Darwin T. ”Curley” Krenke, age 79, of Fremont, passed away on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at home.
He was born on April 7, 1938 in Appleton, the son of the late Theodore and Laura (Zempel) Krenke. Darwin attended grade school at the Bohren school, which was a half mile from his home, and finished his later grade school years at St. John’s Lutheran School in East Bloomfield. He then attended Weyauwega High School, graduating in 1956. On June 24, 1961, Darwin was united in marriage to Donna Romberg at Emmauel Lutheran Church in New London. They shared 56 years together and raised five children on the family farm in rural Fremont, where Darwin was the fourth generation of Krenkes to farm there. Along with farming, he was an insurance agent for 48 years for Homestead Insurance (formerly Winchester Mutual), starting in 1968, when he took over for his father due to health reasons, and retiring in 2016. Darwin was a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, where he was baptized and confirmed, and also served in several church offices over the years. He took pleasure in his old Ford tractors, spending time with his grandchildren, mowing the lawn and getting together with neighbors and in-laws.
Darwin is survived by his wife, Donna; five children: Vicki (Pastor John) Sprain, AZ; Bruce, Waupaca; Brian, Timothy, Kristin (David) Hempel, all of Fremont; nine grandchildren: Heidi, Amy, Daniel (fiancée, Lana), Joshua and Aaron Sprain, Brock Krenke, Jordan, Nathan and Benjamin Hempel, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 8580 37th Ave., Fremont. Pastor Paul Fritz will officiate. Burial will be in East Bloomfield Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday, 4-7 p.m. at the Lewin Funeral Home, and on Friday, at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. A memorial fund has been established for St. John’s church or school and Fox Valley Lutheran.
Darwin’s family would like to thank Faye and Pennie Sue from Affinity Hospice for all of their care during this time.