Gail Koenke, 91, of Brown Deer, Wisconsin, passed away on Wednesday, August 11, 2026.

She was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on March 27, 1935, to Milton and Irene Weltzien. 

She graduated from Rufus King High School in Milwaukee, WI. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from UW-Madison and a master’s degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.

While in graduate school, she met her husband, Roger Koenke. They married on June 13, 1964, and raised two children in Brown Deer, Wisconsin. Gail was an avid reader as a child. That love led her to become an elementary school teacher and reading specialist in Brown Deer School District. As she became a mother, she balanced her roles as a teacher and a mother by starting her own tutoring business and substitute teaching. She dedicated her professional life to ensuring that students with reading struggles not only learned to read but also developed a love of learning and a curiosity about life.

Gail loved the home and yard she created with her husband, Roger. When at home, she could be found playing the piano, taking impeccable care of their house, and caring for her family. She spent endless hours gardening and enjoying the flowers, birds, and butterflies that resulted from her efforts. She deeply enjoyed the outdoors and shared her passion with her friends, children, and grandchildren by organizing day trips, vacations, hikes, canoe paddles, and picnics to state and national parks, Door County, the Schlitz Audubon Society, and her beloved Northwoods of Wisconsin. She loved gathering friends and family around her dining room table for holidays and special occasions. Over the course of her life, she created and fostered many family traditions, values, and annual vacations that will be remembered and carried on by her family.

She is survived by her two children, Mark (Kristy) Koenke of Jackson, Wisconsin, and Julie (Amy Climer) Koenke of Asheville, North Carolina; her granddaughters, Haley (Alex Lutz) Koenke, of Denver, Colorado; Alissa (Trevor Greisinger) Koenke, of Madison, Wisconsin; and Tiffany Dixon, of Asheville, North Carolina. She is also survived by her extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roger Koenke; her beloved sister, Lynne Stadelmann; brother-in-law, Doug Stadelmann; and her parents, Milton and Irene Weltzien.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the Wisconsin Memorial Park, 13235 W Capitol Dr, Brookfield, WI 53005. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. with a service at 2:00 p.m., followed by a light lunch. Burial will be held after the service for the immediate family. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Gail’s name to the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center.