Charles H. Danke, age 86 of Kenosha, passed away on Saturday, April 7, 2018.

He was born in Oshkosh, WI in 1932, and was the son of the late Charles and Anna (Retzlaff) Danke. Charles grew up in Omro, WI and was a 1949 graduate of Omro High School.  He continued his education and received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Oshkosh State Teachers College in June, 1953 and his Master of Arts Degree from Northwestern University in 1960.

After receiving his BA Degree, he was drafted and honorably served in the U.S. Army until June, 1955. He served a year in Korea and was assigned to the 724^th Railroad Transportation Battalion and served as a company clerk before becoming a railroad dispatcher.

On June 13, 1953 in Waukau, WI, he married his high school sweetheart, Eleanore J. Schnell.

Charles spent his entire career in education in Kenosha. In 1955, he began as a science and mathematics teacher at Lincoln Junior High.  In the spring of 1962, he was named assistant principal at Lance Junior High and helped open the new school that September.  He was named Principal of McKinley Junior High in the fall of 1971.  While he held that position, the McKinley Additional Referendum was passed.  The addition was dedicated during the 1974-75 school year.  In 1976, he transferred to Bradford High School as the assistant principal in charge of guidance and scheduling.  In April, 1980, when the principal became incapacitated, Charles assumed many of the duties and extra responsibilities of the principal.  In 1988, he was appointed the district’s Director of Computer Services. After dedicating 36 years to the Kenosha Unified School District, he retired in June, 1991.

In 1981, Charles was honored with the Annual Distinguished Service Award and he received the Unified District’s High School Principal of the Year Award for the 1982-1983 school year. He also served as a volunteer at the Kenosha United Hospital System until recently.

He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church for over 50 years. Charles was a member of the Kenosha County Retired Educators Association.  After retirement, Charles worked with the Association’s newsletter editor to type and layout the newsletter on a computer for the first time. Over 70 issues later, he continued to take on this responsibility.  He was an avid Packers fan and gardener; especially roses.  Charles excelled with growing his beautiful roses and he had over 70 varieties.

Charles is survived by his wife, Eleanore; his two sons, David of Kenosha and Dale (Christy) Danke of Evans, GA; four grandchildren, Teran Danke, Heather (Adrian) Belmonte of Bluffton, SC, Danielle Danke of Orlando, FL and Katherine (Michael) Posada of Evans, GA; three great grandchildren, Everett, Preston and Brooklyn Belmonte; a brother, Sherwyn Danke of Oshkosh, WI; and a sister, Muriel (Robert) Schmunk of Omro, WI.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Marilyn (Martin) Williams.

Service Info

In accordance with Charles’ wishes private funeral services will be held with interment in Sunset Ridge Memorial Park.