Obit: Wicke, Norman (1924 - 2014)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Best, Bosteder, Hendrickson, James, Lomatsch, Noller, St. John, Sotak, Stine, Wicke

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 6/25/2014

Wicke, Norman (26 OCT 1924 - 18 JUN 2014)

Norman Wicke, 90, Hannibal, died on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at Lake Manor Assisted Living in Ladysmith.

He was born on May 24, 1924 in Westboro, the son of the late Arthur and Florence (St. John) Wicke. Norman was raised there and graduated from Westboro High School.

Norman went into the Army and served during World War II. He spent time in France during the Battle of the Bulge. He then was transferred to the Philippines and Japan before serving one month on board USS Randle. Norman received two bronze battle stars, a European ribbon, an Astian ribbon, a Good Gundback ribbon, three overseas bars and a certificate from the country of France for his service.

He then lived in Medford and married Joyce Bosteder on November 8, 1946. The couple moved to Hannibal where Norman was a mechanic and ran the Texaco Station there. Norman also raised cattle until his retirement. He was a member of the Jump River VFW.

He is survived by his children, Ronald (Diane) Wicke of Jump River, Robert (Darlene) Wicke and Debbie James, both of Hannibal, John (Lou) Wicke of Princeton, Minn., and Lori (William) Stine of Bruce; a son-in-law, David Sotak of Ladysmith; 13 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; his sisters, Alice Lomatsch and Rosie Noller, both of Fond du Lac, Betty Hendrickson of Marshfield and Christine Best of Mondovi.

Norm is preceded in death by his wife, Joyce (2008); parents; two daughters, Nancy Wicke and Donna Sotak; sisters Leona and Ida; and a brother, Joe.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, June 21 at the Gilman Funeral Home. Burial was at Mount Nebo Cemetery in Jump River, with military rites performed by the Jump River VFW Post No. 2977.