Robert Enke Obituary

Robert A. “AJ” Enke, age 63, of Mt. Hope, passed away on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at Gunderson Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse. He was born on February 13, 1962, in Prairie du Chien, the son of Charles B. and Irene E. (Long) Enke. AJ graduated from West Grant High School in 1980. Following graduation, he farmed the family farm and has farmed there all of his adult life. He felt joy and purpose in the simple, honest work of farming. On March 9, 2020, AJ was united in marriage to Paula Sturmer. He enjoyed horseback riding, riding his side-by-side, socializing with friends, and time at his cabin which he built. AJ sowed kindness wherever he went. Always ready to lend a hand, offer a tool, or share a story, he had a way of making others feel valued and welcome. To know him was to know generosity without expectation, humility without need for recognition, and friendship that could always be counted on. AJ was a mentor to young farmers and was fun-loving. He will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his wife, Paula; stepdaughters: Jasmine (Jake) Kopp and Shannon (Parker) Kirschbaum; grandchildren: Alice Rose and Colter Austin; his mother-in-law, Pam (Kirby) Toberman; his brother, William Enke; his sister, Jean (Dan) Case; his favorite niece, Penny (Dan) Schelberger and their children, Riley and Emma; brother-in-law, Peter Sturmer; other relatives and many friends.

In addition to his parents, AJ was preceded in death by a sister, Judy (Dennis) Paulus; his father-in-law, Gary “Pete” Sturmer.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. at Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Bloomington with Pastor Lance Wetter officiating. Private family burial will be at a later date. Family and friends may visit on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of services at the funeral home.