Andy David Warnke

Andy David Warnke, 46, of Vancouver WA, was born to Marcia Rae Lang and Curtis Doran Warnke at 8:33 a.m, on the morning of Wednesday 08/23/1978 at the Vancouver Memorial Hospital. Andy entered into eternal rest in his bedroom on Friday, December 13th, 2024 at 8:23 a.m., covered in cozy blankets and surrounded by the love and comfort of his family at his side.

Andy was baptized at the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Hockinson, WA on October 22nd, 1978. Andy’s baptismal sponsors were his aunt and uncle, Leonard and Emma Warnke and Karl and Becky Matson. Andy graduated from Battle Ground Highschool on June 15th, 1999. He volunteered in previous years at the Acorn Preschool, and Friends of The Carpenter in Vancouver, WA.

Andy was a close companion to his mother in his final years, as she was his caretaker, friend, advocate, and most incredible mother. Andy was a light to everyone; he brought great encouragement and captured the hearts of many with his giant grin, gentle and joyful heart, and his strong and courageous spirit. Andy suffered tremendously in his crippled body as he suffered from cerebal palsy, epilepsy, and the inability to talk or walk. It was the care and sacrifice he received from his parents, caretakers, siblings, and the joy and love that Andy found in life, through His Saviour, and through his family and friends that sustained and fueled him with great determination to live life to the fullest; blessing the world with his huge smile and joyful energy.

Andy is number seven in line of sixteen children (how fitting for his middle name to be David after King David of Israel, and being the seventh child). While limited in his body, he displayed strength and courage in his spirit with all that he endured and how he expressed himself. Andy loved life and his many friends and family who had the privilege of being in his circle to experience life with him. There was not a dull moment with Andy Warnke around. Andy didn't need entertainment to be entertained, the source of entertainment was in him. He loved being surrounded by his family, he would burst into radiating joy when his nieces and nephews were in the room, he loved watching them play and run around. You could see the intensity of joy build up in him, his arm would start moving which would then build into yelling and laughter that would project out of him. His blue eyes would light up and his grin would fill his face and the room when he saw a pretty girl. There was no denying who he adored. Andy loved music, he loved strumming a guitar, and if someone started playing piano, his ears and eyes focused in and his spirit and voice would join along.

Andy was a treasured gem. Andy LOVED his mother (he obviously loved his other family too: dad, siblings, extended family, friends), but his mom was his biggest advocate and made sure that he never missed out on any party or any opportunity to be surrounded by friends and family. Andy lived like a king thanks to his mother who tended to his every need, she worked tirelessly to make sure he was fed a nutritious diet, and was as comfortable as he could be.

Andy loved noises, he loved the noisiness of the home his dad and mom created while he was growing up and he contributed a huge part of the noise and laughter in the home. In Andy's earlier years he loved to crawl. Andy's favourite place in the house was snuggled up against the dryer. When Andy heard the dryer going at night, he would roll out of bed, shimmy his way through the house using his right arm, and position himself right up against the dryer, pressing his ear against it and he would start banging on it and bellowing out his joyous noises. Andy experienced and displayed the whole spectrum of emotions, he would burst into joyous laughter when he thought something was funny, he would get angry and frustrated, he would get sad and later in his life would have moments of tears. Andy was such a blessing, he taught everyone around him so much about the value of life, a value not dependent on ability, status, or material possessions, but a value intrinsic to the value given to us by God who created us, as displayed in the life of Christ.

Andy was shown the love of Christ as displayed by his amazing mother, she served him, she tended to him in his frustration, and in his agony. Always by his side to comfort him while he was experiencing sickness and suffering. Andy made sure his mother knew that he could no longer be here and was being called home. Andy waited for his mother to wake up and recognise that he was not coming back this time and for his family to say their goodbyes. While his mother and siblings were in the room saying goodbye and holding onto him, Andy let out his last breath and is now resting in the amazing love of Christ.

Andy is survived by his mother, Marcia Rae Lang, his father, Curtis Doran Warnke; his eight brothers Darin Warnke, Jeffrey Warnke, Dean Warnke, Benny Warnke, Brent Warnke, Justin Warnke, Jethro Warnke, and Zachary Warnke; his seven sisters Lucy Lang Warnke, Trina Halone, Jody Johnson, Misty Rollison, Bethany Hoeflein, Christa Joslin, Ariana Talbitzer; and numerous nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, and cousins. Andy was a dear friend to the many people he crossed paths with: his housemates and caretakers at the care homes he lived at for many years, and the lives he impacted at the places he volunteered at.

Rest peacefully dear son, brother, uncle, and friend. Till we meet again in our Father’s glorious Kingdom.

Calling Hours will be held at Layne's Funeral Home in Battle Ground, WA on Thursday 12/19/2024 between 1-3 p.m.

Final Resting Place: Finn Hill Cemetery in Hockinson, WA. Service will be held at the burial site on Friday, 12/20/2024 at 1 p.m.

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139: 13-14)

THE BEATITUDES

(Matthew 5:3-10)

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” 

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” 

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”