Racine- Sally Ann (nee: Mahnke) Thoemke, 81, passed away peacefully at Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints Medical Center on Thursday, August 19, 2010 after being diagnosed with Leukemia on Wednesday. Alifetime resident, Sally was born in Racine on April 2, 1929 to the late Elmer F. and Doris E. (nee: Gertenbach) Mahnke. She graduated from Washington Park High School in 1946. On September 18, 1948 in Epiphany Lutheran Church, she was united in marriage with the love of her life, William “Bill” Arthur Thoemke. Sally was employed by the American Bank until the birth of their first daughter. Many years later, Sally went to work as a secretary to several officers including the vice-president of Walker Mfg. However, it was the time in between, when Sally fulfilled her dream of being a full-time Mom – a vocation she mastered well. With a profound Christian faith, Sally was a lifelong member of Epiphany Lutheran Church where she was charter member of the Home Guild and where she truly enjoyed being an active volunteer. Years ago, Sally was an accomplished bowler and a talented decoupage artist. Above all, she loved and cherished being in the surroundings of her entire family. Surviving are her loving husband of nearly 62 years, William “Bill” Thoemke of Racine; their daughters, Laureen (Robert) Plum of Madison; Joyce (Larry) Maresh, Barbara (Harry) Hanson and Marcia (Jeffry) Demet, all of Racine; grandchildren, Michael Drew, Erin (Jordan) Drew-Smith; Kyle, Jordan and Colin Maresh; Jodi Gannaway; Jacob (Kirsten) Hanson, Scott (Jennifer) Hanson; Dana, Anthony (Caitlin), David and Leah Demet; great-grandchildren, Olivia and Nicholas Gannaway; and William Hanson; brother, Gregg Mahnke; sister, Gail (Stanley) Fleming; brothers-in-law, Eugene and Norman (Eleanor) Thoemke; nieces, nephews, church family, other relatives and friends – too numerous to mention all by name. In addition to her parents, Sally was preceded in death by her sister-in-law, Norma Thoemke; and by Bill’s parents, Arthur and Rose Thoemke. Funeral services will be held in Epiphany Lutheran Church, 2921 Olive Street, on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at 11:00 am with Rev. Michael Zarling officiating. Interment will follow in West Lawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Monday from 4-7 pm and in the church on Tuesday from 10-11 am. In memory of Sally, memorials to Epiphany Lutheran Church have been suggested.
Terri Both says
My heart goes out to your family. I worked with Sally at Walker and have fond memories of her. She was a joy to work with. She will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family.