Wolfgang H. Waterwiese

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Wolfgang H. Waterwiese, 87, peacefully passed away Monday, October 17, 2016 surrounded by family.

He was born October 2, 1929, in Gelsenkirchen-Horst, Germany, the son of Hermann & Elisabeth Waterwiese. He married Erika Waterwiese (née Disse) on May 16, 1959, in the Church of St. John the Baptist in St. Louis, MO.

Mr. Waterwiese is survived by 2 children, Norman (Terrie) Waterwiese of Chesterfield MO, and Ursula (George) Hayward of Chesterfield MO, loving Opa to his five grandchildren, Logan (Julie) Hayward, Wilson Hayward, Christa Waterwiese, Lillian Hayward, and the late Jackson Hayward, one great grandchild, Lucy Hayward, one dear brother, Wilhelm (Hilla) Waterwiese.

A private mass will be held at NHC Healthcare. In lieu of a visitation a Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.

Memorials suggested to his beloved Club of 54 years, the St. Louis Shooting Club d.b.a. Schützenverein St. Louis can be sent to Jon Luer, President, 1012 Van Loon Drive, Ballwin MO 63011-3652.

The family would appreciate your condolences at this website.
POEM:

“He came with $100, a level, and a brick trowel,
Over the sea on a ship called the S.S.United States,
In weather that was foul.

Moved to St. Louis from Germany in 1958,
Set his sights on a fresh start and it turned out great.

His German was fluent but his English was not,
So when he needed to eat he could not say a lot,
Two words he mastered were scrambled eggs,
So guess what he ate for many, many days.

His venture worked so he sent for his love,
Erika came over without any haste,
They hitched in ’59 in true good taste,
They moved to a 4-family flat,
In South City on Gertrude Street, if you can
belive that.

A year later came along Norman,
their lives changed but everything kept humming.

He rode the bus to work but eventually bought a car,
First a Bel-Air & then a Corvair,
He did not like either so he bought a VW Bug,
Boy he sure could cram a lot in it,
Just as snug as a bug in a rug.

They kept saving and bought a new house,
In Florissant, and then came the “Little Mouse”.

Ursula was born in 1965,
Norman had a sister, what a change,
A boy and a girl, so he upped his pace.

Wolfgang worked week-days plus week-ends to keep
everything going,
The money flowed in,
And everything kept humming.

Some say cats have nine lives, but Wolfgang had more,
And that is no metaphor,
A 4-story fall, strokes, two times with cancer,
Wolfgang kept ticking and that is a true answer.

He had seen a lot in his 87 years on this great Earth,
WW2, man on the moon, jet aircraft and color TV,
But he’d tell you the best,
is family, friends, the Schützen, and that is no jest.

So let it be said Wolfgang was the best,
Husband, Father, and Opa
As we now lay him to rest.

Thank you for all you have done,
Set your sails,
Take the journey,
As you leave your mortal broken body.

Go now to say hello,
To old friends, your parents, Jesus and the Lord.

We know this is not the end, and right now it sure hurts,
But we will see you again when we also depart
this Great Earth.

Written by Dein Sohn,
Norman Waterwiese

25 Comments

  1. Norman & Terrie Waterwiese on October 20, 2016 at 12:16 pm

    Good bye Dad. You will be sorely missed.



  2. George D. Hayward on October 20, 2016 at 12:40 pm

    Haben Sie eine große Reise, Wolfgang!

    Vielen Dank für all Ihre Hilfe und die vielen lacht!

    Bis wir uns wiedertreffen,
    Georg



  3. Jill (Crouch) Elwell on October 20, 2016 at 12:50 pm

    Dearest Ursula and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Your father was a great man and did a wonderful job raising tremendous children. I am confident that he will continue to look in on you all and his love and memory will live on.
    Sending Hugs!
    Jill



  4. Kathy Duckworth on October 20, 2016 at 12:58 pm

    Terrie and Norm,
    May your fond memories carry you through this difficult time! You are in the my thoughts and prayers!



  5. Ursula Hayward on October 20, 2016 at 1:12 pm

    TchuBe Opa,
    Wir werden uns vedersehen !! I will wait for you to visit when the wind comes again….

    Love ,
    Uschi



  6. Laurie Hayes on October 20, 2016 at 2:58 pm

    So blessed to see this snapshot of a wonderful life! Please accept our warmest condolences at this sad time. With sympathy and love, the Hayes family



  7. George & Teri Hayward on October 20, 2016 at 3:26 pm

    Glad we saw both your Mom and Dad on our last visit.

