Name: Visitation for Russell H. Knetzger
Start: 2017-10-14T16:00:00.000Z
End: 2017-10-14T18:00:00.000Z
Location: Luther Memorial Chapel

Knetzger, Russell H. Russell Knetzger, of Shorewood, passed away surrounded by his family on October 10, 2017, at age 80. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Barbara (Wagner); his children, Jane (of Needham, MA), John (of Shorewood), Ann Wollmer and her husband, Steven (of Whitefish Bay), Susan Yeates (of New Berlin), and Kenneth (of Shorewood); his grandchildren, Helena and William Kleinschmidt, Greta, Nolan, and Maren Wollmer, and Adam and Matthew Yeates; his brother, Lawrence Knetzger, and his wife, Barbara (of Brookfield); his brother-in-law, Harvey Wagner, and his wife, Lola (of New Berlin); his sister-in-law Sheri Wagner (of Fort Collins, CO); and many nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Harry and Evelyn (Lang) Knetzger. Visitation will take place from 11:00 AM to time of Service at 1:00 PM on Saturday, October 14 at Luther Memorial Chapel, 3833 N. Maryland Ave, Shorewood. Private interment at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, Milwaukee. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Luther Memorial Chapel, the Shorewood SEED Foundation, or Milwaukee PBS.

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Published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel from Oct. 11 to Oct. 12, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Russell Knetzger

Sponsored by Feerick Funeral Home - Shorewood.

12 Entries

LAVELL Cox

September 6, 2020

May he rest in peace Lavell

Lawrence Knetzger

October 5, 2019

Russell was a total community oriented person . He gave liberal amounts of his profession to many communities to small to really create a lasting meaningful municipal plan of development to guide them with responsible development of their land and business's. He also was very active with the Lutheran Church , Missouri Synod in guiding them for their future expansion . He just did things right, all the time. I miss his presence in our community and our family. A really great and generous person.

Clayton and Sue Reaser

October 14, 2017

Dear Barbara and Family,
You are all in our thoughts as you celebrate Russell's life and accomplishments. His life sets a very high bar for all of us to live life to the fullest and to find ways to serve others.
We share our love with each of you, and wish you peace as you replay your happy memories of life with Russell.

Sharon Yeates

October 14, 2017

You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
I have always enjoyed chatting with Russell and will miss those chats when I visit.
I will be there celebrating an early Christmas with Brad and the boys in early December so Barbara I'm hoping we can meet for lunch.
Caring, Loving Hugs,

Peggy Kraase

October 13, 2017

Barb & Family, It was an honor and privilege to work with Russell for many years at Emmaus. He was always the voice of reason and supported me when I needed it most. His faith and commitment were an example for others. Sadly I will not be able to attend the funeral, but your family is in my thoughts and prayers. May the Lord wrap His arms around you at this most difficult time.

October 13, 2017

Sad to hear of Russ' passing. I knew him from my days as a planner in the Milwaukee area. Was always fun to talk to. My sympathies to his family and friends. Pauline Boness

Gloria Matter

October 12, 2017

Dear Barbara and family.
I was sadden to learn of Russell's passing. I send my sincere sympathy to all of you. Through your tears and in your sorrow,
know that God holds you close.

Wayne & Eileen Caufield

October 12, 2017

Dear Larry & Barbara,

How sad we are to learn of the passing of your dear brother, Russell. Our thoughts and prayers are with you both, and all your family.

Jim Gabriel

October 12, 2017

So sorry for the passing of Russell. He was a great man and I knew Ken and Sue his son and daughter.

DONALD PINSKER

October 11, 2017

MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF RUSSELL KNETZGER, WHO I MET IN GRADE SCHOOL, SOME 70 PLUS YEARS AGO, AT BROWN STREET SCHOOL, N 20TH STREET AND W. BROWN ST. HE IS PROBABLY THE OLDEST PERSON , WHO I MET AND WHO HAS PASSED AWAY, FROM THAT PARTICULAR PAST.

ABOUT A YEAR OR MORE AGO, WHILE READING THE JOURNAL SENTINEL ON LINE, AS I HAD MOVED FROM MILWAUKEE IN 1980, THERE WAS A MENTION, AS I RECALL IN THE OPINION COLUMN.

I REACHED OUT AND QUESTIONED, IF THIS RUSSELL KNETZGER, WAS THE SAME RUSSELL KNETZGER , WHO WENT TO BROWN STREET SCHOOL IN THE EARLY 40'S--- AND IT WAS.

