This file part of www.watertownhistory.org website
Arthur L. Turke, Sr
1927 - 2009
1961
09 06 Arthur L.
Turke, cashier of the Wisconsin National Bank, yesterday
afternoon was elected to the bank’s board of directors to complete the term of
John A. (Jack) Meehan of 906 Harvey Avenue, who, with his wife, is moving to
Florida. Mr. Turke,
who resides at 239 Spaulding Street, joined the bank’s staff in 1950 shortly
after completing his studies at the University of Wisconsin. He was elected assistant cashier in 1952 and
moved up to the position of cashier when that office was vacated by Walter Thrams who was elected president of the bank following the
death of Fred J. Kaercher in 1956. WDT
2009
Arthur L.
“Bud” Turke, 81, of Watertown, died Friday, Jan. 2,
2009, at Golden Living Center following a lingering illness.
Funeral
services will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran
Church in Watertown with the Rev. Terry Larson officiating. Visitation will be at the church on Tuesday
from 2:30 p.m. until the time of the service.
Burial will
be at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery on Wednesday at 9 a.m. with graveside military
rites by American Legion Post No. 189.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Immanuel Lutheran Church Endowment Fund
or the charity of one's choice would be appreciated.
Arthur Louis Turke was born in Watertown on June 22, 1927, the son of
Arthur W. and Dorothy (Voigt) Turke.
He was
married to Darlene Alice Zimdars. Then, on July 8, 1978, he married Phyllis
(Jaeger) Christian at Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Art attended
Immanuel Lutheran Grade School in Lebanon, and was a 1944 graduate of Watertown
High School. He was in the Navy Air
Corps as a pilot during WWII. He
attended Northwestern College, and
received a BBA in 1950 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Art was employed by Wisconsin National Bank in Watertown for
29 years, as a teller, bookkeeper, director, cashier and president. In 1979, he joined Dean Witter Reynolds in
Watertown, serving as an investment adviser/stock broker. He retired in 1997 as associate vice
president.
Art was a
member of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, was
in the church choir, was congregation president, and had served on various
boards and committees. He enjoyed
hunting, traveling, and music. He was a talented musician, playing various
instruments, and was an accomplished soloist.
Art was a former member of the Watertown Municipal Band, as well as
performing with the Will Eske Band. Most recently, he performed with the Yankee
Dutchmen Solar Powered Precision Marching Band.
Art served as
director of the Watertown Memorial Hospital
at the time of the move to the new hospital location. He was treasurer of the Watertown Chapter of
the American Red Cross for 25 years. His
civic interests included heading a committee promoting the expansion of the Watertown Airport, serving on the board of directors for
Watertown's Riverfest, and being a longtime member
and president of the Watertown Promotive Corporation.
Art was a
member of Watertown Rotary since 1968. While all of his civic involvements were
satisfying, he felt that serving as member and trustee of the Joe Davies
Scholarship Foundation was especially gratifying.
Art is
survived by his wife Phyllis; four children, Art (Jenny) Turke
of Oconomowoc, Constance (Jay) Richardson Turke of
Minneapolis, Minn., Andy (Victoria) Turke of
Plymouth, Minn., Sarah (Robert) Stocks of Watertown; two stepchildren, Neal (Julie)
Christian of Watertown, and Dana (Clark) Entzminger
of DeForest; 13 grandchildren; four
great-grandchildren, nieces, nep-hews, other
relatives and friends.
He was the
last member of his immediate family and was preceded in death by his parents
and a sister, Eva Uttech.
The family
would like to thank Golden Living Center and Rainbow Hospice for their fine and
loving care shown to Art.
Hafemeister Funeral Home 611 E. Main St. Watertown
