Timothy Weakland Warden

MADISON – Timothy W. “Tim” Warden, age 70, of Madison, passed away on Thursday, June 18, 2020, at St. Mary's Hospital. He was born on Jan. 7, 1950, in Delavan, Wis., the son of Del and Grace (Okray) Warden. Tim’s first 10 years of life took place in Owatonna, Minn., after which he completed middle and high school in Wausau, WI. During this time one of his most formative activities was Civil Air Patrol, the antics from which time were only learned by his family years later, when an old CAP buddy visited and regaled his wife and kids with hilarious tales of those years. Aside from CAP, Tim and his six siblings (three brothers, three sisters) kept the city of Wausau on its toes and each other endlessly entertained. Tim moved to Madison, Wis., to begin studies at the UW in Electrical Engineering, of which he completed a year and a half before transferring to Wisconsin School of Electronics where he studied for a year. Throughout the rest of his life, Tim continued his education constantly, whether by endless reading, or hours of youtube how-to’s, or through seeking out others for invigorating and insightful conversation. He eventually returned to finish his Assoc. degree in Electronics at MATC. After leaving WSE, Tim went into business with brother Phil as the Madison branch of Warden and Sons painting, a skillset they had learned from their father in Wausau. Together they established a shining reputation in Madison for the company that would follow Tim personally as well throughout his adult life. Faith was the cornerstone of Tim’s life, and hinged on a critical event in his young-adulthood when he attended a David Wilkerson Crusade (author of “The Cross and the Switchblade”) and went forward to give his life to Jesus Christ, a commitment from which he never wavered. He joined the St. Paul’s Charismatic Prayer Group in Madison, where he grew in his Catholic faith and aided others in coming to know Jesus Christ. Before long he was named one of the group’s leaders and served in that capacity for several years. It was there that he met Ramona Weakland whom he later married. He married Ramona Weakland Warden on October 4, 1980 at St. Paul’s University Catholic Center in Madison. Timothy worked as a Contractor, however he returned to his first love of Electronics to complete an Associate Degree in Electronics at MATC in 1987 and worked in that field owning his own electronics repair shop for a few years. However he returned to Warden and Sons and then went on his own as the owner of Solv-It, basically doing everything from basic handyman tasks to complete home remodels. His final masterpieces were working with his brother Tom and son-in-law Isaac to do the vinyl walls of the new Indigo Hotel in downtown Madison, and the complete and stunning remodel of his own home. He really never retired! Another of his favorite sayings was “God knows what He’s doing. He gets it right the FIRST time!” As a master craftsman himself, this had special meaning. The Warden household was an open home to many--Tim was a Dad to young people from everywhere. These led to lifelong friendships, and even travel. He and his family traveled to Tokyo to visit with one of their students and his family. He often spoke of his excursion to Japan. Because of these English-second-language students who lived in the Warden home, Tim continues to have friends across the world. With Ramona he began an Amway/Network 21 business in 1998 which allowed them an exciting life of travel, personal and professional development, and unbelievably great mentoring by some of the world’s finest leaders in business, not to mention the fantastic friends for a lifetime. Along with Ramona and their children he enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Breckinridge CO, Anaheim, and Dallas. Tim lived his deep faith in many ways; he kept a weekly Adoration time at Holy Redeemer Perpetual Adoration Chapel from 2005 until his illness prevented him from going. He was a founding member of Knights of Divine Mercy. He liked to say, “God’s Mercy is infinite, and we should ask for it once in a while!” He loved the Knights’ nights and particularly loved connecting in Catholic fellowship with other devoted men, encouraging them and being encouraged in faith. His devotion to the Divine Mercy led him to volunteer as a chaperone for World Youth Day in Krakow in 2016. In addition to the faith perspective, being of Polish descent and getting to visit the area of his ancestry, it was the trip of a lifetime. He dragged his wife Ramona with him, kicking and screaming, but it turned out to be one of her most treasured events with him. Tim also had an astonishing array of hobbies and interests that he readily shared with those around him. Growing up, Tim loved to fish (an interest he shared with his mother during later years) and spend time in the outdoors. At the time of their meeting, Ramona found Tim to be an avid motorcyclist (they enjoyed a motorcycle roadtrip along Lake Superior into Canada where they hunted for amethysts at an abandoned mine,) and actively engaged in the building and flying of model sailplanes. Speaking to his degree, Tim could take apart any computer down to the circuit wires and build it back up again only better; but he also enjoyed playing racing video games with his children, allowing them to sit on his lap and only smiling when they fumbled all the controls. Tim loved music and always sought to create the best acoustic environment in his home, arranging high-end speakers just right so that the tunes of Elton John, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Enya, Jimmy Cliff, or Mannheim Steamroller (at Christmas time!) could fill the room with music for spontaneous evening dance parties. He was an avid golfer, like most of the Wardens, and greatly loved to join his siblings for tee-times whenever possible. He played in as many places as he could, getting in his last game on the lovely greens of Hawai’i’s Big Island in 2019. Since 2015 Tim and Ramona had been working toward the goal of moving to the Florida panhandle to enjoy the sun and the beautiful beaches. Tim was an infinitely curious person and a "problem solver." Tim always asked, "can it be done, who's going to do it, and when?” The answer was usually that Tim was going to do it, because while many often answered the first question with uncertainty, he usually answered “yes,”--and then he’d learn how if he didn’t know already. He would go to UW Swap, the first one in the door to grab the items he’d identified online in advance. You never knew what he might be after, and he loved to bring these items home to repair and sell all over the world. Everything from medical equipment to astronomical devices, to specialized audio pieces and professional class photography equipment. Anyone who met Tim for more than five minutes will tell you that he had one of the best senses of humor in the world. From puns, to dad-jokes, to pranks, to comedic stories, Tim could and usually did have everyone around him bursting at the seams with laughter and consequently joy. There is no doubt that he epitomized the idiom: “to know him is to love him,” but with Tim it was even more than that; to be known by Tim was to be loved by him. You could not escape acquaintance with Tim Warden without the genuine feeling and knowledge that you had encountered love, and some of it had stuck to you. His wife and children never hesitate to attest to the love Tim enveloped them in constantly. While often a reserved man in words, he put truth to the idea that actions speak louder, and never missed an opportunity to show his love. His wife Ramona had to be careful even hinting at something she might need or want, as he would immediately get up and get it or do it or her. His love was in everything: sharing a distinct love for tinkering with electronics, but also enjoying cookies and jelly beans, with his eldest daughter Suzi; sacrificing late night drives to Milwaukee to pick up his daughter Carey from the airport on her visits home; conceding to let his son Timmy show--and beat him at--every new game; mentoring his son-in-law Isaac in their shared craft and welcoming his step-granddaughters readily into the family; doting on his grandson Joe in every possible way. Tim was, and we’re sure continues to be, devoted to his family before all else. Timothy is survived by his wife, Ramona; two daughters, Susannah (Isaac) Warden, Carolina Warden; son, Timothy Warden; grandson, Joseph Warden; Two Step-granddaughters, Sarah Brown, Mayven Brown. He was preceded in death by his parents. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5313 Flad Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Wednesday. Memorials in Tim’s name may be gifted to his wife, Ramona Warden, to benefit Network of Caring’s Free Wheelchair Mission, Relevant Radio, and for placement with a variety of causes. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care 7435 University Ave. (608) 831-6761