Harris H. Wilke

Harris Herman Wilke, age 94, passed away on Sunday, November 30th.2025 in Germantown, WI. He was born on March 25, 1931, in Beaver Dam, WI, to Sydney and Leora (Raasch) Wilke. He grew up in Horicon, WI, where he attended grade school and graduated from Horicon High School in 1948. Harris was a proud member of the Horicon Band from fourth grade through high school.

He graduated from Carroll College (now Carroll University) in 1952, where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, played on the golf team, performed in the Carroll Band, and played with the Waukesha Symphony. From 1952–1954, he served in the Korean War and was stationed in Okinawa with the U.S. Army Signal Corps.

On August 15, 1954, Harris married Beverly Socha at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Waukesha. They made their home in Horicon, where Harris ran H.H. Wilke Hardware, Plumbing and Heating until 1981. He was the third generation to operate the family business, founded by his grandfather, Herman Wilke, in 1904 and continued by his father, Sydney.

While in Horicon, Harris was deeply involved in the community. He served as President of the Horicon Rotary Club, President of Rock River Hills Golf Club (which he helped found), and Commander of Horicon Post #157 of the American Legion. He remained a proud Legion member for 71 years. He was also an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Horicon, where he served as an Elder and choir director for 25 years. Additionally, he directed the choir at Horicon EUB Church. An avid golfer, he won Club Championships at Mayville Golf Club, Old Hickory Golf Club, and Rock River Hills Golf Club. In Horicon, he was involved with Boy Scouts and the Masonic Lodge.

In 1981, Harris and Beverly moved to Wales, WI, after closing the Hardware Store. Harris worked for Rundle-Spence for 14 years and became a member of Jerusalem Presbyterian Church, where he served as choir director for 17 years and as an Elder. He was on the Building and Grounds Committee of Three Pillars early in its expansion.

Music remained at the heart of his life. A talented trumpet player, Harris performed with the Lake Country Dutchmen, Oconomowoc Legion Band, Hartland Community Band, Tripoli Shrine Band, Command Performance Band, and Ray Neuman’s Band. He directed the Tripoli Shrine Band for several years and led his own groups: the Dixieland Stompers Band and Die Fröhlich Deutsche Musik Kapelle. He joyfully participated in the Milwaukee Circus Parade for many years. Harris was a member of the Wisconsin Scottish Rite, Tripoli Temple, Rock River Masonic Lodge #108, Pommerscher Verein Freistadt, Hessischer Verein, and the Germantown Historical Society.

He had a love of travel with Beverly to Costa Rica, Mexico, Europe, Asia and Alaska plus trips to visit family in North Carolina, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Texas, Vermont, Arizona, California, Michigan and Minnesota.

Harris is survived by his wife, Beverly Jane (Socha) Wilke, and their children: Cynthia (Dr. Charles) Gokoo of Lewisville, TX; James (Charlene) Wilke of The Woodlands, TX; and Nathan (Dr. Lee) Wilke of Madison, WI; grandchildren: Christopher (Amanda) Wilke of Nassau Bay, TX; Stephanie (Kevin) Curran of Denton, TX; David Wilke (Signe Strøming) of Seattle, WA; Steven Wilke of Chicago, IL; and step-granddaughter Erika (Gokoo) Curry of Mount Vernon, IL; great-grandchildren Maximilian, Genevieve, Eloise, Juliana, and Bosco Curran. He is also survived by his Brother-In-Law George J Socha, three nephews and many relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his infant sister, Carol.

We want to thank the staff and caregivers at The Gables, Germantown, WI and Preceptors Hospice for their great care.

Visitation will be at Jerusalem Presbyterian Church 207 W. Main St. Wales, WI 53183 Saturday January 17, 2026 from 10:00 am until the funeral service begins at 12:00 pm. Burial with full military honors will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Horicon at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Jerusalem Presbyterian Church of Wales or Carroll University of Waukesha, WI.

Harris’s body has been donated to the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine.

Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home, Crematory and Preplanning Service is honored to serve the family. For further information, please call the funeral home at 262-547-4035 or visit us online at www.randledable.com for directions or to leave the family an online tribute message.