Obit: Humke, Irvin G. (1924 – 2018)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Humke, Rajaofera, Sheets, Braun,,Bussen, Berge, Humphrey, Topercer, Horn, Toburen

Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, WI) 24 Oct 2018

Humke, Irvin G. (21 NOV 1924 – 9 OCT 2018)

Irvin G. Humke, 93, Greenwood, passed away in his sleep in the early morning of Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018, at Marshfield Medical Center. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., on Friday, Oct. 26, at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Greenwood. Rev. Asafa Rajaofera will officiate and burial of cremains will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 9 a.m. until time of service.

Irvin George Humke was born on Nov. 21, 1924, in the town of Warner, rural Greenwood, to George H. and Lelah P. (nee Sheets) Humke. Irvin graduated from Greenwood High School in 1942 and then attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He worked on his uncle’s farm, worked alongside grandma at the beauty shop, subbed at the post office and then later became a rural mail carrier where he delivered mail for more than 46 years, retiring in 2000. He continually went above and beyond his job description to help those along his route. Broken mailbox, he’d fi x it. Too much snow to get the mail delivered, he would shovel it. He did it all with a smile on his face. Irvin married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Ann Braun, on Feb. 5, 1944. That same year they welcomed their son, Dennis. They enjoyed time with family and friends, Wisconsin and local sports, singing in the church choir, Rural Letter convention trips (many of which they would take a grandkid or two), yearly fi shing trips with friends, dinners at the lake with family, attending their grandchildren’s school events with ice cream cones after, and just being with each other. Irvin was a loving and generous grandpa to five grandchildren: Michael (Lisa) Humke of Dodgeville, Michelle (Andrew) Bussen of Waunakee, the late Jennifer (Matthew) Berge of Valders, Heather (Dan) Humphrey of Madison, and Rachel (Benjamin) Topercer of Bristol. He loved sharing the company of his seven great-grandchildren: Brianna Humke, Ryan Bussen, Caroline Berge, Otis Berge, Reese Humphrey, Joshua Topercer, and Avery Topercer. Irvin was a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Memories of grandpa include car trips to Sault Saint Marie, lunch breaks on the route checking in with what the grandkids had grandma up to, holiday gifts from people on his route that he shared with us, overnights on the pull-out couch, deer hunting season, walks to check out the creek, trips to the post office to watch him work, June Dairy Days parades in front of the beauty shop on the curb with endless tickets for rides, and KFC and Wildwood Park. Nothing was off-limits, play with everything, taking a drive just because, road trips to Eau Claire to shop and he’d sit near Prange Way and wait, stopping along the way at one of the many apple orchards in the fall, always encouraging the importance of higher education and college, “don’t put all your eggs in one basket”, aka diversify, lunch at Arby’s, $20 dollar bills, and so much more. We were beyond blessed to have him in our lives.

Irvin is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Dennis (Millie) Humke of Greenwood; his brother, Paul (Rose Caryl) Humke of Greenwood; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Shirley; two brothers: George Jr. and Harvey; three sisters: Verona Jackson, Jeanette Horn, and Ruth Toburen; and his granddaughter, Jennifer Berge. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks for the care provided to Irvin (grandpa) at Stoney River Assisted Living Center in Marshfield, and Marshfield Medical Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Immanuel United Church of Christ in Irvin’s name.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com. 

Cuddie Funeral Home, Greenwood, is assisting the family with arrangements.