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 at age 97 at Oak Hills Living Center.

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

Steve Moran on the concertina leads a polka band in performing several musical selections in honor of Denny Warta during his celebration of life Saturday at the New Ulm Country Club. (photo by Clay Schuldt)

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

Warta’s celebration of life was planned in detail by Warta himself. He selected the songs and reading he wished to performed and read during the service. Copies of Warta’s book “What’s Is This all About?” were also available. In the book, Warta discussed his basic philosophy of life and living. The teaching of Greek philosopher Plato and Jesus were important to Warta.

“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.”

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Joey Warta of New Ulm speaks at his grandfather's celebration of life at the New Ulm Country Club Saturday. He commented that his grandfather had a talent for collection friends. To honor Denny, Joey Warta, asked those attended to introduce themselves to a stranger, because it is what his grandfather would do.

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.

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

The Concord Singers closed out Denis Warta's celebration of life. Photo by Clay Schuldt