Frederick "Rick" E. Gierke Winneconne, Wisconsin Frederick Gierke, age 70, of Winneconne, passed away April 25, 2011, at home. He was born in Kiel on March 2, 1941, in the home of his parents, Herman and Adelia (Kattreh) Gierke. Fred attended and graduated from Kiel High School in 1959 where he was an honor student and a star athlete. After graduating from high school he attended the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse before transferring and graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where he received a bachelor's degree in 1964 and a master's degree in 1968. In 1970 Fred married Peg Brown and they resided in Winneconne their entire married lives. They just recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. Fred spent his entire educational career in the Winneconne School system. He started as a high school history teacher and then became High School Guidance Director until 1980, when he became principal of the Middle School. Fred then finished his career by going back to the high school and taught history on a part-time basis. He truly loved working for the Winneconne Community Schools. One of the highlights of his career was receiving the state supervision Administrator award presented by the Wisconsin School Counselors Association in 1988 for helping to develop one of the top guidance programs in the state. Fred also felt honored when the 1969 yearbook was dedicated to him. Fred also took and active role in his church and community. As a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Winneconne, Fred served on the church council, was a member of the CCD committee as well as served as a reader during church services for many years. Fred served nine years on the Winneconne Village Board in the 1980's, and was also a former member of the Kiwanis Club, Winneconne Men's Club, and various educational associations. Fred enjoyed reading (especially in his later years) as well as watching all sports in person and on TV. He enjoyed golfing (not putting) and also enjoyed attending musicals and plays. Besides traveling, Fred especially enjoyed being at the family cottage in Mount Morris to boat, read, and relax. Fred is survived by his wife, Peg Gierke, of Winneconne; his sisters, Margaret and Marcella, of Kiel; his brother, Dennis (Pat), of Fond du lac; sister-in-law, Pam (Don) Daczyk, of Allenville; nieces, Dayna, Tammy, Jennifer, Jackie (Paul) Schulz; nephew, Jim Daczyk; great-nieces and great-nephews, Rachael, Laura, Ahnalee, April, Christopher, Heather, Torrie, Lauren, and Brody; great-great- niece, Lilly; special relative, Robert Abell; and many special friends Along with his parents, Fred was also preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, James and Jacqueline Soley. A Funeral Mass for Fred will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 210 Pleasant Dr. Winneconne, with Fr. Doug LeCaptain officiating. Cremation will follow and inurnment will be at a later date in Lake View Memorial Park, Oshkosh. A Visitation for family and friends will be on Friday, April 29, from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Mueller Funeral Home, Winneconne, and will continue on Saturday at the church from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the Mass. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established. Mueller Funeral Home 904 E. Main St. Winneconne, WI 54986 (920) 582-4242 Please submit online condolences to www.muellerfuneralhomeinc.com