Obituary for Erwin Heinz Warnke
Erwin Heinz Warnke, known to many as Opa, age 89, passed away at home on January 17, 2024, in the town of Black Wolf, Wisconsin. Erwin was born to parents, Richard and Herta (Schuetz) Warnke, on June 16, 1934, in Zachasberg, Wartheland/ Germany.
He moved to the United States from Germany when he was a young man. On October 31, 1959, he married the love of his life, Margot Oesterreich, in Milwaukee, WI. Erwin & Margot started a family and dedicated their love for each other and their two daughters until her passing on Jan. 31, 1976.
Erwin was a masonry builder for his entire career and had his own business. Over the years he created many beautiful structures, his favorite one being his lake home. No one could build a fireplace like Erwin! In his younger years, he enjoyed hunting in Montana and Wyoming. One of Erwin’s most memorable trips was in December 1989. Erwin went to Germany with his family and reunited with friends and family he had not seen in over 35 years. He was also able to go back in 2006 for the World Cup Soccer, and always loved watching soccer games.
Throughout the years Erwin enjoyed gardening and always had the best gardens. Erwin loved spending time with his family, especially with the Warnke’s and the Heizmann’s, along with many, many friends. Erwin enjoyed throwing some of the best Spanferkel & Chicken Roasts at his lake home. Erwin’s loved ones will always cherish those good times and memories. He was the best joke teller, enjoyed good food, and a good schnapps. He was one of kind and a special person to all who knew him. Erwin had a kind heart and was a sweet, funny man and anyone who knew him loved him. Erwin was an amazing Dad to his two daughters and a wonderful Opa to all his grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by many.
Survivors include his daughters, Marion (Chris) Massey, and Monica (Richard) Schmalz; grandchildren, Michelle (Grant) Rucinski, Amanda Massey, Tony (Alexandria) Massey, Allison Adkins, Brittany Schmalz, and Alec Schmalz; and many other family and friends.
Preceding him in death is his wife, Margot Warnke; parents, Richard and Herta Warnke; five brothers; and one sister.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Fox Cities Funeral Home, 3026 Jackson St., Oshkosh, Wisconsin, from 12:00 noon to 2:00pm, with a private Celebration of Life to follow.
Erwin’s final resting place will be by his loving wife Margot, at Riverside Cemetery.
The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Lexi and Roberta, for their special hospice care, and for going above and beyond their duties to care for Erwin. He was not treated like a patient, he was treated like family. Roberta thank you for always putting a big smile on his face and for all the laughter and love you provided to him.
You are not forgotten, loved one
Nor will you ever be,
As long as life and memory last
We will remember thee.
We will miss you now, our hearts are sore,
As time goes by we’ll miss you more.
Your loving smile, your gentle face,
No one can fill your vacant place.
“You Are Not Forgotten” – Author Unknown
He moved to the United States from Germany when he was a young man. On October 31, 1959, he married the love of his life, Margot Oesterreich, in Milwaukee, WI. Erwin & Margot started a family and dedicated their love for each other and their two daughters until her passing on Jan. 31, 1976.
Erwin was a masonry builder for his entire career and had his own business. Over the years he created many beautiful structures, his favorite one being his lake home. No one could build a fireplace like Erwin! In his younger years, he enjoyed hunting in Montana and Wyoming. One of Erwin’s most memorable trips was in December 1989. Erwin went to Germany with his family and reunited with friends and family he had not seen in over 35 years. He was also able to go back in 2006 for the World Cup Soccer, and always loved watching soccer games.
Throughout the years Erwin enjoyed gardening and always had the best gardens. Erwin loved spending time with his family, especially with the Warnke’s and the Heizmann’s, along with many, many friends. Erwin enjoyed throwing some of the best Spanferkel & Chicken Roasts at his lake home. Erwin’s loved ones will always cherish those good times and memories. He was the best joke teller, enjoyed good food, and a good schnapps. He was one of kind and a special person to all who knew him. Erwin had a kind heart and was a sweet, funny man and anyone who knew him loved him. Erwin was an amazing Dad to his two daughters and a wonderful Opa to all his grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by many.
Survivors include his daughters, Marion (Chris) Massey, and Monica (Richard) Schmalz; grandchildren, Michelle (Grant) Rucinski, Amanda Massey, Tony (Alexandria) Massey, Allison Adkins, Brittany Schmalz, and Alec Schmalz; and many other family and friends.
Preceding him in death is his wife, Margot Warnke; parents, Richard and Herta Warnke; five brothers; and one sister.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Fox Cities Funeral Home, 3026 Jackson St., Oshkosh, Wisconsin, from 12:00 noon to 2:00pm, with a private Celebration of Life to follow.
Erwin’s final resting place will be by his loving wife Margot, at Riverside Cemetery.
The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Lexi and Roberta, for their special hospice care, and for going above and beyond their duties to care for Erwin. He was not treated like a patient, he was treated like family. Roberta thank you for always putting a big smile on his face and for all the laughter and love you provided to him.
You are not forgotten, loved one
Nor will you ever be,
As long as life and memory last
We will remember thee.
We will miss you now, our hearts are sore,
As time goes by we’ll miss you more.
Your loving smile, your gentle face,
No one can fill your vacant place.
“You Are Not Forgotten” – Author Unknown