William Henry Tacke

William (Bill) Henry Tacke, award winning artist, passed away peacefully on January 20th, 2025, at the age of 94, at his home in New Ulm, Minnesota. He was born to Reverend Arthur and Esther (Jeske) Tacke on December 30th, 1930, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was there that he later attended Layton School of Art in pursuit of his BFA in Industrial Design.

In 1953 he entered the U.S. Army and served in Japan during the Korean Conflict. Upon return to the U.S., he attended Wisconsin State-River Falls and completed his BFA. It was there that he met Alta Mae Crosby at the Lutheran Campus House during a Sunday night worship service.

Bill and Mae were married in 1955. They purchased a small house in West Bend, Wisconsin, and began their life together. Bill worked in the corporate world as an industrial designer, until he left that world “in the spirit of ‘76” to become a full-time fine art painter. His work is shown in personal, corporate and museum collections. His gallery shows and art fairs took him around the United States, and his love of travel (and his search for the perfect hamburger) took him several times around the world.

Bill was active in his church, professional artists’ groups, and the DFL. Anyone who knew Bill knew his love for the promotion of equal rights in our society, and his willingness to discuss it.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Alta Mae; his four children, Mark Tacke (Rachel), Deb Libka (Tom), Lin Birkholz (Mark), Kimarie Tacke; his 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by parents, Arthur and Esther (Jeske)Tacke; brother, Arthur (Bobbie) Tacke; sisters, Esther (Henry) Bartelt, Grace (Frank) Contrades.

The family would like to thank Allina Hospice, the VA services through MN Comfort Care, St. Paul’s Lutheran Ministry team, and Thrivent Financial, for the skill, compassion, and resources they provided Bill and Mae, and the humor they exchanged with Bill that he loved so much.

Memorials in Bill’s name can be sent to Martin Luther College Tuition Assistance or Union Gospel Ministries -Twin Cities.

Memorial/Celebration of Life for Bill will be planned for a later date in 2025 when family and friends can gather. In the meantime, and in the words of friend Greg Thiesfeldt: “Well, good for you, Bill!”