Dean Elske

ELSKE, DEAN N. Watertown Dean N. Elske, age 73. Loving husband to Sharon; dad to daughter, Kimberly and AFS daughter, Sonia; "Poppa" to grandchildren B.J., Becky & Laura and AFS granddaughters Kimberly and Adriana - passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by family, on June 4, 2013. Dean was born in Columbus, WI on March 16, 1940, youngest child of Walter and Dorothy Elske, nee Hempel. He graduated from Reeseville High School in 1958 and received a degree from Dunwoody Institute, Minneapolis in 1960. He was married to Sharon Fehling on April 28, 1962 at Salem Lutheran Church in Lowell, WI. Dean worked at the A. Kramp Company and then Clyman Oil Company, of which he was part-owner, and manager of the Watertown station. Throughout his work career he was an auto & small engine mechanic and sold snowmobiles, snow blowers, lawn mowers, and other lawn implements. Dean was known throughout the area as an honest and hard-working businessman. Dean retired in 2010. Outside of work Dean was active in the Clyman Lions Club. He was a charter member, current chapter president and former V.P., secretary, membership chairman & director. Dean was a Melvin Jones Award winner and Progressive Melvin Jones Award winner. Dean was also a member of the Watertown Auto Club, was an accomplished hunter (both in Wisconsin and abroad in Africa), and enjoyed spending time at their vacation home on Lake Shishebogama in Minocqua, WI, watching Nascar and the Green Bay Packers, and traveling with family and friends - visiting places such as the Caribbean, Jamaica, southern Europe, Costa Rica, and countries throughout Africa. Dean was a former member of Salem Lutheran Church, Lowell and St. John's Lutheran Church, Juneau, and was currently a member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Watertown. Among Dean's greatest joys were his wife, daughter and son-in-law, grandchildren, AFS family, extended family & friends, and faithful companion and loving pet, Coco. Dean is preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy and Walter Elske, a nephew, Joel Erickson, in-laws, Carl & Gertrude Fehling, brothers-in-law, Harvey, James, John & Robert. He is survived by his wife Sharon Elske, nee Fehling, one daughter, Kimberly (Bill) Steiner of Menomonee Falls, three grandchildren, William "B.J.", Rebecca, and Laura Steiner, all of Menomonee Falls, one A.F.S daughter, Sonia Salas Abarca, San Jose', Costa Rica, two A.F.S. granddaughters, Kimberly (Jason) Soto Salas and Adriana Soto Salas, both of San Jose' Costa Rica. One sister, Judith (James) Erickson of Minocqua, WI, one brother, Lyle (Louise) Elske of Columbus, WI, one sister-in-law, Betty Pocius of Reeseville, WI, numerous nieces & nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, and other family and friends. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 11 AM at St. Luke's Lutheran Church with Pastors Anthony Schultz, Mark Gartner and James Babler officiating. Family and Friends may call on Friday from 4 - 8 PM at Schmutzler-Vick Funeral Home and Cremation Home and on Saturday from 9 to 11 AM at the church The service will be followed by a luncheon at Watertown Country Club. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be given to St. Luke's Ev. Lutheran Church Rainbow Hospice, or Clyman Lion's Club. The family wishes to thank Dr. Terry Turke and staff of Watertown, Dr. Mark Juckett and the hematology staff at University of Wisconsin Health Clinics, UW Health Partners at Watertown Regional Medical Center, Pastor Schultz and the other pastors at St. Luke's Lutheran and the wonderful that cared for him at Rainbow Hospice. The kindness shown to Dean will not be forgotten.