    You will have many memories to cherish over the years of times spent with your Father. Our condolences to all of you.



  8. Patti Clerc on October 20, 2016 at 5:45 pm

    Dearest Ursula and family–your dad sure had quite a life. Your mom and he had such an adventure. I know he will be missed greatly but I also know he will always be with you –and he is happy now. All of my love and prayers, Patti



  9. Toni McCann on October 20, 2016 at 6:22 pm

    Norm & Terrie,
    I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May your memories be a comfort to you.

    Toni



  10. Danny on October 20, 2016 at 6:22 pm

    ??????????Love you always



  11. Marge Sebek on October 20, 2016 at 7:32 pm

    Dear Erika, and family,
    With a heavy heart, I write this condolence.
    I am glad that I had an opportunity to meet, know you and create many good memories. God Bless…
    Marge



  12. Logan Hayward on October 21, 2016 at 7:18 am

    Rest in peace, Opa. You gave us good stories and good times. We are so happy you were able to meet your great-granddaughter. We will pass on your story to her.



  13. Ed and Mary Ann Ignaczak on October 21, 2016 at 10:42 am

    To all of Wolfgang’s family,

    This website is a beautiful memorial to a man that touched so many lives.

    We wish we knew him better.

    May you all be at peace knowing he is with God and in no pain.

    The Ignaczak Family



  14. Bill and Cathy Bowey and family on October 21, 2016 at 11:22 am

    Dear Hayward and Waterwiese families,

    We are so very sorry for the loss of your father, father-in-law, Opa, and friend. Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers.

    Sincerely,

    The Bowey Family



  15. Andy & Peri Bozdech on October 21, 2016 at 1:32 pm

    We are with your family in thought and in prayer. Bozdech’s



  16. Roxie Tiek on October 21, 2016 at 2:12 pm

    My heart and prayers to you and your family during this difficult time, Ursula. Your dad has gone to a very beautiful place and will be watching over all of you…
    Love,
    Roxie Tiek



  17. Scott and Joanie Frank and family on October 21, 2016 at 5:06 pm

    Dear Ursula, Norm and families,

    So sorry to hear about your loss. May your faith, love and memories give you comfort at this difficult time. You are in our prayers.



  18. Hettich family on October 22, 2016 at 3:18 am

    Dear Tante Erika, dear Uschi, dear Norman,
    We are very sad to hear that Uncle Wolfgang passed away.
    Condolences to all of you. We are thinking of you.
    The Hettich family



  19. Beth and Jim McDonald on October 22, 2016 at 3:26 pm

    Thank you for gracing us with your gift of friendship. We enjoyed our time together. May your family find peace and comfort in the love and memories that you have created and shared amongst each other.



  20. Klaus Weber on October 24, 2016 at 9:46 am

    Auf Wiedersehen Onkel Wolfgang!
    Klaus und Jutta



  21. Jon Luer & Andrea Steinebach on October 24, 2016 at 9:13 pm

    Wir sind froh, Wolfgang gekannt zu haben. Er war ein feiner Mensch.
    Ruhe in Frieden, alter Schützenbruder!



  22. Andy and Marilyn Kuhn on October 25, 2016 at 8:01 pm

    Our love and prayers go to Erika, Ursula and family and Norm and family. He was a gentleman to be admired. We loved visiting with him at our picnics. Your poem to him was a wonderful tribute. God Bless You.



  23. Chris & Sonja Klope on October 25, 2016 at 8:12 pm

    Erika, Norm, Ursula and families,
    Our heartfelt condolences to you on the loss of your husband, father and Opa. What a beautiful, touching video! Sending wishes for peace and comfort during this difficult time.



  24. David Sydow on October 26, 2016 at 5:08 am

    i WANTED TO OFFER MY CONDOLENCES TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ON THE PASSING OF YOUR FATHER. i KNOW THAT HE WILL BE
    GREATLY MISSED BY HIS FAMILY.
    NOVEMBER 2, IS ALL SOULS DAY. PLEASE OFFER A MASS FOR YOUR FATHER ON 11/2 FOR THE REPOSE OF HIS SOUL, IF NEED BE.
    MAY HIS SOUL AND THE SOULS OF THE
    FAITHFULLY DEPARTED, REST IN PEACE.
    AMEN



  25. Janet & Christa Leukert on November 20, 2016 at 8:26 pm

    I am so sorry for your loss; I must have been in hospital when he passed but we feel a deep sadness when he passed! I worked closely with your Dad on the 40th reunuion of the Schuetzen and working that closely, knew how much the club meant to him and the wealth of knowledge he had of its working relations. He will br sorely missed!



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