William "Bill" Ziemke

In Loving Memory Of

William “Bill” Dean Ziemke

William Ziemke, the son of Arnold and Fairy (Kepler) Ziemke, was born on April 17, 1929 in Springdale Twp., Redwood Co., MN. He grew up near Garvin, MN and Tracy, MN and attended school and graduated from the Tracy High School in 1947. Bill served in the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Hawaii. Bill was united in marriage to Dora Obina on February 23, 1952 in Hawi, Hawaii. After their marriage they moved to Minnesota and lived in Green Valley for a year and then moved to Marshall for a year. They then moved to Garvin and in 1988 they moved to Lake Shetek. Over the years Bill worked as a Bulk Fuel driver for Lyon County and later for MN DOT, retiring in 1991. In 2005 they made their home in Lake Wilson. Bill passed away unexpectedly on Monday, February 19, 2018 at Murray County Medical Center in Slayton, MN at the age of 88. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lake Wilson and past member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy and Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Currie, MN. He also was a member of the Currie American Legion. Bill had served as the Mayor of Garvin, a past Commander of the Garvin American Legion Post 222 and a Constable for Garvin. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, playing pool and socializing with friends and especially spending time with his grandkids. Bill was an avid sports fan of the Minnesota Twins, Vikings and Gophers.

Survivors include his wife, Dora Ziemke of Lake Wilson, MN; 5 children, Diane (Benny) Brennecke of Marshall, MN, Jerry (Karen) Ziemke of Garvin, MN, Deb (Brian Hunter) Ziemke of Sioux Falls, SD, Rob (Elaine) Ziemke of Germantown, MD and Penny (Melvin) Rutledge of Apopka, FL; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 5 step grandchildren; 4 step great-grandchildren and sister, Joyce (Dick) Obenauer of Kapaa, HI. He is preceded in death by his parents, son, Michael Ziemke and four brothers, Arlo, Roy, Alton and Melvin Ziemke.

Funeral Services

Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Currie, MN at 10:30 AM on Saturday, February 24, 2018 with Msgr. R. Paul Heiting and Thien Nguyen concelebrating.  The organist is Patty LeClaire. The song leader is LoAnn Hansen. The pallbearers are his grandchildren, Todd Ziemke, Mark Staufacker, Andy Ziemke, Bradley Ziemke, Isaiah Rutledge, Jacob Rutledge, Brian Ziemke, Zach Aufenthie, Jenna Boomgaarden, Katherine Ziemke, Cassie Ziemke and Jasmine Rutledge. Interment at Calvary Cemetery Tracy, MN.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. The Totzke Funeral Home in Slayton is assisting the family with arrangements.

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