Ronald R. Hemker

Ronald (Ron) Hemker passed away at home, surrounded by his family, on Sunday, November 12th, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born on July 8, 1946, right after his twin brother, Donald, to Hilbert and Mildred (Anderson) Hemker.  He and his 4 brothers grew up on a farm nestled in the rolling hills at the end of Russlan Coulee road in Barre Mills.

Ron graduated from West Salem High School in June,1964.  He went right to work at Webster Lumber Co. in Bangor, WI. in July, 1964 as a tally man and lumber piler. Ron also enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves that summer.  While serving, he attended Carpenter School at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri.
Ron furthered his education by completing Grading School at the National Hardwood Lumber Association in Memphis, TN.  He graduated with his certification in February, 1968, and went right back to work at Websters in Bangor, as a lumber inspector. He also assisted in the construction of new dry kilns.

In October of 1971, Ron and Cheri Luedtke eloped and were married in Rochester, MN.  They recently celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary together.

In May, 1972, Ron accepted a new role with Erickson Hardwoods in Onalaska, where he trained lumber inspectors, supervised the lumber yard and managed personnel.  He thrived in his role and wore many hats while building what proved to be lifelong relationships with work mates and business contacts over the years.

After a brief stint in 1977-78 working as a sawmill foreman for Weyerhaeuser Co. in Jefferson, PA., he moved his family back to Onalaska. He assumed the role of plant superintendent and sawmill foreman at Northwest Hardwoods.  Ron would go on to lead all Operations at the Onalaska sawmill until his first retirement in 2008.  His career in the Hardwood Lumber industry enabled him to travel to many parts of the world and his knowledge and expertise was shared with clients in Japan, Taiwan, Germany, Canada, Italy, France, and Denmark.  He was widely respected and his experience was valued, and sought out by colleagues and clients throughout the country and the industry.  Ron worked for a total of 47 years in the lumber industry.

Ron played sports and had many hobbies throughout his life.  In his twenties, he was very active in fast-pitch baseball.  Ron's pitching skills frequently put him into the local spotlight and his wicked fastball earned him a beloved nickname with team mates and loyal fans.  Ron pitched several no-hitter games during his fast-pitch career.  Ron also enjoyed bowling, and he was in many leagues over the years.  Later in life, family bowling nights became a cherished holiday tradition in the Hemker household.

Ron truly loved golfing.  He loved hitting the course with any of his buddies, his work colleagues, or his brothers, no matter where. For a great portion of his life, it was easy to find Ron at the Coulee Golf Bowl.  Wednesday nights were Mens' nights at the course, and he usually played another 18 to 36 holes there on the weekends as well.  Ron achieved his first hole-in-one on #5 at the Coulee, in the presence of his pals. He notched his second hole-in-one, years later at Trempealeau Mountain Golf Club.

Few things brought Ron greater joy than his 3 grandkids.  He was so proud of each of them, and he attended as many practices, meets, matches, and games as he and Grandma Cheri possibly could.  He loved watching Mailen play football and baseball, and it was truly special for him to see his legacy carried on when his grandson was pitching in a game. Ron was also so very proud of his granddaughter, Mariana, who competed in gymnastics for over 13 years.  Ron was able to see her qualify for State and Regional meets in the Midwest. Ron called grandson Calvin his "little vitamin pill" and absolutely loved getting hugs from his little guy.  Right up until the very end, anytime Calvin was near, Poppa Ron was asking for "his vitamin" and Calvin would come running, climbing right up into Poppa Ron's lap for hugs.

Ron was a proud family man.  He is survived by Cheri, his wife of 52 years, and by his son Derek (Theresa) of Farmington, MN., daughters Heather of LaCrosse, and Valerie (Bart) of Minnetonka, MN., grandchildren Mailen, Mariana, and Calvin of Farmington, MN., and brother Robert (Carol) Hemker of Phenix City, AL.  Ron was a favorite uncle to many of his 49 nieces and nephews, and he is survived by many great nieces and nephews and extended family as well.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Calvin (Joanne), Harold (Bonnie), twin brother Donnie (Hannelore), and many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends.   He will be forever loved and remembered for his quiet intellect, his love of life, his sense of humor, his talents with woodworking and carpentry, and his intense love for his family.  We will miss him terribly but we know he is no longer suffering.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 1:00 PM at St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Onalaska. Pastor Daniel Olson will officiate. Friends may call at the church on Saturday from 11:00 AM until the time of services.