Phillip "Phil" Gohlke

Phillip "Phil" Gohlke was freed from the devil’s challenges and joined his heavenly family on January 16, 2024.  

He was the oldest son of Edward and Norma (Huenerberg) Gohlke, born at his grandparents’ home in Princeton, Wisconsin on April 21, 1928. He was baptized on May 11, 1928 at St. John’s Church, Princeton, and confirmed on March 29, 1942 at Zion Lutheran Church, Neshkoro. He graduated from Neshkoro High School in 1946 with a degree in farming.  He started his working career as a dairy farmer, and retired as a vegetable farmer, with many other jobs in between. 

On October 2, 1949, he married Velta Ann Purdy (the girl he caught doing the flying dutchman at the VFW hall in Berlin) at Zion Lutheran Church, Neshkoro.  Phil and Velta were blessed with five children: sons Larry, Dennis and Rick, daughters Karla and Linda.   He was preceded in death by Velta, his wife of 72 years, on February 21, 2022.  

He enjoyed his family and helping other people, visiting the sick and the shut-ins.  He believed work was a blessing and enjoyed it.  He attended church and bible studies regularly and loved old testament history.   When visiting the sick or seniors, you could hear him telling them… “the first 100 years are the hardest, after that it is all downhill.”  

He is survived by his children: Larry (Jean) Gohlke, Neshkoro; Dennis (Lynn) Gohlke, Neshkoro; Karla (Roger) Souzek, Wautoma; Linda Gohlke, Neshkoro; and daughter-in-law Cindy Gohlke, Wautoma. He is survived by 18 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren (and three more on the way!), as well as one sister, Carla Fredrick, Berlin; sisters-in-law Sandra Gohlke, Neshkoro; and Marcia Hoeth, Coon Valley.   He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his parents-in-law Lawrence and Marie Purdy, his son Rick Gohlke, as well as his brothers Wilmar Gohlke and Russell (Deloris) Gohlke, brothers-in-law Ralph Fredrick, John (Delores) Purdy and Donald Hoeth, and sisters-in-law Margaret (Sherman) Wilson and Dorothy (Cecil) Chapin.  

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at Calvary Lutheran Church, Princeton with Pastor Robert Busse officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of services at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Calvary Lutheran Church, Princeton.