitation.
As Wes would say, “Keep a song in your heart.”
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
Events
Visitation
Sat Jan 8, 2022 @ 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CDT
Lake Edge Lutheran Church • 4032 Monona Dr, Madison, WI 53716
Funeral Service
Sat Jan 8, 2022 @ 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM CDT
Lake Edge Lutheran Church • 4032 Monona Dr, Madison, WI 53716
Photos
No photos of Wesley have been shared yet.
Memories
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Shirley Birkle
Other •
My thoughts and prayers are with Wes’s family. Wes was just the nicest person around. I am so glad I went to visit Wes last summer! We talked about all the good times we had when my my husband Don worked at Straus too. Remember our fun picnics girls? Wes and Ethyl were always a joy to be with. When I left Wes he said to keep a song in my heart , and I will🎼 . God Bless you with comfort,peace and love, Shirley Birkle
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Tribute Store
Other •
Sending our love, support,, and condolences to Susan and the Stiemke family...Your St. Olaf friends...
ML
Mark E. Lefebvre
Other •
Early in my life, I was blessed to work with Wes at Straus Printing. I knew so little and he knew so much. He was an excellent teacher, always guiding with a gentle hand and good humor. He was a sweet, sweet soul. My condolences to his family. Mark E. Lefebvre
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Susan Frisch
Other •
My deepest sympathy in your loss.May the good memories you have shared over the years help you at this time.Due to this recent new covid I will not be able to attend the funeral at Lake Edge. Sue Frisch