Carl E. Weinfurter

Carl E. Weinfurter, age 89, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away on Monday, November 17, 2025, one day shy of his 90th birthday, surrounded by his family.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Monday, December 1, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Nekoosa, WI. Father John Swing will officiate the service. American Legion Post #9 will perform military honors. A visitation will be held at the church from 9:00am until the time of service. Burial will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Nekoosa, WI.
Carl was born on November 18, 1935, in Sherry, WI to Rudolph and Dorothy (Melson) Weinfurter. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1953 and then proudly served in the U.S. Navy as a Machinist's Mate Third Class from 1953-1957. In 2016, he was deeply proud to have participated in the Never Forgotten Honor Flight to Washington DC. Carl attended Milwaukee School of Engineering. He started his career with Nekoosa Papers and worked in the instrumentation department. In 1983, Carl transferred to the Leaf River Pulp Mill in Hattiesburg, MS as an electrical/instrumentation supervisor, retiring in 1996.
Carl married Margaret Elsen (Florence) on November 10, 1972, in Marshfield, Wisconsin.
Carl was an active and dedicated member of his community throughout his life. He was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church in Hattiesburg, MS, Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Nekoosa, and Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Wisconsin Rapids, where he worked on many woodworking, and electrical projects for these parishes. Carl was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus and served as the financial secretary for ten years. He was a member of the American Legion Post #9 in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, where he served as a Honor Guard member and participated in many veteran events.
Carl was a talented woodworker, he created countless handmade toys, especially wooden tractors, and was well known for his beautiful carvings. He also handcrafted furniture, repaired clocks, and brought new life to anything mechanical that needed a careful hand. Music was another passion- Carl played accordion, button-accordion, and trumpet; and used his musical talents to help start a family polka band. He continued to share his music at local nursing homes for many years, bringing joy to residents and staff.
Carl enjoyed square dancing, horseshoes, golfing, traveling, and telling a good joke. He volunteered for many community service projects and was always willing to help whenever and wherever he was needed.
Carl is survived by his wife, Margaret; children, Roger (Jennifer) Weinfurter, Bill (Gail) Weinfurter, and Julie (Jaime) Leon; step-children, LuAnn (Ron) Mancl, Sue (Bruce) Gildenzopf, Dave (Diane) Elsen, Mark (Glynis) Elsen, and Mike Elsen; son-in-law, Gary McClure; 21 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; brothers, Larry (Jean) Weinfurter, Dave (Katie) Weinfurter, and Tom (Laurie) Weinfurter; sisters, Lois (Jim) Mancl, Clara (Francis) Elsen, Doris (Carl) Mielke, and Teresa (Dave) Hartjes; sister-in-law, Sandy Weinfurter; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph and Dorothy Weinfurter; brothers, Bob, Arnie, and Howie Weinfurter; sister-in-law, Arlene Weinfurter; stepmother, Marie Weinfurter; stepdaughter, Linda McClure; and daughter-in-law, Tennille Elsen.
The children are all so grateful to Carl for encouraging all of us to learn, try new things, and strive to become the best versions of ourselves.