Bruce F. Ehlke

Bruce F. Ehlke passed away peacefully on September 23rd, 2023 at his home in Madison. His loving wife, Lois, was by his side. He was born to Roland W. Ehlke and Mary Mueller Ehlke on August 31, 1942, and grew up in Two Rivers and Milwaukee, WI. After graduating from Wisconsin Lutheran High School in 1960, Bruce obtained his B.A. Degree at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and his J.D. Degree at the University of Wisconsin Law School-Madison.

Bruce enjoyed a long and successful legal career. He dedicated most of his professional life to advocating for workers’ rights. For many years he was a partner at Lawton and Cates in Madison and went on to work for a firm that is now known as Hawks Quindel, f/k/a Hawks Quindel Ehlke & Perry. During his career Bruce served on many committees of the State Bar of Wisconsin and was previously the president of the Dane County Bar Association.

When not practicing law, Bruce enjoyed participating in the Wisconsin State Historical Society’s Reading Group, as well as reading history in general; attending the theater, music concerts and Wisconsin Badger football games; gathering with family, friends and neighbors at Friday evening fish fries and family picnics; and spending time with grandchildren. For many years, through the end of the 2017 season, he also enjoyed playing softball in the Madison School and Community Recreation Sports Leagues’ softball program, for over 20 of those years as a member of the “Strange Gloves” softball team. Bruce was actively involved with his church, serving as president of the WLS Chapel and Student Center. He was also a great animal lover and spent untold hours ensuring his dogs had everything they needed. During this last year of his life, pups Ginger and Savannah were close by his side.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Lois (Bence) Ehlke, his sons Stephen (Shelly Weber), and Christopher (Rebecca Stephenson), daughter Kara, and son, John; five grandchildren, Alexandra, Cassandra, and Michael Danca and Anna and Sebastian Ehlke. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Roland Cap Ehlke and his wife Jacqualine Caren Ehlke.

A visitation will be held at the Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel, 220 W. Gilman Street, Madison from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 15th. A memorial service will take place immediately thereafter.

In place of flowers, please consider a donation in Bruce’s memory to the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) or the Wisconsin Historical Society.

The family would like to extend their deep gratitude to the staff at Agrace Hospice Care in Madison for the compassionate care that they provided to Bruce and his family over the last months of his life. Online condolences may be made at: www.Informedchoicefunerals.com

Informed Choice Funeral & Cremation Alternatives

 3325 E. Washington Ave., Madison, WI 53704