Lew Edward Wartman
HARTLAND - Peacefully passed away on Wednesday, October 25 at the age of 92, while residing at Heritage Lake Country in Hartland, Wisconsin. He was born on August 11, 1931, in Eden Valley, Minnesota to George and Katherine (Henneman) Wartman and preceded in death by his wife Mary Jo and brothers Richard (Polly) and Dave (Carol). At the age of four, his family relocated to Ashland where his father acquired a funeral home which later became the “Wartman Funeral Home.” He graduated from DePadua High School in 1949 where he actively participated in the football and basketball teams. In 1953, Lew earned his degree from the University of Wisconsin Madison, majoring in “all the pretty girls on campus” particularly Mary Jo Meyer, whom he eventually married and affectionately referred to as, “ole blue eyes.” He had a deep affection for the Wisconsin Badgers, was a proud and devoted member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and member of the Bascom Hill Society.
Following his graduation, Lew enlisted in the United States Army, where he served as a First Lieutenant and assumed the role of Commanding Officer for the 41st Military Police Detachment during the Korean War. Lew and Mary Jo eventually settled in Wauwatosa where they raised their four children.
Lew had a highly successful career at Merrill Lynch, dedicating nearly four decades to the firm. He achieved recognition as a member of the Charles E. Merrill Circle of Excellence which recognizes the firm’s top brokers. He was extremely loyal to Merrill Lynch and would often mention how much he loved going to work every day. On days when the market went up, Dad would come home and change into his “happy pants”, usually a bold red plaid. Dad enjoyed the art of dressing.
In retirement, Lew and Mary Jo spent their winters in Rio Verde, Arizona where they golfed and cherished their time with Lew’s siblings, Dave and wife Carol, Dick and wife Polly, Marie and husband Dick. Lew was an awful golfer with perhaps the most horrible swing imaginable, but he didn’t care. Dad loved people and golf was a sport where he could have a four-hour conversation with others.
Lew’s greatest love in life was his 62-year marriage to Mary Jo. He had a beautiful voice and loved singing while Mary Jo played the piano. He was a loving and proud father of, Susie (Michael) Greenberg of Atlanta, GA, Ann (Scott) Forrer of Durango, CO, Paul Wartman (Ellen) of Milwaukee, Richard (Stephanie) Wartman of Hartland; grandfather to 12 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
Lew lived out his Catholic faith and was actively involved at Christ King Parish in Wauwatosa where he volunteered time singing in the choir and as a CCD teacher.
The family would like to thank Shaun Lynch and all the caregivers at Heritage Lake Country and Brighton Hospice for the tender care they administered to Lew in his final months.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, November 11th at St. Charles Parish, Hartland from 10:00 AM until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:15 AM followed by Military Honors and lunch reception at Wisconsin Memorial Park at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Charles Parish.