Wilbert A. Kroncke

PORTAGE  -- Wilbert A. Kroncke, age 88, passed away on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at the Columbia Health Care Center in Wyocena.

He was born on October 18, 1921 in the Township of Leeds, Wisconsin, to Charles and Anna (Neuman) Kroncke.  He lived his early life on the Kroncke farm on Kroncke Road.  Wilbert graduated from Poynette High School in 1939, and later from Madison Business College.  He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.  On October 12, 1946, he married Shirley Ebert.  For many years he worked for Finance Companies in Minnesota and Wisconsin.  After residing in Mankato and Albert Lee, Minnesota, he returned to Madison, Wisconsin and later retired from finance.  Wilbert moved to Saddle Ridge Estates near Portage and opened a sports card store, The Big Leagues, in Portage until 1992.  He was a Packers, Badgers and Brewers fan, and rarely missed a game.  For a few years, he was President of Saddle Ridge Estates and President of the Ambassador Club at Amcore Bank at Portage.  He was  a member of the Elks for forty years, and a member of the American Legion.  Bill played golf for many years, and enjoyed card parties.  He was always kind and ready to help anyone in need.  Bill was proud to be a member of the new Bethlehem Lutheran Church at Portage.

Wilbert is survived by a sister, Henrietta (Ervin) Stiemke, Arlington, special friends, Eldora Hermanson and Allen Zak, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Shirley in 1994, an infant son, Scott in 1953, four brothers, Rodney, Harold, Ervin and Carl Kroncke, and a sister, Florence Grieber of Lodi.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 2, 2010 at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, with the Rev. Dick Inglett officiating.  Inurnment will be private.  Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage.  www.pmmfh.com

The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, P. O. Box 606, Portage, WI  53901.