Waldo Lyle Willecke was born on January 31, 1933, in Salem, Oregon, to Henry Arthur Willecke and Edna Margaret (Dierks) Willecke. He grew up in Salem alongside his older brother, Darryl Willecke, and graduated from Salem High School in 1951. He went to Northwestern College in Minneapolis with hopes of becoming a Pastor.

Waldo married Cecilia Freeby, in 1954, and they had a son, Steven, in 1957. Following their divorce later that year, Waldo joined the Navy in 1958. In 1959 he was stationed at the Salem Recruiting Center. This assignment allowed him to assist his parents as his mother, Edna, battled and was then overtaken by cancer in October of 1959.

Later that year, Waldo met Emily Joyce Gannaway, and they married on June 10, 1960. His Navy career took them to various locations, including Whidbey Island, WA; Millington, TN; San Diego, CA; and San Jose, CA. While they were stationed in Tennessee, he completed a Degree at Memphis State University. Also, during this time, Waldo and Emily welcomed two children, Mark, born in 1962, and Karen, born in 1964.

After retiring from the Navy, Waldo joined the First Reformed Church of Oak Harbor, Washington, as an Executive Pastor. The family moved to Denver when Emily was hired by Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church as the Children's Education Director. In Colorado, Waldo worked for Chaparral Industries as a Personnel Manager and provided Human Resource Management to Summit Cleaning Services.

The two of them moved to St. Paul, MN (Roseville), for Emily’s continued Children’s Ministry work at Grace Church in Roseville. While there, Waldo acquired his realtor license with Edina Realty. Eventually, they returned to Denver to be near their kids and their grandsons Jeffery, Christopher, and Timothy (TJ).

Waldo accompanied Emily on mission trips to Guatemala and Brazil. They also financially supported several Christian missionaries and organizations.

Waldo passed away January 4, 2025, and was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Edna Willecke, brother Daryl Willecke, sister-in-law Rose, and his wife Emily. He is survived by children Steven Stampley, Mark Willecke (Pam), Karen Huschka (John), grandchildren Lisa Beeman (Ryan), Briana Gieri, Jeff Willecke (Cheri), Chris Willecke (Kate), and TJ Willecke (Zelana), and eight great grandchildren.

Memorial Keepers (1)

Vonnie Gay Dunlap