Submitted photo This photo of Denis “Denny” Warta of New Ulm was part of his celebration of life at the New Ulm Country Club Saturday. He died peacefully at age 97, Nov. 19, 2025 at Oak Hills Living Center.

NEW ULM — Denis Warta was many things — a musician, businessman, U.S. Navy sailor, writer, member of many government and civic organizations, and a lover of history and philosophy, to mention a few.

Perhaps being what he called a collector of friends made him unique.

A good share of his New Ulm friends attended a celebration of Warta’s life at the New Ulm Country Club Saturday. A number of them said his perpetually positive attitude is what they loved most about him.

Warta died peacefully at age 97 at Oak Hills Living Center.

He lives on in the fond memories of many people who knew him.

Warta helped found many things including the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame and the Hermann Monument Restoration and Perpetual Maintenance Society in New Ulm.

He wrote about Jesus and the Greek philosopher Plato in his basic philosophy of life and living.

“I truly believe Plato’s views were shared by Christ when Jesus proclaimed he was of the new covenant, not the old, which was basically that God or gods are always mean and they always need appeasement in the form of sacrifices,” wrote Warta. “Plato proclaimed that there is one, everlasting supreme being, responsible for all creation and that each human has a soul which will live forever. He wished for all humans to perform good deeds, but never with any expectation of a reward or return.”

Warta wrote that ever since he was a Boy Scout, he truly believed and followed the Boy Scout pledge — do a good deed every day.

“I tried to do this every day and found that it is truly very rewarding, a feel-good part of every day. It is even better when the recipient is not aware of the gift or assistance.”

The celebration featured many songs — The Navy Hymn, How Great Thou Art, Ave Maria, Just a Closer Walk with Three, performed in jazz style by local musicians Gary Schroeder, Steve Moran, Gary Gleisner, Joe Hoffmann, Jessica Landsteiner and Sarah Houle; I Did It My Way, Shenandoah, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony (Ode to Joy), When the Saints Come Marching In, Anchors Aweigh and a number of songs by The Concord Singers including Ein Prosit.

Readings included the Song of St. Francis, Biblical readings included Love the Lord with thy whole heart and love thy neighbor as thyself.

Warta’s works include “What Is This All About?” a 158-page softbound book about a variety of topics including the secret behind a happy retirement, searching for your God, making others happy, advice to live by and his philosophies.

Online condolences for the family can be left at www.mvfh.org.