Werner Arnold van Treeck, age 93, of Anderson Township, survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Wilma van Treeck, passed away on November 15th, 2023. He was a loving father of Ludwig G. (Ellen) van Treeck, Monika (Paul) Dadosky, and Rodney (Jean) van Treeck. Grandfather or referred to lovingly by his grandchildren as “Opa” of Matthew van Treeck, Joshua (Kristine) van Treeck, Benjamin van Treeck, Emily (Michael) Quinto; Kristina Holtzclaw, Daniel (Savannah) Holtzclaw; Noah van Treeck, Lily van Treeck, and Adam van Treeck. Predeceased by grandson Jonathan Holtzclaw. Great-grandfather of nine.
Werner grew up in Hüls, West Germany as the youngest of five children. To begin his working career, he served an apprenticeship as an electrician and traveled Europe working – specializing in installations of neon signage. He enjoyed motorcycling around Europe in his early working years. Werner immigrated to Canada in 1955 and his met his future lifelong wife, Wilma. They married in Canada and shortly thereafter relocated to Cleveland, Ohio where they started their family. After adding their firstborn son, Gery, to the family, they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where a daughter, Monika, and a second son, Rodney, were added to complete the family.
After settling in Cincinnati, Werner and Wilma, along with a group of German immigrant friends co-founded the Germania Society of Cincinnati in 1964. Today’s Oktoberfest Zincinnati, the 2nd largest in the world, had its beginnings rooted in the Oktoberfest planned by the Germania Society held in Cheviot.
Some of Werner’s other life passions included golfing, photography, working on his farm in Bethel, Ohio, and collecting model trains. Werner never approached anything half-heartedly. He immersed himself fully in his outside interests as well as his vocation. With golf, he was able to achieve a hole-in-one and commemorated this occasion with a vanity plate “hold one” on his white Cadillac. Werner was never without at least one camera to document every life celebration with family and friends. Life lessons of working hard and playing hard were instilled into three generations of van Treecks at Werner’s farm. To the delight of his grandchildren, Werner created detailed, intricate electric (HO Scale) train displays complete with trees and small villages.
Werner retired in 1992 after 30 years as an industrial journeyman electrician at the General Motors Norwood Assembly plant. In 1968, he purchased his first sports car, a red Rally Sport Camaro that he affectionately accompanied down the assembly line, telling each assembly line worker – “hey, dat ist my car!” He also owned and operated Anderson Hills Electric for 40+ years. At age 65, he threw himself an Oktoberfest birthday party with Warsteiner beer. “Life’s too short to drink cheap beer”!
Werner will be remembered as a hard-working mentor to his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and the Summit Boys in the neighborhood. He loved to laugh and have a good time, even if it was at himself. He was well loved and loved well!
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the following would be appreciated
Hospice of Cincinnati https://hospiceofcincinnati.org/donate/
Wounded Warrior Project https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/Default.aspx?tsid=11585&ovr_acv_id=18138&campaignSource=ONLINE&source=BS23035CAABREMA&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiApOyqBhDlARIsAGfnyMoxsdRZI4xiFbvrtP3joIUvVpeQ0epcawRDrjmBpnYzLvHX4r4fWe4aAuVjEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
To livestream the Mass please use the following link
http://www.ihom.org"
At the bottom where it says "click here to watch Mass online." The live-stream will start directly at 10:30 and will be available under "Previous broadcasts" for a few days after the Mass.
A reception directly following the Mass will be held in the St Matthew room in the Parish Center (on the 2nd floor) at IHM.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Werner Van Treeck, please visit our flower store.
Werner grew up in Hüls, West Germany as the youngest of five children. To begin his working career, he served an apprenticeship as an electrician and traveled Europe working – specializing in installations of neon signage. He enjoyed motorcycling around Europe in his early working years. Werner immigrated to Canada in 1955 and his met his future lifelong wife, Wilma. They married in Canada and shortly thereafter relocated to Cleveland, Ohio where they started their family. After adding their firstborn son, Gery, to the family, they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where a daughter, Monika, and a second son, Rodney, were added to complete the family.
After settling in Cincinnati, Werner and Wilma, along with a group of German immigrant friends co-founded the Germania Society of Cincinnati in 1964. Today’s Oktoberfest Zincinnati, the 2nd largest in the world, had its beginnings rooted in the Oktoberfest planned by the Germania Society held in Cheviot.
Some of Werner’s other life passions included golfing, photography, working on his farm in Bethel, Ohio, and collecting model trains. Werner never approached anything half-heartedly. He immersed himself fully in his outside interests as well as his vocation. With golf, he was able to achieve a hole-in-one and commemorated this occasion with a vanity plate “hold one” on his white Cadillac. Werner was never without at least one camera to document every life celebration with family and friends. Life lessons of working hard and playing hard were instilled into three generations of van Treecks at Werner’s farm. To the delight of his grandchildren, Werner created detailed, intricate electric (HO Scale) train displays complete with trees and small villages.
Werner retired in 1992 after 30 years as an industrial journeyman electrician at the General Motors Norwood Assembly plant. In 1968, he purchased his first sports car, a red Rally Sport Camaro that he affectionately accompanied down the assembly line, telling each assembly line worker – “hey, dat ist my car!” He also owned and operated Anderson Hills Electric for 40+ years. At age 65, he threw himself an Oktoberfest birthday party with Warsteiner beer. “Life’s too short to drink cheap beer”!
Werner will be remembered as a hard-working mentor to his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and the Summit Boys in the neighborhood. He loved to laugh and have a good time, even if it was at himself. He was well loved and loved well!
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the following would be appreciated
Hospice of Cincinnati https://hospiceofcincinnati.org/donate/
Wounded Warrior Project https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/Default.aspx?tsid=11585&ovr_acv_id=18138&campaignSource=ONLINE&source=BS23035CAABREMA&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiApOyqBhDlARIsAGfnyMoxsdRZI4xiFbvrtP3joIUvVpeQ0epcawRDrjmBpnYzLvHX4r4fWe4aAuVjEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
To livestream the Mass please use the following link
http://www.ihom.org"
At the bottom where it says "click here to watch Mass online." The live-stream will start directly at 10:30 and will be available under "Previous broadcasts" for a few days after the Mass.
A reception directly following the Mass will be held in the St Matthew room in the Parish Center (on the 2nd floor) at IHM.
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Immaculate Heart of Mary Church
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Immaculate Heart of Mary Church
Interment
Gate of Heaven Cemetery
A reception directly following the Mass on Tuesday Nov. 21st will be held in the St Matthew room in the Parish Center (on the 2nd floor) at IHM.
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