Henry G. “Hank” Deml
1932-2023
Henry G. “Hank” Deml, also known as “Hammering Hank”, age 91, of Medford, town of Little Black, died Nov. 15, 2023 at his home while under the care of his family and Hope Hospice. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Medford with Fr. Patrick McConnell officiating. Military rites will follow the service at the church and will be provided by the Medford Area Military Honors Team.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 12 at the church.
Memorials are appreciated and may go to Holy Rosary Catholic School or to Hope Hospice.
Hank was born July 16, 1932 in Medford to John and Mary (Ertl) Deml. He attended Thielke Grade School and graduated from Medford High School, class of 1951. He worked on the family farm until 1954 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army.
He served in the Army from 1954 until his honorable discharge in 1956 and spent most of his service in Germany.
On Sept. 8, 1956, he married Patricia “Pat” Baumgartner at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Medford. They resided in the town of Little Black where he and Pat owned and operated a mink ranch for 40 years. In his retirement, Hank did some ginseng farming, drove truck for Bauer and Pernsteiner Trucking, and worked at Cenex.
Over the years, Hank was involved with and a member of several organizations, including the Mink Association; the Knights of Columbus where he was a Deputy Grand Knight and Grand Knight; and the Medford VFW Post #5729. He volunteered his time at Holy Rosary, where he organized and started the BBQ chicken dinners which he ran for many years. He also enjoyed bowling, golfing, hunting, fishing, wood crafts, trips with Pat, and treasured time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by five sons, John (Jeannie) Deml, Steve (Patti) Deml, all of Medford, Tom (Amy) Deml of Little Falls, Minn., Paul Deml of Medford, Doug (Jessica) Deml of Cameron Park, Calif.; a brother, Ray (Janet) Deml of Medford; sister, Agnes Robida of Medford; in-laws, Mary Jane Deml, Mary Deml, both of Medford, Theoma Deml of Pa., Joanne Schuster of Medford, Mike (Cathy) Baumgartner of Wausau; 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law, Francis and Frances Baumgartner; his wife, Pat on Dec. 27, 2022; granddaughter, Laura Deml; siblings, Andy, Joe, and Romie Deml, Madlin (Marcel) Kulig, Mary Emmerich Molitor; in-laws, Lee Schuster, Bill Robida, Gerald, David and Robert Baumgartner.
Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family.
Please visit www.hemerfuneralservice.com to share condolences online.
Paid Obituary 145571
