Jeffrey L. Gohlke

Jeffrey L. Gohlke, age 75, of Viroqua, died peacefully on May 3, 2022. A native of Milwaukee, Jeff made the communities he lived in better, whether through encouraging business development, helping get a new library built, or his work as a Rotarian. He had a long and distinguished career helping build Milwaukee’s economy and contributing to the success of local businesses, starting at the Department of City Development (DCD) in 1971 and retiring as VP of Industrial Development from MEDC (the Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation) in 2001. He began a second phase of his career after retiring to the Driftless area of Wisconsin, serving for six years as Viroqua city administrator and holding officer roles at VEDA (Vernon Economic Development Association), VDA (Viroqua Development Association), and in the Viroqua Area Rotary Club. Throughout his career, he was noted for his ability to navigate complex deals and his generosity with advice and counsel. Jeff was a devoted husband to wife, Carol; beloved father to Jason Gohlke (Dawn Lawhon), Jared Gohlke, MJ Jahntz (Zane Barlow) and Jill Whitcomb (Dan Kraft); and grandfather to Merrick, Alex, Ruthie, Emmy, and Susan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Lou Gohlke and Ellsworth “Budd” Gohlke. In his personal life, he was known for his love of family, his sense of humor, and the way he could be counted on to show up and get things done. If he said yes, he meant it. That integrity carried into all parts of his life. He was a graduate of Ripon College and Granville High School (Milwaukee) and an Army veteran. A celebration of Jeff’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, 2022, at Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home, 123 W. Decker St. in Viroqua. A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Online Condolences may be expressed at www.vossfh.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Viroqua Area Rotary Club. Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home & Crematory is serving Jeff's family. 123 W. Decker St. Viroqua, WI 54665 608-637-2100