Marlin “Marty” Warden, 74, of Suring, passed away peacefully at home Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.
Marty was born Nov. 23, 1951, to the late Dick and Mary Warden in Sheboygan. He graduated from Sheboygan North High School with the class of 1970. Marty began working for Shawano County as a deputy sheriff in 1974. On June 14, 1975, Marty married Rosemary Behringer. The couple lived in Krakow and started their family.
While serving the sheriff’s department, Marty was critically injured in the line of duty in 1978, which prompted his early retirement in 1984. Those critical injuries ultimately led to his death as his body and brain function deteriorated.
In 1987, Marty and his family moved to White Lake in the Town of Bagley where he spent his formative years and where his heart always felt drawn to be.
He enjoyed bowling, playing cribbage, visiting with friends over cold beers at the tavern and took his duties seriously as the unofficial “mayor” of White Lake. His quick wit and sense of humor made for memorable times. He never passed up an opportunity to entertain people with his rendition of Rindercella and the pransome hince.
Marty also had a love for music. He learned to play piano at a young age and as an adult, often brought smiles to his kids’ faces by playing “Pink Panther,” “The Girl From Ipanema” and “Baby Elephant Walk” on his piano. He was also a skilled baritone singer and harmonized while singing with the radio or with hymns on Sunday morning. Marty was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Breed and served as the church organist for many years.
Marty is survived by his wife, Rosemary; children, Andrea (Brian) Meyer, Carol (Ty Krajewski) Warden, Christina “Biz” (Jack Wroncy) Warden and Daniel “PB” (Amanda Batts) Warden; grandchildren, Maximillian, Alexander, Katarina (Grayson), Jackson, Luke and Teddy; siblings, Cindy (Wayne) VerDuin and David (Kim) Warden; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Darlene Wolf, Bryan (Annette) Behringer, Carmen Behringer and Beverly Behringer. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Richard; mother-in-law, Marylou Kopatz; father-in-law, Roger Behringer; brothers-in-law, Daniel Behringer, Roger Lee Behringer and Brad Wolf.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Breed from 9 a.m. until the funeral service at 11 a.m. with Pastor Steven Stoll, Pastor Paul Scheunemann and Pastor Steve Conradt officiating.
Gruetzmacher Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be expressed at www.gruetzmacherfuneralhome.com.
The family would like to thank the staff of Unity Hospice for the wonderful care and compassion shown to Marty and his family during their time of need.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Breed in Marty’s memory.
