Hilary "Sarge" Allen Waukau

Hilary Allen “Sarge” Waukau was called home by the Creator and his wife Pat early Friday morning, Feb 19, 2021. Sarge was a force of life unlike any other. Those who knew him could find him laughing and singing wherever he went and his passion for life lifted everyone around him. His booming trademark laugh was unparalleled and his passion for music and his teams were boundless. Sarge was a devout follower and practitioner of traditional Native spiritual practices and he shared his knowledge and wisdom with all who sought his advice and counsel. Sarge was also a devoted husband to Pat Waukau and father to H.J. and Eileen Waukau; and he happily moved heaven and earth doing whatever was required to make sure they were happy and cared for. He lived the example he preached and guided others to do likewise. Sarge was truly one of a kind and our world is better because he lived in it. He touched so many lives in such a positive way that it is beyond description how much he meant to us all.

Sarge was born and raised on the Menominee Indian Reservation in Wisconsin to Hilary John “Sparky” Waukau and Edith Marion Waukau, and was the oldest of 13 kids. Life and the world dealt Sarge a tough start growing up on the Menominee reservation during the era of “termination,” and it was further compounded by being born with only one arm. While the Creator didn’t bless Sarge with many material advantages he was blessed with one of the biggest hearts imaginable. His heart provided him with the fire and desire to not just survive, but thrive in the face of adversity. He played and excelled at football at Shawano High School and went on to play at St. Norbert College in Green Bay. While some may have thought having only one arm may have hindered his ability they greatly underestimated the heart and ferocity with which he played, earning the unmitigated respect of teammate and opponent alike. He passed along his passion for sports and competition not just to his brothers and sisters, but also his children, nieces, and nephews.

Sarge moved to Colorado in 1974 where he set out for a new chapter in his life. He was working as a bartender in Estes Park singing away with the jukebox and chatting up the clientele when Pat Schumacher walked in the room for a brief respite during a road trip and their worlds changed forever. It was kismet. Pat knew immediately that “she was going to marry that man,” and Sarge proclaimed “they were better together than were apart.” The spirit of that initial encounter endured over the next five decades as they were always at each other’s side. Their love was enduring and eternal as they were blessed with two children, their son H.J., and their daughter Eileen. Their house was one of love, laughter, games, dance recitals, birthday parties, graduations, and the occasional WrestleMania party.

After marrying Pat, Sarge worked a series of jobs ultimately landing a job as the head of security at Norlin Library at the University of Colorado. It was here that Sarge provided the education and guidance not found in the classroom to untold thousands of students at CU. Sarge made it his personal priority to ensure that students from all walks of life worked together and treated each other with respect. It was common to see students in the Norlin Security office who were from different ethnic, racial, economic, and spiritual backgrounds sharing laughs and working together. Sarge was also active within the CU Indigenous student community sharing his knowledge and wisdom with all who asked, and always when needed.

Sarge loved going to concerts and CU football games and was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish and go hiking in the mountains. He had a passion for life that enchanted everyone who came across his path, be they strangers he met on the street, or the famous musicians he counted as friends and who would surprise his mom by singing happy birthday to her. It was often said of Sarge that you could drop him anywhere in the world with nothing and he would either find someone he knew or charm somebody into helping him out. You could always find him in the front row singing along to every song and dancing with mom at every show. As big a fan as he was of the Buffs and the Packers he saved his most passionate ardor for his children. He traveled far and wide so his children could chase their dreams, never missing a game or a recital, and loved every minute of it. Even after they asked him to resign as their coach early in their careers.

Sarge’s passion for his family and friends was unmatched and he was quick to open his heart and his home to all who asked. He was a father not just to his own children, but to countless others who sought refuge under he and Pat’s roof, treating each one of them as if they were his own. Whether it was words of wisdom, a favor, a meal, money, or sometimes a song he was willing to share whatever he had to help those in need.

He is survived by his children H.J. Waukau (Elizabeth Schrimpf) and Eileen Waukau; his brothers Mark Waukau, Jeff Waukau, and Mitchell Waukau; and his sisters Stephanie Henry, Lenore Waukau, Natalie Waukau, Lori Waukau, Annie Egan-Waukau and Teeta Wilber.

He is preceded in death by his parents Hilary “Sparky” and Edith Waukau, his brother Berard Waukau, and his sisters Kim and Mary Lou.

A gathering for those wishing to pay their respects will be held on Monday, March 1, 2021 at Swedberg Funeral Home, in Shawano, WI from 4-7pm. A private family final service will be held on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at 11:00am.

Those wishing to send flowers may do so, but the family would also suggest that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Native American Rights Funds.

Please feel free to leave a memory or condolence for the family below.