Mavis L. Lemke

(Nee Ratz)Mavis Lafay Lemke (Ratz), age 83, passed quietly from this life to eternal life with Jesus on Sunday, November 5, 2017. She was recently diagnosed with cancer and passed away at home, in hospice care. Mavis was born in Oconto County, WI to Emil Ratz and Olga (Kossman/Mittag).  She graduated from Gillett High School in 1952.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Roy.  They had been married 58 years when he died in 2011.  Mavis will be deeply missed by her three daughters, Susan (Eugene) Gilbertson, Joy (Greg) Ladzinski and Cathy (Scott) Golden; her grandchildren, Kelly (Manolo) Ramirez, Adam Golden, Mary (Grant) Hultman, Jessica Golden and Diana Dawson; and her great grandchildren Lucas and Adelia Hultman, A.J. and Thomas Wray, and Esmeralda Mavis Ramirez.  She will also be missed by her sister Caroline Curtis and brother Melvin Ratz (Rose), sister-in-law Audrey Ratz and brother-in law Richard (Betty) Lemke, plus many nieces and nephews.  Mavis and Roy were both younger children in very large families and most of their siblings are now deceased.

Mavis was fondly known to her friends and family as the “Energizer Bunny”, always busy with something around the house and yard.   She was a homemaker who loved her job and enjoyed hosting family holidays and parties.  They enjoyed traveling with family and friends. Mavis loved to fish and garden, and always had birdseed on hand for her feathered pals. After their marriage she and Roy lived in the greater Milwaukee area until his retirement when they moved to Shawano Lake.  They wintered in Zephyrhills, FL.  After Roy’s death Mavis continued to spend the winter season in FL each year, although she moved to Hartland, WI for the rest of the year to be near family.  Mavis treasured each of her homes and her many friends, especially the Wisconsin group in Florida whom we thank for all their support and care for our mom these past years.

Visitation will be held at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin on Friday, November 10, 2017, 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  Additional visitation at the funeral home on Saturday, November 11, 2017, from 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM will be followed by a service at 10:45 AM.  A luncheon will be served following the service. A private family burial will be held at 2:30 PM.