Stephen M. Oelke

Stephen M. Oelke, 65, of the Town of Empire, died unexpectedly on Monday, July 28, 2014, at his residence of coronary disease. He was born January 11, 1949, in Fond du Lac, the son of Ernest and Irene Petasek Oelke. He was a 1967 graduate of L.P. Goodrich High School. He married Linda Jaeger Deanovich on May 4, 2012, in Fond du Lac. Steve was a veteran of the US Army serving from 1969 to 1972. He was formerly employed by Wisconsin Power & Light/Alliant Energy Co. for over 36 years, retiring in 2005. He was a member of Eagles Aerie #270, Trier-Puddy American Legion Post #75, and Wings over Wisconsin. Steve enjoyed playing sheepshead, cribbage, bird watching, hunting, fishing, gardening, walking his “back 40’s”, and spending time with his family.

Surviving is his wife, Linda, his two daughters, Kelly (Jude) Mengel of Fond du Lac, and Toni Oelke (Keith Abler) of Mt. Calvary, three grandchildren, Sam and Max Mengel, and Taylor Torgersen, two brothers, Ernie (Rose) Oelke of Miami, OK, and Marv (Marie) Oelke, of Fond du Lac, five sisters, Sharon Solamita of Fond du Lac, Helen Oelke of The Villages, FL, Sue (John) Snider of Fond du Lac, Irene “Renie” (John) Ziegler of Fond du Lac, and Julie (Ed) Basler, of Fond du Lac. He is further survived by two step-daughters, Angee Deanovich and Pam (John) McCarthy, both of Fond du Lac, a step-son, Jeff (Pam) Deanovich of Fond du Lac, and nine step-grandchildren, Kevin, Colin, Cassidy, Carlin, Clay, and Caleb Deanovich, and Kahri, Kami, and Sam McCarthy. His parents, a brother, Lee, and his first wife, Alice Bergman Schuman, preceded him in death.

Visitation for Stephen M. Oelke will be on Thursday, July 31, 2014, from 4 to 8 PM at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, and again on Friday, August 1, 2014, from 10 to 11 AM at the Church of Peace, 158 S. Military Road, Fond du Lac. Funeral services will be at 11 AM on Friday at the church. Rev. Jennifer C.M. Dawson will officiate. Cremation will follow the services. Inurnment of cremated remains will be in Ledgeview Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date. Additional information and guest book may be found at www.ueckerwitt.com