Harry William Warnken

Harry William Warnken Jr. was born on October 29,1914, in Davenport, Iowa, to Margaret and Harry Warnken Sr. Harry departed this life on July 5, 2005, at his home in Grain Valley, MO of a sudden heart attack. He was in great physical condition due to his daily exercise and to his "hike� (as he referred to it) of 1.5 to 2 miles every day. Harry was a lifelong member of the American Turners, serving as their National Physical Education Chairman for 10 years. His parents belonged to Central Davenport Turners. Harry became a gymnast at an early age and continued his gymnastics throughout his life. He was also a competitor in basketball, football, and track & field throughout junior and senior high school and into college. Harry attended the Normal College American Gymnastic Union, Indianapolis, IN (now IUPUI) majoring in Physical Education with emphasis in gymnastics. During college, he was the head coach for gymnastics, and assistant coach for basketball. He transferred to the University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, and graduated in 1940, serving as assistant gymnastics coach. Harry received his Master�s Degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. He began, at age 18, instructing classes at Central Turners-Davenport; coached 34 years at American Turners-Detroit; coached at Kansas City Turners for 28 years; finally completing his coaching career at Dave�s Gymnastics Factory in Lee�s Summit, MO, at the age of 84, for an astounding 66 years of teaching the sport of gymnastics! Harry was proud to serve as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army Air Corps from 1941 - 1946. While serving in WWII, Harry was on the "front lines� for over 60 days, before being reassigned. He taught physical education in the public schools in Detroit, MI and in Independence, MO until retirement in 1982. Harry received many distinguished awards during the at5hletic career. One award was the coveted Honor Key Award of the American Turners. Then in 1987, another prestigious award was the induction into the American Turners Hall of Fame for outstanding service as a gymnast, athlete, and instructor. He won medals in every competition he entered, including the last National Turnfest, held in Aurora, IL in 2003, where he received a gold medal at the age of 88. He was an honorary member of the Kansas City Turners, a member of the Kansas City Swiss Society and the Ebenezer United Church of Christ in Levasy, MO. Harry was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, George, and a son, Paul Curtis. Harry is survived by his wife, Fritzie, of the home; a son, R. Bruce & wife Pat of Mt. Clemens, MI; 2 step-daughters, Sandy Zeller & husband Dennis of Grain Valley, MO and Patty Barthold & husband Dave of Lee�s Summit, MO; 7 grandchildren, Daryl Warnken & wife Jennifer of Clinton Township, MI, Randy Warnken of Clinton Township, MI, Cindy Beason & husband Steve of Greenwood, MO, Dan Zeller & wife Heidi of Overland Park, KS, Kyle Anderson of San Antonio, TX, Mitch Zeller of Independence, MO, and Jeff Zeller of Grain Valley, MO; 3 great-grandchildren, Amanda & Adriane Beason and Blake Warnken. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Ebenezer UCC Memorial Fund in Harry�s honor, or to the Endowment Trust Fund of the American Turners. The family thanks you for honoring Harry with your presence. "Auf Wiedersehen, Lieber Harry.� Your reward is great in Heaven.

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