GEORGE W. DANNER
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GEORGE W. DANNER |
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From the Waukesha Freeman. February 18, 2004.
Aug 13 1919 - Feb 17, 2004
George W. Danner, 84, of Waukesha, died Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2004, at
LindenGrove Health Care
Center. He was born Aug. 13, 1919, in Elgin, Illinois, the son of George L. and
Luelle (nee Knott) Danner.
George was a graduate of Elgin High School in 1937 and earned an engineering degree from Purdue University. George was an industrial engineer for the Milwaukee Gas Light Company from 1941 to 1945, and at the same time was a production engineer for Kolmar Laboratories, a cosmetic manufacturer in Milwaukee making camouflage makeup for the soldiers during World War II.
In 1949 George and Joseph Zimmermann incorporated Electronic Secretary Industries, to manufacture and sell the first automatic telephone answering machine. In 1957 this company became a subsidiary of General Telephone and Electronics Inc. In 1963 Electronic Secretary Industries, Inc. merged with Automatic Electric, with George becoming vice president of A.E. and general manager of the Waukesha branch.
In 1979 George retired from Automatic Electric. In 1980 George, along with his wife Hazel, son, Dean, and Dean's wife, Boni, formed Electronic Tele-Communications Inc. in Waukesha. George remained chairman of the board of ETC until his death.
George served on the fire and police commission of Waukesha, was past president of the Noon Rotary Club and helped form the Sunrise Rotary Club. He served on the board of Merrill Hills Country Club, was chairman of the building committee when St. Mary's Church was built. He was a member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church.
On Aug 25, 1939, George married Hazel Damisch, who lovingly survives him, along with their children, George M. (Nancy) Danner of Baraboo, Cynthia K (Ernie) Carlson of Petaluma, California, David L. (Pamela) Danner of McLean, Virginia, Dean W. (Boni) Danner of Waukesha and Lynne (David) Erbs of Edgerton. He is further survived by his 27 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; his sister, Betty (George) Kawa of Elgin, Illinois; his brother, Robert (Nancy) Danner of Escanaba, Michigan; other relatives and many friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother; Leo.
Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Monday, Feb 23, at Randle-Dable Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Ave., Waukesha. A vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Prayers continue at the funeral home at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, Feb 24, followed by the procession to St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 2400 W. Highway 59, Waukesha, for the funeral Mass at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Don Zerkel officiating. Graveside services will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery.
Memorials in George's name are appreciated to Waukesha Memorial Hospital Foundation, 721 American Ave., Waukesha, WI 53188.
For further information, please call the Randle-Dable Funeral Home at 547-4035, or visit us online at www.randledablefuneralhome.com.