Owen Schoenebeck

1928 - 2012

Owen Schoenebeck, 83, Marinette, formerly of Green Bay, died peacefully, Monday, Feb. 20, 2012. He was born Nov. 17, 1928, in Suring, to Walter and Lulu (Hall) Schoenebeck. Owen graduated from Suring High School in the Class of 1946. . On July 15, 1950 Owen was united in marriage to LaVerne Suring, together they had three sons, Kim, Jay and Tye. She preceded him in death on Sept. 1, 1978.

Owen inherited his mother's gift of music, and at the age of 12, began his lifetime professional career as an entertainer singing and playing piano. Upon graduation from high school, he moved to Green Bay first playing in the duo Dick and Owen. When his brother Gene returned from the military they began the well-known and popular duo of "Gene and Owen". When Gene retired from the duo, Owen continued his entertainment career as a soloist, and also played with various other ensembles in the Green Bay area. Owen became well known as an expert in the "Old Standard", "Dixieland", "Rag Time", and "Irish" music genres. He was an avid outdoorsman, hunter and fisherman, belonging to many sportsman's clubs throughout the area, most notably the Klondike Sportsman's Club.

Owen is survived by Fern Simon, his significant other of 31 years. Although they never married, she was certainly a wife to Owen and a mother to his youngest son Tye.

Owen is also survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Kim and Laurie Schoenebeck, Mountain; Jay and Darcey Schoenebeck, New Prague, Minn.; Tye and Rebecca Schoenebeck, Marinette; five grandchildren, Ryan, Brenna, Evan, Nathan and Eryn Schoenebeck; a sister, Edna Vonck, Spruce, Wis.; eight sisters-in-law, Doris Jansen , Mavis Suring, Mae Adams, Erna Czysz, Donna Tetzlaff, Iris Erickson, Karen Wendt, Donna (Eugene)Schoenebeck; three brothers-in-law, Arlie Tetzlaff, Dave Erickson, and Jerry Wendt; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, LaVerne; four brothers, Fred, Carl, Bob and Gene Schoenebeck; six brothers-in-law, Wally Christianson, Norbert Vonck, Ray Czysz, Lawrence Jansen, Rodean Suring, and Gordon Suring; two sisters-in-law, Loretta (Bob)Schoenebeck and Charlotte (Eugene)Schoenebeck.

Friends may call at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave., from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday. The Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Kevin Wendt, Owen's nephew, officiating. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com. A memorial fund has been established in his name.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the doctors, nurses, and staff of Bay Area Medical Center for their outstanding care of Owen and his family.