Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home & Crematory

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(262) 552-9000

Michael "Mike" William Turek

vet
Feb 2, 1952 – Aug 15, 2024

Service Details

A Celebration of Life Service for Mike will be held at New Life Lutheran Church – Somers, 1520 Green Bay Road, Somers, WI on Friday, August 23, 2024 at 9:00AM with Pastor David Pagel officiating. Visitation will be held in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Thursday, August 22, 2024 from 5:00PM – 7:00PM. Inurnment will take place at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Hwy. C in Union Grove on Friday, August 23, 2024 at 11:00AM.

Memorial Suggestions

In lieu of flowers due to family allergies, memorials to the family are welcome.

Michael “Mike” William Turek, age 72, passed away after a brief but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer at home on Thursday, August 15, 2024.

Mike was born in Racine on February 2, 1952, to Martin “Jake” and Dolores (nee: Depp) Turek. After graduating from JI Case High School in 1970, Mike enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served from August 3, 1970 until July 8, 1974, on the USS Belknap Guided Missile Frigate and traveled the world.  On June 11, 1977, Mike was united in marriage with Kathy Lemke. Mike was employed by JI Case, Young Radiator, Nelson Bros. & Strom, and worked as a car salesman for a number of years. Mike was a member of Racine Fire Bell Club, which led to his interest in becoming a firefighter. Mike joined the Great Lakes Fire Department in 1986.  In addition to being a Firefighter and EMT at Great Lakes, Mike was a member of the Hazmat Team, served as a network administrator, IAFF local F-37 VP & President, ultimately retiring in 2007

Among his interests, Mike enjoyed fishing trips to LaCrosse with his fishing buddy, Russ; went on several fishing trips to Canada with family and friends; liked camping with friends in Door County. Mike was affectionately known for his love of collecting gadgets and earned the nickname “Gadgetman”. He loved collecting watches, clocks and fire department memorabilia. In retirement, he enjoyed woodburning, 3D printing, along with grilling and smoking various meats. First and foremost, Mike loved his family and friends, and was looking forward to becoming a great grandpa. Mike was an avid animal lover, especially his dogs and grand dogs.

Surviving are his wife, Kathy; son, Jeff (Aurora) Turek; grandchildren, CiPriani Turek, Berto (Joy) Diaz, Aurelia Diaz and Marco Diaz; father-in-law, Gary Lemke; brothers-in-law, Dave (Lynne) Lemke and Bill (Gayle) Lemke; sister-in-law, Sharman Turek; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Martin “Jake” and Dolores; brother, Jim Turek; mother-in-law, Myrt Lemke; and all his firefighter brothers who have fallen before him.

Special thanks are extended by the family to Dr. Michael Zeihen and Hospice Alliance for their compassionate care throughout Mike’s illness.

 

Guestbook Entries

  1. Cindy Pintar says

    Oh will I miss you. Your humor, your generosity, stubborn ways but mostly the love you had for Kathy and your 4 legged kids.
    Rest now in peace my friend.

  2. Amanda Clausen says

    Kathy, I am so sorry for your loss. May the wonderful memories you shared with Mike comfort you. Sending my thoughts and prayers to you and your family today and always.

  3. Your sister Sharman says

    The lighthouse you gave to me after your brother died is still lighting up my world and will always remind me of you. We’ve had lots of good times together and a few not so good but we’re still family and I’m looking forward to seeing you and your brother when God calls me home. Love you always

  4. Anonymous says

    Fair Winds & Following Seas
    Shipmate. May you rest in the palm of our Lord and savior’s hand and be at peace until we see each other again.

  5. Jose A. Echevarría says

    Sending my most heartfelt sympathy to you and your family, my ❤ heart goes out to you, and I pray that nothing but comfort and strength.

  6. Jim and Dawn Herbst says

    Kathy, Jeff, and family,

    Please accept our condolences at Mike’s passing. He made a difference in the lives of all the people that knew him. We are so sorry we weren’t able to be with you at this sad time, but please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.

    Jim and Dawn Herbst

  7. William & Lori Milbratz says

    Our Condolences to the family . Prayers are with you and your family and friends. Rest easy

  8. Dawn Bench says

    Kathy, Jeff and family,

    Our Deepest Condolences,
    May God Comfort you in this time.

    Dawn Bench & Chad Moon

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Testimonials

Thank you for an exceptional service for our mother – Juan Munoz

My siblings and I recently had the unfortunate experience of having to plan a funeral for our beloved mother – Juana Munoz. During this difficult time, we were fortunate enough to come across a funeral home that truly went above and beyond what was expected. Their attention to detail and dedication to ensuring our comfort and safety throughout the entire process was truly remarkable.

From the moment we stepped foot into the funeral home, we were greeted with warmth and compassion. The staff members, but specifically Mark was incredibly understanding and empathetic, making us feel at ease during such a challenging time. Mark took the time to listen to our needs and wishes, and his guidance and support were invaluable.

One aspect that truly stood out was Mark’s meticulous attention to detail. He paid close attention to every aspect of the funeral arrangements, ensuring that nothing was overlooked. From the floral arrangements to the music selection, every detail was carefully considered and executed flawlessly. Mark even noticed that the temperature in the room was getting warm and promptly adjusted it to ensure our comfort.

What impressed me the most was their commitment to our safety. Mark and his team took every precaution to ensure that our family and guests were protected throughout the entire process. From the funeral home to the cemetery, Mark made sure that all safety measures were in place, including providing hand sanitizers, and even arranging for additional staff members to assist with crowd control.

Furthermore, Mark’s professionalism and organization was evident in every aspect of the funeral service. He coordinated seamlessly with the cemetery staff, ensuring a smooth transition from the funeral home to the final resting place. Their attention to detail and commitment to excellence truly made a difference in our overall experience.

In addition to their exceptional service, the funeral home also provided us with resources and support beyond the funeral itself. They offered grief counseling services and connected us with local support groups, which proved to be invaluable during our grieving process.

Overall, we cannot express enough gratitude for the exceptional service provided by Mark and broader Draeger Langendorf team. Their attention to detail, commitment to our safety, and genuine compassion made a difficult time a little more bearable. I highly recommend their services to anyone in need of funeral arrangements, as they truly go above and beyond to ensure that every detail is taken care of and that families are supported throughout the entire process.

– Epifanio and The Munoz Family

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Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home
4600 County Line Road
Mount Pleasant, WI 53403
(262) 552-9000

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