Joseph "Joe" Wanner

Joseph M. "Joe" Wanner, of Waukesha, died Sunday, March 9, 2008 at his home at the age of 77. He was born on March 16, 1930 in Milwaukee, WI the son of Max and Margaret (nee Freuh) Wanner. In 1957 he was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest. He served as priest of St. Peter Claver Parish in Sheboygan where he organized and directed a large boys chorus called the Claverlads. Following his assignment at St. Peter Claver he served many other parishes throughout the Milwaukee area. He continued his career as the chaplain at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater during the early 1970's. On November 23, 1972 he married Ann (nee Fitzpatrick) Wanner. Joe served as the director of religious education at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Waukesha, and at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Menomonee Falls. While at Good Shepherd he started an innovative children's liturgy program where children of the parish would celebrate the Word of God. He continued and further developed the children's liturgy program while at St. John Neumann Catholic Church where he served as pastoral associate. In his final ministry he proudly served as the Waukesha County Jail Chaplain. Joe was a very giving person, who touched many lives. He will be sadly missed by his family, friends and all those he served. He is survived by his loving wife, Ann of Waukesha, his children; Matthew (Leah) Wanner of Waukesha, Margaret (Michael) Sullivan of Marshfield, WI, and David (Stephanie) Wanner of Waukesha. He was the proud grandfather to six grandchildren; Ethan, Erin, and Paige Wanner of Waukesha, Will and Sophie Sullivan of Marshfield, and Olivia Wanner of Waukesha. He is further survived by his brother David (Joan) Wanner of Hartland, along with other relatives and many friends. He is preceded in death by his parents. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 from 4:00 until the 7:00PM Vigil Service at Randle-Dable Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Ave., Waukesha, WI. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 10:00AM at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 822 N. East Ave., Waukesha. Private family burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the St. Dismas Jail Ministry c/o St. Vincent De Paul 305 E. Main Street, Waukesha, WI 53186. For further information, please call Randle-Dable Funeral, Cremation and Preplanning Services at (262) 547-4035, or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com for directions or to leave an on-line tribute.