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Edward N. Wanke
1932- 2018
Edward N. Wanke, of Watertown, passed away at his home on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. Schmutzler-Vick Funeral Home & Cremation Service is assisting the family. Visitation will be on Saturday from 9:30-11 a.m. at St. Henry Catholic Church, 412 N. Fourth St., Watertown. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 11 a.m. with the Very Rev. Patrick J. Wendler officiating. Edward was a lifelong resident of Watertown and a lifelong member of St. Henry Catholic Church.
On Sept. 15, 1932, he was born to Anthony and Genevieve (Pitterle) Wanke. He was a graduate of St. Henry Catholic School and Watertown High School.
Edward served our country as a member of the United States Army from Jan. 16, 1953, through Nov. 14, 1954, during the Korean War.
On June 18, 1960, Edward was united in marriage to Marie Gmeinder at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Watertown. Edward and Marie were the proud parents of son Phillip (Julie) of Mindoro. Marie preceded Edward in death in 2008.
Edward was a welder for the former Syncromatic Corp. and the Biefeld Company in Watertown; Alloy Products in Waukesha; and an inspector with the Wisconsin Natural Gas Company in Watertown, retiring in 1994 after nearly 31 years of service with them. After retirement, Edward worked on a part-time basis for Schmutzler-Vick Funeral Home & Cremation Service.
Edward had numerous interests as an avid sheepshead player, woodworking, fishing, hunting, bowling and gardening. Edward co-chaired the courtyard between St. Henry’s School and Church for over 10 years.
Edward was a current member of the Catholic Knights of Columbus Council No. 1478, American Legion Post No. 189, Watertown Senior Center, AARP Chapter No. 3056, St. Vincent de Paul Society and has donated numerous gallons of blood for the American Red Cross Blood Bank. Edward was a former member of the St. Henry Cemetery Committee, the former Holy Name Society, St. Henry’s Usher Society, the Watertown 4-H Club, a volunteer at the former Beverly Terrace, Meal on Wheels, participated in numerous fundraising projects for various Watertown organizations and assisted with the St. Henry Aluminum Can Project for many years.
In addition to his son and daughter-in-law, Edward is survived by a grandson, Brandon, and brothers Donald (Jen) of Ixonia and Earl (Connie) of Watertown. He is further survived by a sister-in-law, Sister Marcus Gmeinder, C.S.A. of Fond du Lac; nieces and nephews Tonya (Sean) Hampson, Diane (Todd) Cantwell, Dan (Michelle) Wanke and Julie (Scott) Krahn, and several great-nieces and -nephews; many cousins, relatives and friends.
Edward was preceded in death by his wife, Marie, in 2008; a son, Patrick, in 1991; his parents; a brother in infancy in 1939; a sister- and brother-in-law, Joanne and Larry Pike; his father- and mother-in-law, Edwin and Emma Gmeinder; and grandparents.
Schmutzler-Vick Funeral Home & Cremation Service 500 Welsh Road Watertown
History of Watertown, Wisconsin