Walter W. Voegeli

Walter W. Voegeli, 84 of Watertown, passed away on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at Watertown Regional Medical Center.

Walter Wilhelm Voegeli was born April 8, 1939, the youngest son of Emil & Julieanna Anna (Lohrberg) Voegeli.  He graduated from Watertown High School and faithfully served his country in the United States Army. One of his duties in the army was jumping out of perfectly good airplanes. One time in Germany, he missed his landing and broke his leg. This unfortunate event was a blessing in disguise because his future wife started writing to him while he was healing in the German hospital.

Walt married his one and only sweetie; Shirley Ann (Seefeldt) on August 26th, 1967. Together they had 3 wonderful children. His favorite oldest daughter Carmen Rae, his favorite son Patrick, and his favorite youngest daughter Julie. Walt and Shirley celebrated their 56th anniversary this year. He was a loving husband and father. He was a grandfather to three grandsons and two granddaughters. He came from a very large family of brothers and sisters. He was the fun uncle to many nieces and nephews. He was known at family gatherings as the master of delivering zingers. Above all else, family and friends meant the most to Walt and he will be deeply missed by those he leaves behind.

Walt and Shirley lived in the Watertown area all of their lives. Walt worked at many local factories over the years, mostly as a maintenance man. Some of the places he worked for were Heavy Duty, Lindbergs, Stainless Tank and Entertainment, and Spuncast.  After Spuncast, Walt worked for many years at Brownberry Ovens in Oconomowoc. He loved working there but finally retired after many years of service.

Walt enjoyed being outside fishing, bike riding, canoeing/kayaking and disc golfing. He was the second half of team Adorable at the local disc golf course. He was often seen flinging plastic and picking up cans left lying around the disc golf course. He really enjoyed volunteering his time and resources to help students at the STEM academy at the middle/high school.  When younger, he was an avid mechanic and bowled. Wherever Walt went he brought joy, smiles, and laughter. Walt never met a stranger and had fun with those around him wherever he went. Walt had an unusual sense of humor and a way to be a presence that people appreciated and loved.

Walt was not just another pretty face. He was very creative and always tinkering with things. He would find new uses for common household items. It was common to find him tinkering with electronic items and repurposing them in goofy inventive ways. He always had a creative solution to problems around the house and was often rewarded with an eye roll from his wife or other family members. He appreciated and enjoyed all the doctors, nurses, and medical staff that took care of him.

Memorials in Walt's name can be given to Tunnels to Towers and would be greatly appreciated by the family.

Walt is survived by: his wife Shirley; children Carmen Rae (Joseph) Heiden, Patrick Voegeli, and Julie (Eric) Zeigler; grandchildren Nicholas Heiden, Brett Heiden (Amanda Zietlow - fiancee), Jesse Deming and Jenna Zeigler; brother Paul (Jean) Voegeli; and sister-in-law Alice Weaver.

Walt is preceded in death by: his parents; granddaughter Nadia; siblings Raymond Voegeli, Alice Larson, Mary Hollihan, Lydia Fleming, Erika Schmidt, Rose Kottwitz, Hildegard Will, Doretta Voegeli, Elmer Voegeli, and Betty Blank.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:30 AM on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at the Pederson-Nowatka Funeral Home of Watertown with Chaplain Ward Genz presiding. Visitation will be held from 9:30 AM until the time of service at the Funeral Home. Walt will be laid to rest at the Lutheran Cemetery following the service.