Richard Frank Lenzke, Sr.

Service Details

Family and friends are invited to a visitation for Richard at the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home, 4600 County Line Road, Mt. Pleasant, WI on Thursday, January 4, from 3-5 pm.

The service will follow at 5:00 pm and attendees are encouraged to wear red or UW Badger Football athletic-wear.  

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Racine – Richard Frank Lenzke, Sr. died peacefully in his home surrounded by family on December 19, 2023 at the age of 93.

Richard Lenzke, Sr. was affectionally known as ‘Dick’ by all those who knew and loved him. He was born in Racine, WI on April 1, 1930 to Walter Lenzke, Sr., and Violet (nee Flanigan) Lenzke. He was raised by his beloved mother, Violet, and grandmother, Helen (nee Freitag) Flanigan.

Richard was united in marriage to Ethel (nee Mason) Lenzke on August 6, 1949 at St. Patrick’s Church in Racine, WI where they worshipped. Ethel was his best friend, soulmate, and wife of 67 years. She passed away on January 23, 2016 at the age of 82.

He was a graduate of Racine Horlick High School and for many years served on the Class of 1949 High School Reunion planning committee. Each year at the reunion, Richard and Ethel received the longest married couple award up until Ethel died. He had a long and varied career, including his early jobs as a theater usher, window display sign-painter at Mohr Jones, employed by Porter’s Furniture, and as a busboy at the Hotel Racine with his mother and grandmother. In later years, he worked a number of manufacturing jobs including, Walker Manufacturing. Along with two of his friends, he augmented the family income by cleaning the Racine Public Library, churches, and homes.

Richard was most proud of his 30-year career working for the Racine Unified School District as a custodian at Henry Mitchell School from which he retired. In addition, he was the Unified School District Custodial Staff Trainer. Richard trained over 335 custodians during his career. Many of his friends were teachers and he was affectionately known as ‘Dick the Janitor’ by the students. He was a lifelong union member and displayed yard signs at his corner home for the candidates he supported.

He had many interests, and when young, participated in high school sports and was a jitterbug dancing champion. He loved music of all kinds, but was especially fond of country western and the rhythm and blues of the 1950s and 1960s. Richard’s biggest passions were University of Wisconsin Badger and Green Bay Packer Football. For many years, along with his family, he attended UW Badger games in Madison. After he retired, Richard and Ethel took many vacation bus trips across the United States, sometimes with their granddaughter, Casey (nee Lenzke) Starling, who they helped raise. Throughout his life, Richard welcomed the friends of all his children into his home.

Richard remembered nearly everyone he ever met. He never met a stranger. He was known for his blue eyes, trademark smile, and stories. He never cussed, never had a driver’s license, and never owned a credit card. He read the newspaper daily, from cover-to-cover. In his retirement, he liked his beer, sweets, and weekly lunches of Chick-fil-A.

Richard and Ethel raised six children. He is survived by Linda Lenzke, Madison, Richard (Nancy) Lenzke, Jr., Castle Rock, CO., Kelly (Bill) Zickus, Racine, and Tami (Ron) Reschke of Madison. He was preceded in death by daughters, Roz Lenzke and Cindy Castro, both of Racine.

He was a grandfather to eight grandchildren, John (Nikki) Nelson of Las Vegas, NV, Jennifer (Becky) Lenzke of Menomonee Falls, WI, Casey (Ben) Starling of Vicenza, Italy, Daniel Zickus of Arlington, TX, Alec Lenzke, Denver, CO, Taryn (Daniel) Naus of West Allis, WI, and Quinn and Gemma Beirne of Madison. Richard is survived by 10 great grandchildren and one great great-grandchild.

He was also preceded in death by his mother, Violet, and father, Walter Lenzke Sr., grandmother Helen and grandfather, Frank Flanigan. Richard was preceded in death by his siblings, Betty (Vernon) Nelson, Walter Lenzke, Jr., Georgia (Louis) Polzin and half-brother, Ronald Lenzke. Richard had many uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends who he outlived.

Family and friends are invited to a visitation for Richard at the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home, 4600 County Line Road, Mt. Pleasant, WI on Thursday, January 4, from 3-5pm. The service will follow at 5:00 pm and attendees are encouraged to wear red or UW Badger Football athletic-wear.

A private internment is the next day, January 5, at Graceland Cemetery, Racine, WI. The family wishes to thank Ascension All Saints Hospital, Racine, WI, which he referred to the staff as ‘his angels’ for their compassionate care.