Willis "Bill" H. Galleske's Obituary
Willis H. (Bill) Galleske, age 88, was called to his eternal rest on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 in Waupaca, WI. He was born December 2, 1929 in Oakfield, WI; son of Harry and Laura (Zielke) Galleske. He was baptized December 15, 1929 and confirmed May 24, 1942 at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Oakfield, WI. Growing up in the Oakfield/Fond du Lac area, he graduated with honors on May 22, 1947 from Oakfield High School. After graduation, he worked at various factories in the area and for the Fond du Lac Commonwealth Reporter daily newspaper. In 1953, Bill went to West Bend as an industrial engineering clerk at West Bend Aluminum.
Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army Ready Reserves on January 8, 1951 and was assigned to Co. B 291st Combat Engineers, attaining rank of sergeant, serving as administrative sergeant. He also served a short time with Btry A 132nd Inf. Div. in a similar capacity, and was honorably discharged on April 5, 1958.
He married Beverly Flitter in April 1953 at St. John Lutheran Church in Lomira, WI and together they had five children.
Bill was devoted to his church and served on every board in the various congregations he belonged to. This included teaching Sunday School and was a member of their choirs. It was not uncommon for him to give a trumpet or vocal rendition at special services, especially at Christmas and Easter. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Fairview, where only weeks after his arrival, he became vice president, and a year later assumed presidency, a position he held for nine years. Immediately following his time as president, he became secretary and held that position until he was transferred to Trinity Lutheran Church in Sidney, MT. In the absence of the pastor, he also conducted many of the services. In the spring of 2003, Bill also began conducting services periodically at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Grassy Butte, ND, assisting Pastor Reinke of Williston, who was serving as a vacancy pastor.
He began a 30-year career of service with the State of Wisconsin in December 1959, initially employed with the Division of Corrections maximum security prison in Waupun, WI. Bill served one term as Justice of the Peace, and later, on the Waupun-Dodge County Auxiliary Police Squad. He said he was one of the very few people that served in all phases of the justice system, from making the arrest, to passing sentence, to “baby-sitting” them and trying to rehabilitate them later.
In July 1964, Bill was appointed as a field agent with the Compliance (enforcement) unit of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, and was assigned to Marinette to establish a field office, serving the four counties from the Bay of Green Bay west along the Michigan border. He operated that office for 24 years. In June 1988, Bill transferred to Waupaca and served there until retiring in June 1989.
He married Doris (Stordahl) Knueppel at Trinity Lutheran Church in Marinette, WI on April 5, 1980.
He served on the West Bend civil defense police squad, and later, as a relief officer on the West Bend Police Department. Bill also served as a Special Deputy Sheriff for Marinette County, serving for 23 years under three sheriffs’, and was a charter member of the Marinette County Sheriff’s Auxiliary.
Bill was an avid musician and began playing with various bands and groups before graduating from high school. He played various ballrooms and clubs throughout Central and Eastern Wisconsin and Michigan UP. Bill also had his own band, Cinco Amigos, for a short time. After moving to Fairview, he played keyboard, trumpet, did vocals as a soloist, and was a member of the community band. Bill joined the American Federation of Musicians in 1946 and held membership in Local #309 Fond du Lac and Local #39 Marinette-Menominee (later called Local #205 Green Bay). He held a life membership and was affiliated with Local #709 Bozeman, MT. Bill served as treasurer for Local #39 for several years and as a board member of Local #205. He was a member of AAL and served as vice president of branch #7144 in Waupaca and for two years with branch #6829 in Fairview.
Bill is survived by his wife, Doris Galleske of Waupaca, WI; three sons, Dwight (Sandy) Galleske of Marinette, WI, Donald Galleske of Menominee, MI, and Daniel Galleske of Menominee, MI; one daughter, Deanna Salzman of Marinette, WI; a step-son, John Knueppel of Fremont, WI; a step-daughter, Ann Marie Work of Port St. Lucie, FL; 6 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren, and 11 step-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Edward Galleske of Baxter Springs, KS and Dudley Galleske of New Braunfels, TX; and a sister, Deloris Merk of Fond du Lac, WI.
A Memorial Service will be on Sunday, March 4, 2018 at 1:30 PM at the Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca, WI. Reverend John Taggatz will officiate. A visitation will be held on Sunday from 12:30 – 1:30 PM at the Holly Funeral Home. Burial will take place at a later date at Montana State Veterans Cemetery – Fort Harrison in Helena, MT. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements.
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