Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) Rev. Vilas “Zeke” E. Mazemke age 81 of the Town of Larrabee, Waupaca County entered eternal rest with his Lord
Friday morning January 27, 2023 after battling the effects of Parkinson’s Disease at his home.
Vilas Ervin Mazemke was born on August 16, 1941 in Weyauwega as the son of the late Ervin and Lucille (Koehler) Mazemke. He was baptized on September 14, 1941 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Manawa and confirmed on April 3, 1955 while graduating from the church’s elementary school. Zeke, as he was affectionately known as by most, then went on to study ministry at Concordia High School in Milwaukee; graduating in 1959. He continued his studies by also attending college at Concordia where he graduated in 1961 and went on to Concordia Senior College where he earned his B.A. Degree in 1963. Zeke then went on to Marquette University for 2 years during which time he was united in marriage to Connie Johnson at St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Zeke then went to Concordia Seminary in Springfield, IL serving his Vicarage in San Antonio, TX in 1967-1968, and graduating from the Seminary in 1969. Zeke’s first call as a new minister was to start a new congregation in Cerritos, CA. The Lord blessed his efforts and when he left they had an established church with 3 morning services, a day school thru the 8th grade, and also a daycare. He served in Cerritos from 1969-1982. Zeke then accepted the call to Grace Lutheran in Vancouver, WA in 1982 and again with the Lord’s help, healed a broken congregation. In 1991 he accepted the call to St. Martin Lutheran in Clintonville; retiring in 2004. From there, Zeke enjoyed helping congregations when needed in the surrounding area making new friends and memories. Aside from his family, Zeke was perhaps most proud of his time spent as a Chaplain in the United States Army Reserve. A title he held honorably from 1968 – 1999 which also earned him the Legion of Merit.
Zeke had a knack for making new friends and was gifted with the ability to share God’s love with them. He loved spending time with his family and friends; especially in the outdoors hunting or fishing.
Survivors include: His Wife: Connie.
Son: Eric Mazemke and his daughters; Elizabeth, Madelyn, & Sidney.
Daughter: Christal (Kevin) Buch and their children; Brady (Special Friend Kellynn Kaczorowski), Ashley, Emily, & Riley.
Cousin that was more like a sister: Betty (Roger) Bonikowske.
Nephews & Nieces: Michael (Brenda) Mazemke, Marsha (Terry) Handrich, Michele (Charles) Slater.
Also great-nieces & nephews and great-great-nieces & nephews.
Zeke was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Vernon (JoAnn) & Marvin (Carole), a granddaughter Kelsey Nicole Buch, and by his in-laws William & Helen Johnson.
Zeke’s funeral service will be held Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 12pm at St. Martin Lutheran Church in Clintonville with Rev. Jason Zobel and Rev. Clifford Kessen officiating. Visitation will be held at the Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory in Clintonville on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 from 4-7pm and again at the church on Thursday from 10am until the time of the service. Military honors will be conducted outside of the church following the funeral by members of the Clintonville American Legion Post #63, VFW Post #664, American Legion Auxiliary Unit #63, and D.A.V. Chapter #53. Interment will take place at Little Creek Cemetery in the Town of Little Wolf, Waupaca County. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund will be established by his family. www.eberhardtstevenson.com