Greenfield – Karl E. Hoese, 90, passed away on November 17, 2016 at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in the loving care of the staff there. He was born January 12, 1926 to Emil and Margaret C. (nee Wichert) Hoese in Horicon, WI. Karl graduated from Horicon High School in 1943. He immediately enlisted in the Merchant Marine during WWII and sailed as a messman and food store keeper on two Texaco Tankers along the Atlantic Coast, in the Caribbean and Africa. In 1941, he attended Navy Class A Electrical School. He attended Telephone School and worked at Comserpac, Pearl Harbor in 1945. Karl was discharged in April 1946 from the United States Navy.

Karl attended Coyne Electrical School in Chicago in 1947 and Milwaukee School of Engineering for Electronic Technician class in 1948 and was then hired by RCA as a Television Technician. In 1956, Karl started at General Motors Division 16 testing equipment and prototypes. He worked on the Thor and Titan Missiles, Apollo INS Systems, and 747 Carousel IV Systems in AC Electronics. Karl retired in 1986 as a Supervisor for Electron Beam Welders.

Karl was married to Barbara Hoese and they had five children together prior to their divorce. Karl married Audrey Zimmermann (nee Bodamer) on March 23, 1991. They met at the roller rink doing something they both loved and continued to do together throughout their marriage. Karl enjoyed reading, doing puzzles, gardening, and watching RFD TV. He and Audrey were members of the accordion club to enjoy the polka music and dancing. They were part of the Greenfield Community Center and Polish Fest, Inc. Karl and Audrey also loved traveling with Wind Jammer Barefoot Cruises.

Karl is survived by his wife, Audrey; his children, Gaye Lynn Hoese, JoAnn (Lionel Spartz) Hoese, Steven (Veronica) Hoese, James (Lisa) Hoese, and John Hoese; his grandchildren, Aaron (Amy) Hartong, Sarah Hartong, Anna Slunaker, Rachel (John McCabe) Spartz, Bethany Spartz, Leslie Spartz, Jessica (Kyle) Leabo, Alexander (Alyssa) Hoese, David (Tess) Hoese, Kristen Hoese, and Shane Hoese; and his great-grandchild, Oliver. He is also survived by Audrey's son, Gary Zimmermann; her grandchildren, Sarah (Jonathan) Grubb, Andy (Shannon) Anders, Travis (Christina) Hoffman, and Jennifer Zimmermann; and her great-grandchildren, Alison (Matthew), Austin, Kaitlyn, Owen, Rachel, Bailey, Mathew, Kyle, Landon, and Savannah.

Karl was preceded in death by his parents; his grandson, Mark Hoese; his former wife, Barbara Hoese; his sisters, Margaret E. and Ida; and Audrey's daughter, Sharon Hoffman.

Visitation for Karl's family and friends will be held at Miller-Reesman Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 22, 2016 from 9 am – 11 am. A memorial service officiated by Pastor Larry Williams will begin at 11 am. Burial with full military honors will be at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Horicon, WI at 2 pm.