Obituary: Erwin A.E. Waack

Erwin A.E. Waack, age 91, of Valders, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at his home.

Erwin was born on February 16, 1933 in Manitowoc, son of the late Emil and Bertha (Bubolz) Waack. Erwin was a lifelong member of St. John St. James Ev. Lutheran Church in Reedsville, having attended the grade school and was confirmed in May of 1947.  He graduated from Reedsville High School, class of 1951.  Erwin enlisted and served our country in the United States Army.  Then, on February 15, 1958, he married the former Elaine B. Wordell at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brillion. She preceded him in death on March 26, 2019. He and Elaine farmed in the Town of Eaton. Erwin was employed at various family dairy farms in the area, worked at Ariens and Union Brass and Aluminum for a time.  He and Elaine bought and ran their own dairy farm in 1958, selling it in 1997.  Even until the day he passed away, he was always working, even having employment at Dairyland Seed where he started working in 1958.  Erwin’s hobbies included bowling, softball, antiquing, cutting firewood, maple syrup production, woodworking with his sister, Ida May, attending Army Buddy Reunions, playing cards, listening to polka music, shooting bean bags, and attending his children and grandchildrens’ events.  He truly loved and enjoyed spending time with his family.

Survivors include his children: Cindy (Terry) Christianson of Valders, Randy (Sandy) Waack of Collins, Melanie (Todd) Hickmann of Branch, Angela (Todd) Behnke of Collins, Wendy (fiancée David Keehan) Linsmeier of Branch, Jon (Steph) Waack of Kiel; grandchildren: Chad Christianson, Sarah (Cory) Cornette, Alyssa Christianson, Austin (special friend Sandy T’eo) Waack, Lindsay Waack, Dereck Waack, Trent, Heather (special friend Jordan Balde), Kendra (special friend Roger Reilly), and Morgan Hickmann, Kate Linsmeier, Hunter and Gracyn Waack; great-grandchildren: Connor and Owen Cornette, and Emma Waack; one sister:  Ida May Krepline; two sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law: Audrey Wordell and Norman (Caroline) Krahn and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife: Elaine; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Hubert and Gertrude Wordell; a son-in-law: Gregg Linsmeier; two brothers and two sisters-in-law: Harvey (Charmaine) Waack and Elroy (June) Waack; one sister: Betty Krahn; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Erhardt Wordell, Elroy (Diane) Wordell, LaVerne (Norbert) Treichel, Irene (Jim) Decker and Orville Krepline.

Funeral Services were held at 12:00 p.m. (NOON) on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at St. John-St. James Lutheran Church in Reedsville. Officiating at the service was the Rev. Darin Aden.  Military Rites will be accorded by the AmVets Post 1032 of Reedsville.

The family met with relatives and friends on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at church from 9:00 a.m. until 11:45 a.m.

Online condolences may be made.

The Pielhop Wieting Funeral Homes of Reedsville and Brillion are assisting the family with funeral arrangements.