Arthur D. Dahlke

Arthur DuWayne Dahlke, age 80, went to his eternal home on Sunday, October 15, 2017 with his loving family by his side at his home. Arthur was born on June 23, 1937 to Arthur Carl and Emma Christine (Schroeder) Dahlke. He was a twin with his sister, Ardyce (Dahlke) Wilson. He was baptized in 1937 and confirmed in 1951 at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Arthur attended Enterprise Elementary School except for one year when he attended Newton Elementary School since Enterprise burned down. He continued his high school education at Viroqua High School where he graduated in 1955.

Arthur was an athlete playing baseball and football throughout his life. He was on the varsity baseball team as a freshman, he was co-captain as a senior, and he batted over .500. He also played baseball for the county league since he started pitching batting practice at age seven. He was able to join the league at age 12. At one time he had 15 straight hits. He continued playing softball for many different teams. Arthur was a teammate, a coach, and a manager for local baseball teams from Stoddard and Chaseburg until his early 40s. He also coached and managed Little League Baseball teams and Chipmunk Coulee 4-H Softball teams. After retiring Arthur became a golfer, playing on a Senior League at Pine Creek Golf Course and with his brother Darold at Valley High Golf Course. He also played at a variety of courses up in northern Wisconsin and at local golf courses with his children and grandchildren.

Arthur was an avid Chicago Cubs fan since he was five years old. He was also a Green Bay Packer, Milwaukee Braves/Brewers and Wisconsin Badgers fan.

When he was a child, he saw a picture of a Boston Terrier dog on a calendar. He told his mother that he was going to get one of those dogs one day. When he was 18 years old, he bought his first Boston Terrier, Lady. Throughout the years he had the privilege of owning and raising many Boston Terriers, including the perfect dogs "Rex" and Angel.

While a student at Viroqua High School, Arthur met the love of his life, Frances Berg. He contracted Rheumatic Fever his junior year, and had to miss a whole semester of school. "The School paper stated that he came down with romantic fever which was caused by Frances." They were married August 9, 1958 at Northwest Prairie Lutheran Church, rural Viroqua. They were happily married for over 59 years.

He was a devoted father to Merri, Sharon, Lynda and Mark, making sure that they all received religious instruction and all would graduate from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. In 1995 Arthur even received a special plaque from the chancellor of UW-L for his commitment to higher education. He was also a leader with Chipmunk Coulee 4-H for many years.

When Arthur was about seven years old, he was quite precocious. After pestering the threshers for some time, they dunked him in the cow tank and christened, "Herman" which was a nickname that he was called the rest of his life. Arthur grew up on a farm until he moved to La Crosse where he worked at Furniture Distributors, Firestone, Ed Phillips & Sons (28 years), Delicious Foods and then School District of La Crosse from 1988-2003. He was a member of the Teamster's Union. While working for Ed Phillips & Sons, he would often have his children join him on his routes during their summer and holiday vacations.

He was also a lifetime member of St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chaseburg, WI, serving on church council and as an usher. He rarely missed church unless he had a very good reason.

Family vacations were extremely important to Arthur. As a family we drove to all 48 continental states, Mexico and Canada. He especially enjoyed Niagara Falls, Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks. Arthur and Frances had a vacation home north of Hayward where they spent many days enjoying the beauty of the area.

Arthur is survived by his wife, Frances (Berg) of 59 years, daughters: Merri (Doug) Shupe of Onalaska, Sharon (Mark) Reichenbach of Mendota Heights and Lynda (Brian) Knobloch of La Crosse and son, Mark (Sarah) Dahlke of Onalaska. He is further survived by grandchildren: Andrew (Jessica) Reichenbach, Jordyn Reichenbach, Chrys, Alex, Nick and Catie Shupe, Carolyn and Caitlyn Knobloch and Katie, Ashley, Zach and Ryan Dahlke and a great-grandchild, Analeigh Reichenbach and step-great-grandchild, Ian Wright. Arthur is also survived by his twin, Ardyce (Mervin) Wilson and sister, Bernelle Skrede and brother Darold (Elaine) Dahlke, sisters-in-law Phyllis Dahlke, Ardis Severson and Dorothy Berg, brothers-in-law, Stanley (Cecelia) Berg, Donald (Barbara) Berg and Alvin (Lois) Berg, many nephews, nieces, friends and other relatives. He is also survived by his dogs, Mindy and Angel.

Arthur was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Darlene Helm, sister-in-law, Esther Stokke, brother, Donald Dahlke, brothers-in-law: Bill Helm, Arvid Skrede, Earl Stokke, Gordon Severson, Orbin Berg and Clarence Berg and nieces, Karan and Katherine Stokke and Elizabeth Butikofer, nephew, David Skrede and great-niece, Sarah Dahlke.

Special thanks to Gundersen Hospice Care, Home Instead Workers, special neighbors, friends and relatives.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday October 20, 2017 at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chaseburg. Rev. Steven Oldre will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday also at St. Peter's in Chaseburg with a prayer service at 7 p.m. and at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until service time.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to JDRF, Coulee Region Humane Society, ASPCA and St. Peter's Cemetery Fund.