George F. Wanish, age 94, a resident of 1903 Division Street, Apt. 228, Manitowoc, entered eternal life on Friday, November 19, 2021 at Aurora Medical Center in Two Rivers.
George was born on January 13, 19277 in Maribel to the late Frank and Mary (Cavanaugh) Wanish. Upon graduating from Denmark High School with the class of 1944, he enlisted in the United States Navy at age 17, and served for nearly 10 years during World War II and the Korean War. George served on various attach aircraft carriers as a morse-code radio operator and participated in the Admiral Byrd expedition to Antarctica in 1946 -1947. He served an additional 13 years in the Reserve components of both the Army and Navy, retiring in 1987. George came from a very patriotic family. He and his three brothers were all in the military service of our country at the same time during the Korean War. George in the US Navy, and John, Dan and Vic in the US Army. Their father Frank proudly served in the US Army in France during World War I. George married the former Marilyn Holdorf, the love of his life, in 1950 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Kellnersville.
George was employed by both the County and City of Manitowoc, including 11 years as a County Traffic Patrolman and eight years as the Manitowoc County Sheriff. He later served on the Manitowoc County Board of Supervisors and was a Volunteer Patrolman for the Sheriff’s Department. He was active for over 50 years in serving at Masses, as an alter boy, and coordinating the usher ministry of the former Holy Innocents Catholic Church, now St. Francis of Assisi on Waldo. George was a lifetime member of VFW Otto-Oas Post 659.
Survivors include George’s wife of 71 years, Marilyn; their four daughters, Debra Kluba, Manitowoc; Virginia (Bruce) Kraak, Greeley, CO; Tamara (Dr. David) Deubler, Kiel; and Jacque Milski, Oregon; seven grandchildren, Heath Kluba, Two Rivers; Elizabeth (Brandon) Best, Denver, CO; Christopher (Jaime) Kraack, Thornton, CO; Allison (Mike) Baumgartner, Plainfield, IL; Melyssa (Erik) Van Der Stuyf, Plainfield, IL; Abbie Milski, Oregon; and Alyssa Milski, Oregon; 10 great grandchildren, Ryan Kluba, Manitowoc; Rachel (Matthew) Coleman, Glendale, AZ; Magnolia and Poppy Best, Denver, CO; Jaxson and Wren Kraak, Thornton, CO; Charley and Frankey Baumgartner, Plainfield, IL; and Ascher and Maverick Van Der Stuyf, Plainfield, IL; brother, Dan (Dottie) Wanish, DePere; two sisters, Rita Tisler, Manitowoc; and Veronica Rabas, Kewaunee; also many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Mary Wanish; two brothers, John and Victor; sister, Florence Reedy; brother-in-law, Don Rabas; and son-in-law, Steve Kluba.
PRIVATE family funeral services for George’s immediate family only will be held at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 24, 2021. Rev. Gerald Foley will officiate with burial and military rites to take place at Evergreen Cemetery. Family and friends may join a live stream of George’s funeral service on the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home Facebook page at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 24, 2021. Also, a celebration of George’s life for extended and friends will be announced at a later date. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials in George’s name.
George’s family would like to extend their sincere thanks and appreciation during this difficult time to Aurora Hospice, the 3rd Floor staff at Aurora Medical Center in Two Rivers, and also the staff at The Court at Felician Village.
Remember George as a person fiercely proud of his God, his Country, and his family.
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
