Erwin Miles Stenzel, local artist and entrepreneur, died at Shawano Medical Center on June 29, 2015, at the age of 92.
Erwin was born in Milwaukee on May 29, 1923, to the late Erwin and Norma (Berndt) Stenzel. He graduated from Solomon Juneau High School in 1942. Erwin served honorably in the U.S. Navy from Feb. 27, 1943, to March 24, 1946. He married Marie Elizabeth McKillop on Oct. 25, 1947. Erwin was a policeman in the city of West Allis at the time of his marriage.
In 1957, Erwin bought Lakeview Resort on Shawano Lake. In 1960, he bought the Hearn Farm and developed the land and made a trailer park. In 1966, Erwin bought the Dinner Bell Café and changed the name to Fawn Café. Erwin and Marie operated the restaurant until 1972. In 1976, Erwin bought Sister Bay Cottages in Sister Bay.
In 1986, Erwin retired, and he and Marie spent their retirement traveling extensively, including a trip to Europe. He was active in the community as a member of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Masonic Lodge 170, Democratic Party, AARP and Shawano Lions Club.
Erwin is survived by three children, Tom Stenzel and his wife, Harriet, of Kennesaw, Georgia; Jim Stenzel and his wife, Karen, of Red River; and Cindy Zeman and her husband, Dale, of Denmark. He is further survived by seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Marie, in October 2011; his parents; one sister, Muriel; and one brother, Donald.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 2, 2015, at St. James Lutheran Church in Shawano with the Rev. Ted Andrada officiating. Burial will be in Friendship Cemetery in the town of Belle Plaine. Military honors will be conducted by American Legion Post 117. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday from 11:30 a.m. until the time of the service.
Swedberg Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
www.swedbergfuneralhome.com
