Horst Christopher Gierke

MIDDLETON - Horst Christoph Gierke, of Middleton, passed away in Madison, Wisconsin, on May 3, 2025, at the age of 91. Horst was born in Landsberg an der Warthe, Germany, (present-day Gorzów Wielkopolski, Poland) on Christmas Eve, 1933, to Erna (neé Manthei) and Wilhelm Gierke.

He grew up on a farm in Belgard in Eastern Pomerania, Germany (present-day Białogard, Poland), where his father was a farm manager and his mother ran a general store. At the end of WWII, Horst’s family was displaced from their home, and his baby sister, Heidrun, tragically died in the post-war circumstances in Belgard. Horst, his mother, and his brother, Harald, were moved to Berlin, where they were assisted by the Red Cross. They managed to get to West Germany via an empty British and American supply train in the night. The family arrived in Hildesheim, West Germany, where they were eventually reunited with Horst’s father, Wilhelm. Horst’s parents and his brother Harald settled in Heidelberg. Meanwhile, at the age of 15, Horst remained in Hildesheim to complete his Abitur (high school diploma) from the Scharnhorstschule in 1952, followed by an apprenticeship at the dairy of the Stieghahn family, with whom he lived.

In his early 20s, Horst worked as an apprentice cheesemaker in Winterthur and Zurich, Switzerland. In 1959, Horst worked for Südmilch, a large dairy plant based in Stuttgart, Germany, before completing his master’s in dairy engineering in Gelnhausen, near Frankfurt. In 1960, Horst emigrated by steamship to the United States. Horst worked in the Dairy Science Department at Michigan State University in East Lansing from 1960-1963. In 1963, Horst moved to Madison, Wisconsin, where he worked at Babcock Hall at the University of Wisconsin as a food scientist and research lab manager. Horst became involved with the German community with the Turner Club and met many dear friends. Horst sang in the Madison Maennerchor for years and played soccer for the Madison 56ers Soccer Club.

In October 1970, Horst and Carla Gierke (neé Watson, d. 2023) were married and started a family in Middleton. Horst completed a teaching certificate in German Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison before working as a German teacher in DeForest, Madison, and Sauk City. Horst returned to Babcock Hall at the University of Wisconsin to continue his work in food science. In the 20 years of their marriage, Horst and Carla had three daughters, ran a horse stable on Twin Valley Road together for many years, and raised beef cattle, chickens, and German shepherd dogs. Horst loved the outdoors, nature, gardening, farming, playing and watching soccer, singing, dancing, and reading literature and philosophy--especially Goethe and Martin Luther.

In 1993, Horst built his home on Twin Valley Road with a plan to restore the natural forest and prairie along the section of the Black Earth Creek that ran through his land. He was very proud of his tree plantation and enjoyed the wildlife that took refuge in this restored habitat. In his retirement, Horst often babysat his preschool-aged grandchildren there, and they also had the opportunity to watch birds and deer with him and identify turtles and wildflowers on their walks. Being a food scientist, he prided himself on making nutritious meals with only the very best ingredients. We will all remember our regular Sundays at Grandpa’s house with his homemade beef noodle soup and his delicious puddings.

Horst was preceded in death by his parents, Erna and Wilhelm; his brother, Harald; and his sister, Heidrun. Horst is survived by three daughters and six grandchildren, Ellen Fox (Sean and Mary), Karin Zuegge (Ian and Emily), and Lisa Gierke (Jon Netzler; Beatrice and Henry).

There will be a private graveside service at the historic First Lutheran Church Cemetery in Middleton. An informal celebration of life will be held at PAUL’S NEIGHBORHOOD BAR, 2401 Parmenter St., Middleton, at 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2025.

In lieu of sending flowers, the family requests that you plant a tree or other native plants in his memory, as Horst worked hard to preserve the natural prairie and forest on his land.

“Wenn wir der Erde Vertrauen schenkten, könnten wir aufwachsen wie die Bäume.”-Rainer Maria Rilke

Translation: “If we trusted the earth, we could grow like the trees.”

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761