Obituary: Milton M. Lemke - Class of 1944

MADISON - Milton M. Lemke, age 81, died on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2006, at the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center. He was born on June 10, 1925, in Madison, to Charles and Flossie (Ellis) Lemke. Milton graduated from Madison Central High School. He served in the U. S. Naval Air Force during World War II. Milton married Lucille "Lu" DeRuyter on Aug. 28, 1947, in Sheboygan. He was a conductor for Chicago/ Northwestern Railroad for 38 years, retiring in 1983. Milton was a charter member of Lakeview Moravian Community Church, a member of V.F.W. Post No. 7591 and the Moose Club. He was proud to grow up in the "Bush," where he learned the color of a person's skin or their religious convictions didn't matter. A lesson Milton passed on to his children. His hardy laugh and long stride from years of walking the rails won't be forgotten. Milton is survived by two sons, Mark Lemke and Michael (Rose) Lemke, both of Madison; four grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; a sister, Doris Davis of Platteville; and four brothers, Clayton Carson, Robert Carson and Clair Carson, all of Madison, and Jack Carson of Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his wife. Memorial services will be held at LAKEVIEW MORAVIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH, 3565 Tulane Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 4, 2006, with the Rev. John McCarthy presiding. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. Memorials may be made to Lakeview Moravian Community Church. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on August 2, 2006.

Note: Milton M. Lemke's class year is based on information in a list of Central High School graduates published in the Wisconsin State Journal on June 9, 1944. He is listed among the boys who had withdrawn from school and were to receive legislative diplomas (Armed Forces).