Andrew Paul Derwinski

Entered Heaven surrounded by family and friends on Sunday, November 21, 2021 at age 25. Preceded in death by his sister Maddie and grandpa Paul. Loving husband and best friend of Natalie (nee Kober) Derwinski. Loving son of Andy and Kris Derwinski and Lisa Katzke. Caring brother of Christianne, Maddie, Luke and Val. Favorite grandson of Super Joan, Bruce and Suzi Larson, Gerry and Bob Kutsenda. Proud son-in-law of Pam and John Buss and Jim and Cindy Kober. Andrew will be missed by many family members and dear friends.

In March of 2020, Andrew was diagnosed with melanoma cancer. The following year and a half included a lot of ups and downs with many kinds of treatments, therapies, and incredible medical teams in the UW Hospital system. Andrew and his now wife, Natalie, were planning a May 2022 wedding but thanks to the UW Hospital and many other people, they were able to marry on November 18th.

In 2014, Andrew graduated from New Berlin West High School in New Berlin, Wisconsin. He was a member of the golf team and worked many weekday and weekend shifts at Outback Steakhouse.

Andrew is a 2018 graduate of UW-Whitewater where he earned a BA in communications and minored in HR. He was also a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity where he served in the leadership roles of Vice President, Risk Management, and Chaplain. The best part of his time at Whitewater was that he met his wife, Natalie. Friends introduced them in the fall of 2015 and they’ve been together ever since. Through college, first big kid jobs, moving to Madison, buying a house, and adopting cats, they grew together as a couple and created a beautiful love story. Andrew FINALLY asked Natalie the most important question at Devil’s Lake State Park in October 2020.

During undergrad, Andrew worked as an intern with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. After graduation, he accepted a permanent position with the agency.

Andrew was a lover of the great outdoors. You could always find him hiking, biking, camping, canoeing, fishing, swimming, grilling, skiing, making a fire, and just enjoying being outside. If he wasn’t doing something outdoors, then he was planning it or telling you about his latest adventure. Andrew and Natalie traveled together to the Caribbean on a cruise, several national parks, and ski resorts across the country. In addition, they spent a great deal of time in the north woods of Wisconsin with their families. Andrew could also be found posting videos of his ski trips, detailing packing lists for his camping adventures, and even buying and selling outdoor equipment.

To know Andrew is to know that he is incredibly generous and selfless – he was always concerned with how others were doing even when he had a lot going on in his life. He was such a joy to be around and knew how to make others laugh, smile, and feel welcome. Andrew was always one to lend a helping hand. He also valued family and friends and could be found traveling all over to see them or on the phone with loved ones far away. Simply put, Andrew was the best and he will be incredibly missed.

Throughout college, Andrew helped raise money for childhood cancer through the St. Baldrick’s foundation. He was the first to volunteer to have his head shaved for the cause and would be cheered on by family and friends. Click on this link to learn more about his experience: St. Baldricks Day – YouTube .
To make a donation, click on this link: St. Baldrick’s Foundation | Childhood Cancer Research Charity (stbaldricks.org)

Andrew’s family would like to thank the medical staff at UW Hospital and Agrace Hospice for their tremendous care. They would also like to thank all of their extended family, friends, and coworkers for their support .

Visitation at Krause Funeral Home, 12401 West National Avenue, New Berlin, Wisconsin, on Saturday, November 27th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, with a Service at 11:30 AM. Entombment at Prairie Home Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Baldrick’s Foundation in support of pediatric cancer.