Obituary: Lenke, Wilbert O. “Wil”
Age 85
“Wil” 5/22/1930 - 6/3/2015 Wil Lenke (age 85) peacefully passed away on June 3, 2015 to his Heavenly home.
Born to Gustus and Olga Lenke, in May 1930, he enjoyed his boyhood zipping around Liberty Park area with his brothers (Herman and Jim) and friends.
After graduating from Lewis and Clark High School, he entered the workforce learning various trades.
He married Gladys Becker and proceeded into family-hood with his son, Larry Becker.
Wil’s two daughters, Janet and Karen, soon followed.
He and his wife built their house out in Colbert, and moved out there in the 1970s.
His pride and joy were his children and grandchildren as he watched countless hours of football games, wrestling matches, basketball games, track meets, plays, band concerts, parades, soccer, tennis, volleyball, and softball.
With the video recorder on his shoulders, he captured their successes and struggles with always a supportive word for “next time.”
Wil retired as an electrician from the City of Spokane after 30 years of service, where he put in countless hours operating and maintaining the traffic lights around the Spokane region.
His grandchildren describe him a man of quick humor and corny jokes, a connoisseur of Chinese food and salmon, as well as a hardworking, generous, sweet, and kind-hearted grandpa.
Wil will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers; his son, Larry Becker (1993); his wife, Gladys Lenke (2006), his brother-in law, Jean Mize (2012), and his sister-in-law, Audrey Forkner (2014).
Wil is survived by his daughters, Janet Ralston, KS and Karen (Pat) Estes, WA; his daughter-in-law, Sharon (Bill) Robinson, WA; his ten grandchildren: Kristy (Mike) Fassio, Tom (Claire) Becker, Melissa (Ben) Kahn, Lizzy Estes, Joshua Ralston, John Ralston, Benjamin Ralston, Tim Estes, Joey Estes, and Samuel Ralston; and four great-grandchildren: Isabella Fassio, Samantha Becker, Charlotte Fassio, and Tommy Fassio, with one more on the way; brother-in-law, James Forkner; sisters-in-law, Doris Mize and Judy Lenke; along with numerous nieces, nephews and a handful of cousins.
Open Casket Viewing and Visitation will take place on Friday, June 12th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., along with Saturday, June 13th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (Hazen and Jaeger, 1306 N. Monroe, Spokane, WA 99201).
A closed casket funeral will take place June 13th, 11:30 a.m. (Hazen and Jaeger, 1306 N. Monroe, Spokane, WA 99201) followed by a 1:00 p.m. graveside service.