Gerald G. "Red" Steinke, 87, of Eau Claire died Monday, January 12, 2009, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire. Jerry was born in the town of Lincoln near Fall Creek on November 23, 1921, a son of Rudolph and Anna (Dahlke) Steinke. \r\nHe attended Green Meadows country school, graduated from Fall Creek High School in 1939, and UW-Eau Claire in 1953. \r\nHe was stationed in Korea and Japan with the U.S. Army, and was honorable discharged as a Staff Sgt in October 1946.\r\nGerald married MaryAnn Scray in Eau Claire. \r\nIn 1965, Jerry started working in the insurance industry at The Banker's Life Insurance Company which later became Principal Financial Group. As a certified life underwriter he continued to work until his retirement in 2007.\r\nJerry was a member of Chippewa Falls #176 F&AM, Knights Templar of Eau Claire, Scottish Rite Valley of Eau Claire, and Mehara Shrine Club of Eau Claire.He was also a member of VFW Post #305, American Legion Post #53, Eau Claire Optimist Club, Eau Claire Moose Lodge #1408 and Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups. \r\nGerald is survived by two daughters, Barbara Eick Eau Claire, and Nancy (Darrell) McCauley of Troy, MI; six grandchildren, Jeffrey (Vickie) Eick, Marcus (Yenny) Eick, Daniel (Annette) Eick and David (Angela) Eick, Shelly (Jeff) Lauer, and Douglas (Jennifer) McCauley; seven great grandchildren, Nicholas, Anthony, Abby, Ryan, and Lauran Eick, Michelle Parra, and Matthew Lauer; one great-great granddaughter, Kyleigh McCauley; several nieces and nephews. \r\nHe was preceded in death by his wife, MaryAnn in 1998; his parents; two brothers, Marvin and Arnold Steinke; and sister-in-law, Irene Steinke.\r\nFuneral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, January 16, 2009, at Grace Lutheran Church with the Rev. Rolf A. Nestingen officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery in Eau Claire. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Friday at the church. There will be a Masonic Service at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.\r\nFamily requests memorials be directed to the Grace Lutheran Church "Heart and Soul Fund, 202 W. Grand Ave., Eau Claire, WI 54701.\r\n \r\n

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