HE REMEMBER ME AND I EXCHANGED GRADE SCHOOL CLASS PICTURES THAT I HAD KEPT FROM THAT ERA, SO MANY MANY YEARS AGO.

EITHER HE CALLED ME, OR I CALLED HIM ON THE PHONE AND WE SPOKE ABOUT THE OLD DAYS AND WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO OUR COUNTRY.

SEEMS THAT I WENT FROM A LIBERAL DEMOCRAT TO A CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN AND RUSSELL BECAME EVEN MORE LIBERAL.

AFTER A FEW PHONE CONVERSATIONS, I SAW WE WERE ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE FENCE, AND RATHER THAN GET AGGRAVATED, I CHOSE TO DISCONTINUE THAT NEW / OLD FOUND FRIEND FROM MY VERY VERY PAST.

IN ANY EVENT, WE HAD A CHANCE TO CATCH UP ON THE PAST AND THE PRESENT, AND I CERTAINLY DIDN'T EXPECT TO SEE HIS NAME IN THE OBITUARY COLUMN THIS MORNING.

AFTER HIGH SCHOOL WHILE WALKING HOME FROM NORTH DIVISION, SOUTH ON N. 12 TH ST. TOWARDS NORTH AVENUE, THERE WAS A SMALL ARENA ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE STREET NEXT TO THE PHARMACY AND BETWEEN 11 TH AND 12 TH STREET.

THE WTMJ-TV, CH. 4 ENGINEERS WERE SETTING UP THE BROADCAST FOR THE WEEKLY WRESTLING MATCHES. I SAID TO MYSELF, WHEN I HAVE TO CHOOSE A CAREER, I WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN BROADCASTING.

I WOULD EVENTUALLY ATTAIN A DEGREE FROM THE MILWAUKEE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, AND BECOME INVOLVED IN ASSISTING IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLACING WMVS-TV, CHANNEL 10 ON THE AIR. I FURTHER WORKED FOR WITI-TV, CHANNEL 6 DURING THE ERA OF BARBRA BECKER, THE SINGING WEATHER LADY AND ALBERT THE ALLEY CAT.

FOR THE NEWS CASTS, MY JOB WAS REAR PROJECTION BEHIND THE DEAN OF MILWAUKEE NEWSMEN, CARL ZIMMERMAN.

WHEN PICKING UP MY NEWS SCRIPT, PRIOR TO EACH NEWS CAST (6 & 10 P.M) I STARTED LISTENING TO THE POLICE RADIO MONITOR AND AFTER 6-7 YEARS, DECIDED TO APPLY FOR A POSITION ON THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

OUT OF 550 PLUS APPLICANTS I CAME IN #33 AND WAS ENJOYING POLICE WORK UNTIL I TOOK MY FAMILY ON A VACATION TO LOS ANGELES DURING THE SUMMER OF 1978. WOW, WARM WEATHER MOST OF THE YEAR.

THOSE OF YOU MAY REMEMBER, THE WINTER OF 1978-79, WAS MOST SEVERE, 22" OF SNOW ON YOUR HOME ROOF, AND THE WET SNOW WAS MUCH TOO HEAVY AND HAD TO SHOVELED.

IN SEPTEMBER 1980 I MOVED TO LOS ANGELES TO RETURN TO MY BROADCASTING CAREER, AFTER AN ABSENCE OF 18 YEARS.

DONALD H. PINSKER, A PROUD FORMER MILWAUKEE POLICE OFFICER INVESTIGATOR, 1962-1980

RETIRED BROADCAST ENGINEER, THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK, WEST COAST HEADQUARTERS, TELEVISION CITY / HOLLYWOOD / LOS ANGELES. JUNE 1982 TO JANUARY 2005.

STILL SINGING THE MUSIC OF SINATRA, TONY BENNETT AND NAT "KING" COLE, ONLY MUSIC IN WHICH THE LYRICS CAN BE CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD.

[email protected]

Toni Uhrich

October 11, 2017

That is a FULL life! It is a loss to the community as well as your family. I wish you all peace. God Bless

Larry Knetzger

October 11, 2017

Russell is my brother and I can truly say that Russell has left this world a far better place than when he come into this world.Because of his efforts with his own business as an Urban Planner that serviced many communities in our State of Wisconsin he helped both large and small communities and was often retained for his services as a professional witness in legal disputes. Russell was also very active in using his profession for the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church. He did it right , all the time. Frequently expressed his valued opinion in the Editorial Page of the Milwaukee Journal.Great Family Man, loved flying Model Airplanes as his hobby and was an active member in his club for many years. We all will miss you Russ, you did things right. I know God has blessed you with eternal life.

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