Corliss M. Bleeke

Corliss M. Bleeke passed away August 17, 2020 at the age of 91 years. She was born September 22, 1928, in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of Fred and Caroline (nee Rennicke) Sachse. Corliss was baptized into the Christian faith, and confirmed that faith, at First Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cedarburg. On August 26, 1951, Corliss married Milton H. Bleeke at First Immanuel, where her father-in-law was pastor. Their union lasted 55 loving years. Milton and Corliss had two sons, Joel and John. As a young girl, Corliss exhibited a special musical talent and won competitions for her accordion playing. Later in life, she also played the piano and organ. After high school in Cedarburg, Corliss attended Concordia-River Forest, where she trained to be an elementary school teacher. Her first job was at Bethlehem Lutheran School in Milwaukee (closed, 2013), where she often had classes of 50+ students. After marriage, she taught at St. Paul Lutheran School (Grafton) and First Immanuel Lutheran School (Cedarburg). Following the family’s move to Ripon in 1966, Corliss administered the Evening Adult Program for the Morraine Park Technical Institute and helped to establish Messiah Lutheran Church, a Missouri Synod mission congregation. Corliss and Milton moved to Oak Creek in 1975 when Milton accepted the position of superintendent of Oak Creek/Franklin Public Schools. They were long-time members of Grace Lutheran Church in Oak Creek. With Milton, Corliss enjoyed international travel, Elderhostels, and camping with the “Ripon Group.” Later, she treasured time with her family at the lake, loved to watch the birds in her backyard, and enjoyed playing cards with her many devoted friends. Corliss is survived by her son John and daughter-in-law Marian of Clayton, Missouri, and by her grandchildren, Caroline, Jeremy, and Laura of New York City. She was preceded in death by her son Joel of Chicago (in 1997) and her husband Milton (in 2006). Funeral Services for Corliss will be held at Grace Lutheran Church (3381 E. Puetz Road) in Oak Creek on Friday, August 21 at 2:00 PM. Relatives and friends may meet the family at the church from 1:00 PM until the time of service. Attendance in the sanctuary will be strictly limited in keeping with CDC pandemic guidelines. An overflow area will allow guests who cannot be accommodated in the sanctuary to listen to the service. The family requires that masks be worn to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Interment will take place at Zur Ruhe Cemetery (N69 W6000 Bridge St) in Cedarburg at 4:00 PM. Memorial contributions can be made to the Joel A. Bleeke Memorial High School Scholarship Funds at Grace Lutheran Church (Oak Creek), St. Paul Lutheran Church (Grafton) or First Immanuel Lutheran Church (Cedarburg). Please make out the check to the church and write “JAB Scholarship Fund” in the memo line. The Bleeke family invites you to an open house in Corliss’s lovely backyard at 625 E. Lakeview Drive, Oak Creek, on Saturday, August 22. Please drop in anytime between Noon and 4:00 PM.