Obit: Bremer, John Henry (1916 - 2009)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt

Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Amacher, Bremer, Dykstra, Fenske, Hunsicker, Neumann, Schneider, Wegman

----Source: The Tribune - Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wisconsin) Wednesday, November 18, 2009, page 16

Bremer, John Henry (December 2, 1916 - November 13, 2009)

John Henry Bremer, 92, of Abbotsford, died November 13, 2009, at Saint Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield.

Johnny was born December 2, 1916, in the town of Mayville, the son of John and Paulina (Schneider) Bremer.

He attended St. Peter's Parochial School and graduated from Dorchester High School in 1934.

After graduation he attended vocational school in Milwaukee. In earlier years he farmed with his parents and was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church.

He was united in marriage to Jean Amacher on June 1, 1945, in Medford. During World War II he served in the 8th Cavalry Regiment and was later stationed in Japan with the army of occupation receiving an honorable discharge in 1946.

He was employed with the Abbotsford Hardware Co. for 36 years. During the first 25 years with the company, he represented the store in the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce during which time he was involved with creating Red Arrow Park, Dairy Days and was later chairman of the queen committee. He was proud to have been involved in the creation of the Abbotsford Christmas Parade, heading up the clown police for several years. He helped construct many floats, but was most proud of his idea to design and create "Puff the Magic Dragon" and called it his pet. He served on the Abbotsford City Council during the time Abbotsford became a city.

After retiring from the store, he served as sexton of the Abbotsford Public Cemetery. During this time he mapped the cemetery, straightened stones and planted the row of trees at the south entrance. He was full of stories about his early life on the farm and of the depression era when people made do with what they had and would create things from very little using common sense. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church for over 60 years, serving on various board and committees and was Sunday School Superintendent for 10 years.

He enjoyed car trips throughout the United States when his family was young, showing them the land he loved. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren and when they were young he would build toys and items for them in grandpa's garage. He was known around town as a person that could do anything with a block of wood, creating and repairing many things. He was artistic and could sketch, paint and letter signs. He enjoyed carpentry, fixing things, playing cards, pruning, gardening and helping people.

John is lovingly survived by Jean, his wife of 64 years; children, Jack (Cindy) of Marshfield and Jill (Cy) Wegman of Villa Hills, Ky.; seven grandchildren, Bob, Holly and Ben Bremer, Carrie Dykstra, Allison, Christie and Alex Wegman; and two great-grandchildren, Charlotte and Cate Dykstra; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Elsie Bremer, Ann Neumann and Minnie Fenske; and one brother, Arthur Bremer.

His funeral service will be held on Friday, Nov. 20, at Christ Lutheran Church in Abbotsford at 11 a.m. with Rev. Dr. Paul Hunsicker Sr. conducting the service. Visitation will be held at the church beginning at 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Burial with military rites will follow at the Abbotsford Public Cemetery.

Memorials may be designated in his name to the Abbotsford Christmas Parade or Camp Luther.