Edwin A. De Karske, 90, formerly of 1419 N. 12th Street, a resident of Linden Grove, Waukesha, passed away surrounded by his family on Sunday afternoon, July 29, 2012 at Angels Grace Hospice in Oconomowoc. Born July 21, 1922 in Sheboygan, Ed was a son of the late August and Olga Degenkolbe De Karske. He attended area schools and graduated from Central High School in 1940. He then went on to serve his country in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1946. On October 2, 1946, he was united in marriage to Gertrude F. Kraemer in Sheboygan. They were married for 52 years before Gertrude preceded him in death on February 16, 1999. Ed worked in the stock control department at Hayssen/Bemis Manufacturing for 30 years before retiring on July 1, 1983. He previously worked at Thonet Manufacturing Company. He was a lifelong member of St. John's United Church of Christ where he sang in the choir. He was a member of the Riverdale Legends of Golf, the Sheboygan Barbershop Chapter, the Plymouth Barbershop Chorus of Kettle Moraine and the Tune Hawkers Barbershop Quartet. He enjoyed golfing and fishing, especially in Red Lake, Ontario and was an avid Brewers, Packers and Badgers fan. He will be dearly remembered as a devoted family man. He is survived by his two sons, Daniel (Kristine), Waukesha, and Harold, Oshkosh; four grandchildren, Alyssa (Travis) Knutson, Pewaukee, Andrea De Karske, Denver, CO, Neil (Shaheda Govani) De Karske, Oshkosh, and Ian De Karske, Oconomowoc. He is further survived by his daughter-in-law, Kathryn De Karske, Omro; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides his parents and wife, Gertrude, he was preceded in death by his sister, Carolyn De Karske and his step-mother, Irene De Karske. Funeral services for Edwin will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 11, 2012 at the Lippert-Olson Funeral Home, 1132 Superior Avenue. The Rev. Gregory Whelton, pastor of St. John's UCC, will officiate. Family and friends are welcome at the funeral home on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will take place in Wildwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in his name for St. John's United Church of Christ Building Fund or Angels Grace Hospice, Oconomowoc. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Waukesha Memorial Hospital, Linden Grove and Angels Grace Hospice for all of their loving care and support.
