Erwin R. Dehnke, 71, of Eau Claire died Friday, March 20, 2009, at his home following his courageous battle with esophageal cancer. \r\nHe was born in the town of Lincoln, near Fall Creek, Wisconsin on March 14, 1938, the son of Erwin M. and Minnie E. (Hagedorn) Dehnke Sr. He attended Fall Creek Schools. Following school he worked for various farmers in the community and later moved to Milwaukee in 1957.\r\nErwin married JoAnn C. Hrubesch in Fall Creek on June 13, 1959. \r\nHe worked as a laborer for American Motors, now Chrysler, for 30 years. He retired in 1987 at age 49. After retirement he volunteered for Habitat for Humanity for five years. In his spare times he loved to go hunting and fishing, especially ice fishing. His passion was his yard and his flower gardens which he and JoAnn enjoyed together. Erwin enjoyed decorating their home and yard for the Christmas Holiday.\r\nErwin was a "jack of all trades". He was always there to help anyone, with anything, without hesitation. He will always be remembered as a hard working, kind, and generous man.\r\nErwin is survived by his wife, JoAnn; three brothers, Duane (Dorothy) Dehnke, Vernon (Kathleen) Dehnke, both of Fall Creek, Douglas (Karla) Dehnke of Eau Claire; seven sisters, Lucille (Walter) Webinger of Menomonie, Evelyn Kinderman, Doris (Ernest) Dehnke, Norma Dehnke, Virginia (Eugene) Jaenke, Janet (Johnny) Boyea, and Debra Dehnke, all of Fall Creek;and many nieces and nephews, and friends.\r\nHe was preceded in death by his parents; and by a brother, Melvin.\r\nFuneral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2009, at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home with Pastor Robert R. Garbisch officiating. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Eau Claire. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday and one hour prior to services Tuesday at the funeral home.\r\nMemorials are preferred to the Marshfield Clinic Cancer Center at Sacred Heart Hospital, 900 West Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire, WI 54701.\r\n

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