Beatrice Oelke

Beatrice M. Oelke, 81, died April 11, 2012, surrounded by her family at Colonial Manor Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center, Wausau.
She was born on July 17, 1930, to the late Theodore, and Ann Marie, in Wausau. In July of 1954, Beatrice married her best friend, Carl Oelke. Together they raised their four children, and eventually enjoy the special gifts that grandkids can give. After graduating high school, Beatrice went on to take some classes at Chicago Floral Art School. When her training was complete, she came back and worked with her parents at Wausau Floral. In 1977 Carl and Beatrice took over ownership, together they operated it until his death in 1987, her love of the floral industry kept her there until 1999.
She enjoyed doing many things over the years; she was an avid card player, she was a member of a bridge club. Although she was around flowers, and plants all the time, Beatrice still enjoyed taking care of her own garden at home. She also enjoyed reading, her cats, camping, swimming, and cooking. Beatrice's children share many fond memories of their mom, but the most memorable one is of her driving. Although she could see well enough to put together beautiful flower arrangements, her eyesight wasn't the best, so this made for interesting trips in the car.
Beatrice will be sadly missed by her four children, Ann (Richard) Stoeckmann, Merrill, Fay Oelke, Wausau, Dwight Oelke, Wausau, and Elton (Heather) Oelke, Norman, OK; 11 grandchildren, Greg (Jenny) Oelke, Wausau, Heather Oelke-Hubert Wausau, John and Seth Stoeckmann, Merrill, Kathrine (Michael) Taylor, Tomahawk, Lucas Neumann, Las Vegas, NV, Lance Neumann, Wausau, Meagan and Mark Oelke, Gainesville, FL, Matthew (Sarah) Oelke, Norman, OK, and Martin Oelke, Bremington, WA; one sister in law, and one brother in law, Emily and Rudolph Schlief, Merrill.
She was preceded in death, by her husband, parents, and siblings.
A funeral service will be 11:30a.m. on Monday, April, 16, 2012 at St. Stephens Lutheran Church, Wausau. Pastor Gary Froseth will officiate. Visitation time will be 9:30a.m. until the time of service at the church. Burial will follow immediately after the service, at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. You may sign our family guestbook at helke.com.