Wade Eldon Warnke

Wade Eldon Warnke, age 69, of Ravina, SD passed away, Thursday, March 6, 2014 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, SD. Memorial Service will be 11:00 AM, Friday, March 14, 2014 at First Baptist Church, 305 South 4th Street, Albion, NE with Rev. Doug Shelton officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery, St. Edward, NE.

Wade Eldon Warnke, son of Wayne Edward and Mildred Iola (Swanson) Warnke, was born July 6, 1944, on a farm near Newman Grove, NE. His early years were spent on a farm near Newman Grove, NE, and later a farm near Wadena, MN. He attended school at the Wadena Public Schools in Wadena, MN and later obtained his GED.

On December 15, 1963, Wade married Audrey Lucile Carlson at Yankton, SD. Four daughters were born to this marriage, Ann Marie, Yvonne Marie, Dawn Michelle, and Sharon Kay.

Wade was baptized as an infant in the Lutheran faith. He re-affirmed his faith and acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized by immersion at the First Baptist Church in Norfolk, NE.

During Wade's lifetime he worked for his Uncle Gene Warnke in St. Edward, was a metal engraver in St. Paul, MN, farmed near Freedhem, MN, and was co-owner of Midwest Truck Repair in Norfolk, NE, a diesel mechanic for Contois Motor in Neligh, NE and for Affiliated Foods, Inc. in Norfolk, NE. His working career was ended due to an accident while working at Affiliated Foods.

Wade loved to hunt and fish. He looked forward to his hunting trips in Colorado and Idaho. His other hobbies included woodworking, gunsmithing and gardening.

Wade is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Audrey Warnke of Ravinia, SD; children and their spouses: Yvonne (Neal) Greenwald of Wayne, NE, Dawn (Oscar) Torres of Tripp, SD, and Sharon Warnke-Battles of Wayne, NE; six grandchildren: Daniel and Sarah Greenwald, April and Aaron Torres, and Joshua and Meghan Battles; one brother, Clinton (Terry) Warnke of Stanton, NE; two sisters, Janet (Thomas) Taylor of Cottage Grove, OR, and Gloria Lien of Minden, NE; two sisters-in-law, Janice (Donald) Metcalf of Grand Island, NE and Vivian (Kim) Torson of Omaha, NE; eight brothers-in-law, Richard (Louise) Carlson of Minden, NE, Melvin (Sandra) Carlson of Grand Island, NE, Darrel Carlson of Albion, NE, Delaine Carlson of Carlsbad, CA, Victor (Cindy) Carlson of Oakdale, NE, Maynard (JoAnn) Carlson of Boise, ID, Lewis (Pamela) Carlson of St. Edward, NE, Eldon (Jean) Carlson of Boise, ID, and numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Wade was preceded in death by one daughter, Ann Marie, his parents, Wayne and Iola Warnke, a sister and brother-in-law, Wynnette and Norman Elsenpeter, a brother-in-law, Wayne Lien, and one sister-in-law, Gloria Carlson.

The family is requesting no flowers. Memorials may be sent in lieu of flowers to the family. All memorial monies will be directed to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews for the "On Wings of Eagles" program in memory of Wade.