Obit: Humke, Harold (1917 - 2007)

Contact:  Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Humke, Biggs, Fischer, Payne, Gant, Tenpas, Zienert, Winters, Franzmeier, Schweinler, Timmerl, Slock, Stafford

----Sources: Wisconsin Rapids Tribune (Wis. Rapids, Wood County, Wis.) March 28, 2007

Humke, Harold (22 Nov. 1917 - 27 March 2007)

Harold Humke

Harold Humke, 89, of 163 Wood Ave., Nekoosa, died Tuesday, March 27, 2007, at his home. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Nekoosa United Church of Christ. Pastor Mary Anne Biggs will officiate. Burial of the cremains will take place at a later date in Greenwood.

Harold was born Nov. 22, 1917, in Greenwood to Theodore and Adeline (Fischer) Humke and grew up on the family farm. He was a graduate of Greenwood High School. He married Eunice Payne on May 29, 1949, in Neillsville, Wis.

Harold worked as a cheesemaker, received a teaching certificate from Stevens Point Teacher's College, and taught at a rural school in Braun Settlement before returning to Stevens Point to complete his degree. Harold received his bachelor's degree from Wisconsin State University-Stevens Point and a master's degree in school administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Harold and Eunice moved to Nekoosa in 1950, where he taught and was a school principal at Nekoosa Elementary School until his retirement in May 1983. He was very surprised and deeply honored to have Nekoosa Elementary School renamed to Humke Elementary School at the time of his retirement. He was an active member of the United Church of Christ in Nekoosa and sang in the church choir for many years. He was a charter member (1951) of the Nekoosa Lions Club and was active in the club until the time of his death. Harold was a past recipient of the Melvin Jones Award.

Harold enjoyed his career in education and thought very highly of the teaching and support staff he had the pleasure to live with. His love of gardening produced many fresh vegetables for family, friends and rabbits. He also enjoyed playing cards at Friday Morning Men's Club and his many crossword puzzle books at home. He was very proud and took great pleasure in his seven granddaughters and four great-grandchildren.

Harold is survived by his wife, Eunice; two daughters, Susan (Terry) Gant of Neenah, and Mary (Joel) Tenpas of Wisconsin Rapids; one son, Mark Humke of Rosemont, Minn.; one brother, Everett (Mary) Humke of Rochester, Minn.; seven granddaughters, Karie (Jason) Zeinert, and Jessica Gant, both of Neenah, Jamie Gant of Waupaca, Dana Tenpas of Madison, Allison Tenpas of Stevens Point, and Ellie and Hannah Humke of Rosemont, Minn.; four great-grandchildren, Lily, Maya, Jack and Parker; many nieces and nephews; and his good friend, Bruce Winters.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Esther Franzmeier, Irma Humke, Irene Schweinler, Rosa Timmler, Cora Slock, and Vera Stafford; and brother, Herbert Humke.

Memorials may be designated to HIPO (Humke Involved Parents Organization), Nekoosa Lions Club Scholarship Fund or the Nekoosa United Church of Christ.

A memorial visitation will be held at the Feldner/Ritchay Funeral Home of Nekoosa from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, and Saturday at the church from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.