Mark Hemker

Mark Hemker, age 50, of Freeport, died Tuesday, June 6, 2006 at the Melrose Area Hospital.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 9 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport with Rev. Roger Klassen, O.S.B. officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the church in Freeport. National Catholic Society of Foresters will pray at 4 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 8 p.m. Thursday evening.

Mark Hemker was born August 19, 1955 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is the son of Virgil and Lola (Hoffmann) Hemker. He married Joan Bredeck on August 20, 1977 in Albany. Mark was a banker for 20 years and lived in Freeport all his life. He was a proud owner and creator of Hemker Wildlife Park along with his wife, Joan and children, Heidi and her husband, Chris Roering, Jacqueline, Anne, and Marcus. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the National Catholic Society of Foresters of Freeport. Mark enjoyed hunting, trapping, trap shooting and laughing.

Survivors include his wife, Joan Hemker of Freeport; children, Heidi Roering and her husband, Chris of St. Joseph, Jacqueline, Anne, and Marcus Hemker of Freeport; and mother, Lola Hemker of Melrose.

Mark was preceded in death by his father, Virgil Hemker.

Serving as casket bearers will be Deb Evens, Jack Evens, Jeanne Birr, Freddie Wilmoth, Ann Spanier, Wayne Spanier, Allen Notch, and Don Glatzmaier. Serving as cross bearer will be Kevin Vogel and scripture bearer will be John Bloch. Honorary bearers will be Ben Imdieke, Mark Roelike, Matt Mader, Luke Mader, Ryan Schmiesing, Jason Heinen, Bill Elliott, Frank Elliott, Ben Hoeschen, Joe Hoeschen, and Greg Fuchs.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Hemker Wildlife Park.