Obituaries

Newton Louis Roepke, 81, Birnamwood, died Wednesday, February 3, 2010 in Mesa, Arizona.

He was the youngest child of the late Charles and Cora (Lemke) Roepke.  He was born December 9, 1928 in Birnamwood, at home.

Newton married his wife of 59 years, Jean C. Wolff, on October 29, 1950 at Ascension Lutheran Church, Milwaukee.  She survives.

He was called to serve in the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War. 

He and Jean had three children: Dean, Linda (Curtis) Wenthur and Daniel.

Newton worked for the former Wisconsin Gas Company, Milwaukee, for more than 30 years.  In Milwaukee, they were members of Berea Lutheran Church and were long time members of the Camp Charles Allis Association, located on Lake Beulah in Walworth County, where Newt enjoyed fishing, boating, horseshoe, tennis and spending time with friends.  In retirement, Newt and Jean moved back to Birnamwood where they have been members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.  Newton was an active member of the Darling-Gunderson Post #341, American Legion as well as the Birnamwood Memorial Post #7933 of the VFW.  The couple wintered in Mesa, Az.  Newton died in full confidence of his baptismal promise.

Newton is survived by his wife, three children, three grandsons; Cale, Nicholas and Cody Wenthur.  He is also survived by three siblings, Mildred Mund, Randolph, Charlotte Lemke, Wausau and Dr. Henry (Carol) Roepke, Milwaukee and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Newton was preceded in death by two brothers, Elton and Norman and two sisters, Dorthea Detjen and Ruth Gimber.