Herbert Lidtke

Herbert Lidtke, 93, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at Hillside Manor, surrounded by his loving family. The visitation for Herbert will be on Sunday, March 20, 2016 from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home, N7199 N. Crystal Lake Road in Beaver Dam. There will also be a visitation on Monday, March 21, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam with Rev. Philip Heyer officiating. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Beaver Dam. Herb was born in Fox Lake, WI on June 16, 1922 to Herbert and Mabel (Haase) Lidtke, Sr. On March 10, 1956, Herb was united in marriage with Evaline Stange Biesenthal. Herb graduated from Fox Lake High School in 1940. After graduating from Oshkosh Business School, he worked at Monarch Range, the family farm, Wisconsin Motors in Milwaukee and then at the local Packard and Willys dealership at 127 Park Avenue in Beaver Dam. In 1955 he purchased the dealership and added the Mercury franchise. In 1965 the Lincoln franchise was added and the dealership moved to its current location at 701 Park Avenue. Herb was a faithful member of St. Stephen's Ev. Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam having served on the church council. He was also a charter member and past president of the Beaver Dam Lion's Club, past director of Marine Bank, past president of the Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce, and past director of the Wisconsin Lutheran Child and Family Service. Herb was honored numerous times by the Ford Motor Company and Lincoln Motor Company, including many distinguished President's Awards. Herb was privileged to travel to many places with Switzerland and Portugal being his favorites. He enjoyed the Packers and Brewers, but most of all attending all his children and grandchildren's special events; baptisms, graduations, concerts and sporting events. Most recently, Herb was thrilled to become great grandpa to Hugh and George. Herb is survived by his wife of 60 years, Evaline; his children, Ranee (Timothy) Welch of Beaver Dam, Marie (Gary) Hewitt of Hudson, Marsha (David) Salamon of Sparta, NJ, and Paul Lidtke of Beaver Dam; his grandchildren, Ian Welch, Katie Hewitt (Ross) Anderson), Maggie Hewitt, Logan Welch, Ariel Welch, Schuyler Welch, Blake Salamon and Philip Salamon; and great grandsons, Hugh Herbert and George David Anderson. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Helen Zwieg and brothers-in-law, Herman Stange and Frederick Stange; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends. Herb was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Willard (Marion) Lidtke; his sister, Loraine (Fred) Gruhn; and a brother in infancy; his parents-in-law; sister-in-law, Ethel (Gerhard) Nedow; brothers-in-law, Milton (Evelyn) Stange, Earl (Mavis) Stange, Clarence (Mary E.) Stange and Merlin Zwieg; and sisters-in-law, Betty Stange, and Mary L. Stange. Memorials can be made to St. Stephen's Ev. Lutheran Church Restoration and Window Fund, the Lion's Club Eye Bank and Hillside Hospice. There are not enough words to express our gratitude to the Pastors of St. Stephen's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hillside Hospice and the entire staff and all the caregivers at Hillside Manor. Koepsell- Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.koepsellfh.com.