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LaVern C. Wanke
1929
- 2019
LaVern C. Wanke, 89, of Watertown, passed away at Rainbow Hospice on Sunday, March 24, 2019, surrounded by his family.
LaVern was born in Watertown on April 24, 1929, to John E. and Irene (Pitterle) Wanke. He grew up in the town of Emmet working on the family farm and attended St. Henry grade school through eighth grade.
He served in the Korean War as a corporal where he received the Purple Heart.
On May 14, 1955, he
married Mary Oestreich at St. Henry’s, where he was a
lifelong member. LaVern
was an electrician and worked many years for Degner
Electric. He also worked at Lindberg Hevi-Duty, and Watertown Metal Products where he retired in
1995. After retirement, he worked at
Kraemer Dairy.
LaVern
is survived by his wife, Mary, of 63 years; four children, John and Anne, both
of Watertown, Dan (Jill) of Madison and Teresa (Russ) Lehmann of Watertown;
four grandchildren, James (Megan), Julia (Cody Zeimetz),
Michael (Lauren Yaeger), Samantha (Johnny) Gast; great-grandchildren, Cameron,
and Jordan (due in July); sister Lorraine Justmann of
Markesan; sister-in-law Rose Haznaw; brothersin- law Jim Kraemer, Dick (Jody River) Oestreich, Jim (Judith Frankfurt) Oestreich.
He was preceded in
death by his parents John and Irene, granddaughter Courtney Lehmann, brother
and sister-in-law Harold and Gert Wanke, brothers in-
law Don Haznaw and Clark Justmann
and sister-in- law Joanne Kraemer.
LaVern
also volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul, Lions Club Eye Transporter, St. Henry’s
Courtyard, Blood Bank and also was a longtime blood
donor. He belonged to the Holy Name
Society, American Legion Post #189, DAV Post #63 and was fortunate to go on the
Honor Flight in 2014. He enjoyed
traveling, woodworking, sheepshead, bowling and gardening, and spending time
with his grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian
burial will be held at St. Henry’s Catholic Church at 11 a.m. on Thursday with
Father Patrick Wendler officiating. Friends
may call at 9 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial
with the military honor guard will follow the service at St. Henry’s Cemetery.
Memorials can be
made to St. Henry Catholic Church, Rainbow Hospice or Badger Honor Flight.
The family would
like to send a special thanks to Rainbow Hospice for the loving care they gave
La-Vern in his final days.
Schmutzler-Vick Funeral Home & Cremation Service 500 Welsh Road Watertown
History
of Watertown, Wisconsin