Former Jimmy's Grotto Owner Dies at Age 74

Roland “Rocky” Werning, of Norman, OK, formerly of Waukesha, died on Monday, Jan. 14, 2013 at the age of 74 years.

He was born in Waukesha on May 21, 1938 the son of Albert and Joyce (nee Wright) Werning.  Rocky was a 1956 graduate of Waukesha High School. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps.  On Dec. 19, 1977, he married Maria Lattanzio at the Evangelical & Reformed United Church of Christ in Waukesha. Rocky owned and operated Jimmy’s Grotto from 1958 until 1972. He then went on to work as a horse ranch manager and breeder for various horse ranches in Texas and Oklahoma.  Rocky’s greatest love and passion was for his work as a luthier for his violin-making business where he was very well known and respected. 

He will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 35 years, Maria Werning of Norman, OK, his children: Michael (Stacy) Werning of Illinois, Lisa Muehles of California and Kristin and Lucia Werning of Oklahoma and his three grandchildren: Bradley Muehles and Michael and Joseph Werning.  He is further survived by his brother Richard (Bobbie) Werning of the town of Waukesha and his sister Barbara (the late Willis) Foss of the Town of Vernon along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Roger Werning.  

A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, Jan. 21, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 822 N. East Avenue, Waukesha.  Graveside services will immediately follow at Prairie Home Cemetery. Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral, Cremation and Preplanning Services is honored to serve the family.

For further information, please call the Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home at 262-547-4035 or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com for directions, an online obituary or to leave the family an online tribute message.