BERNICE E. PUNKE
Bernice E. Punke, 94, of Edgar, Wis., died Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010 at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield.
She was born Dec. 21, 1915, in Chicago, Ill., daughter of the late Nicholas and Hattie (Mau) Alther.
On Sept. 18, 1935, she married John Punke in Goodrich, Wis. He preceded her in death on Jan. 16, 1986.
Among her favorite pastimes, she enjoyed crocheting, embroidery, gardening, bird watching and baking homemade bread and other goods. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include, seven children, Leonard (Nancy) Punke of Stratford, Raymond (Linda) Punke of Stratford, Dorothy (Gerald) Bauman of Chippewa Falls, James (Carol) Punke of Newton, Wis., Betty (Steve) Knetter of Edgar, Kenneth Punke of Stratford and Elsie Punke of Stratford; nine grandchildren, Suzette (Rodney) Gove of Mishicot, Cindy (Brian) Schumacher of Oostburg, Gerald Bauman Jr. of Chippewa Falls, Cheryl Bauman, Tammy Hanlon of School Hill, Thomas Punke of Kiel, Timothy (Nicole) Punke of Sheboygan, Brian Knetter of Edgar, Kathy Knetter of Marshfield; 13 great-grandchildren Bethany and Alyssa Gove of Mishicot, Stacy, Garret and Caleb Harmeling of Oostburg, Shannon and Christopher Bauman, Ashley Hanlon of School Hill, Cassandra Siech of Chilton, Madison and Ethan Punke of Kiel, Kennedy and Isaac Punke of Sheboygan; one sister, Evelyn Siewert of Green Bay; one sister-in-law, Helen Wendt of Wausau; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents and husband, John, she was preceded in death by an infant son, Elmer Punke; her son, Hilbert Punke at age 19; one grandson, Ardell Punke; one granddaughter, Mary Knetter; one grandson-in-law, Todd Harmeling; one sister, Dorothy Adelt; and four brothers, Willard, Harvey, LeRoy and Edward Alther.
Funeral services were held on Saturday morning, Aug. 28, at St. Stephen Evangelical Lutheran Church in Edgar. The Rev. LaDonna Ekern officiated. Burial was in the Edgar Cemetery.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home in Edgar is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences at www.peterson kraemer.com.
