Obit: Bremer, John Henry #2 (1916 - 2009)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

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

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood County, Wis.) Wednesday, 18 Nov. 2009 
 

Bremer, John Henry (2 Dec. 1916 - 13 Nov. 2009) 
 

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

John's funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at Christ Lutheran Church in Abbotsford, with the Rev. Dr. Paul C. Hunsicker Sr. conducting the service. 
 

Visitation will be held at the church Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services. Burial with military rites will follow in the Abbotsford Public Cemetery. 
 

Johnny was born Dec. 2, 1916, in the town of Mayville, the son of John and Paulina (Schneider) Bremer. He attended Saint Peter Parochial School and graduated from Dorchester High School in 1934. After graduation, he attended vocational school in Milwaukee. In his earlier years, he farmed with his parents and was a member of Saint Peter Lutheran Church in Dorchester. He was united in marriage to Jean Amacher on June 1, 1945, in Medford. During World War II, he served in the 8th Calvary Regiment and later was stationed in Japan with the army of occupation, receiving an honorable discharge in 1946. 
 

He was employed with the Abbotsford Hardware Company 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 later was 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 more than 60 years, serving on various boards 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 who 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) Bremer 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, Anna Neumann and Minnie Fenske; and one brother, Arthur Bremer. 
 

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