Carolyn Wanke (nee Stieglitz) age 96 found peace on September 12, 2024. Beloved wife of the late Robert Wanke. Loving mother of Richard Wanke, the late Thomas Wanke, Wayne (Cheryl) Wanke, and Mark (Mary) Wanke. Cherished grandmother of Alana Wanke (Charlie Spivey), Lindsay (Shea) Kampschroer, Joseph Wanke, Cierra Wanke, Matt (Amy) Wanke, Beth Wanke (Sam Stesman), David (Katie) Wanke and 2 great grandchildren. She is further survived by and will be dearly missed by other relatives and friends.
Carolyn was a charter member of Good Shepherd Parish where she practiced her faith & made many friends. There she would get together for faith sharing & sewing sleeping bags for the homeless. She also loved to knit hats, scarfs, & lots of slippers. Many were given as gifts along with donations to help the less fortunate.
Carolyn loved to sew. She made her own clothes in her earlier days. She would alter her own clothes, patch up holes in the knees of jeans, even replacing zippers on pants and jackets.
Carolyn loved to read & have “read-a-thons" & play games like Yahtzee & Uno when the grandchildren were young. As time went on, the games changed to the “Crazy Dice Game” (Left, Right, Center) and the “Naughty Game” (Cards Against Humanity). She loved to laugh & have fun!
Carolyn loved going “up north” enjoying time on her favorite porch swing & attending the annual “Wanke Fest” party. While sipping on an old fashioned she enjoyed socializing with everyone of all ages. She fit right in with any crowd with her gift of gab, be-it current events or times gone by.
Carolyn had a love or maybe some would call it an absolute obsession with cardinals. Not only was her house decorated throughout with them, but also her clothes, dishes, knick knacks, you name it, cardinals “flying” everywhere. She would sometimes refer to herself as the “crazy cardinal lady”.
Carolyn was a very good kindhearted & caring woman. She was also strong & independent but also very humble. She will be cherished & missed by the many that loved her. Truly a special lady.
Visitation on Thursday, September 26, 2024 at Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral Home, N84 W17937 Menomonee Ave in Menomonee Falls from 4PM until time of the Funeral Service at 6PM. Private family burial at Wisconsin Memorial Park. In Lieu of flowers, memorials to VFW, DAV or Good Shepherd Parish are appreciated. To livestream the visitation and Funeral Service, please click here. You must login to your Zoom account to view.
