Obit: Pilgrim, Violet M. (1924 - 2015)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Bornowski, Custer, DiStefano, Dorn, Giacamo, Krebsbach, Lambrecht, Meyer, Pilgrim, Wagner

----Source: The Record - Review (Abbotsford, WI) 7/01/2015

Pilgrim, Violet M. (Bornowski) Bohman Leitermann (6 JUN 1924 - 28 JUN 2015)


Violet M. Pilgrim, 91, of Stratford died peacefully on June 28, 2015, at Wells Nature View in Marshfield under the care of Ministry Home Hospice.

She was born in Stratford on June 6, 1924, to Adolph and Gertrude (Custer) Bornowski. She attended Fairchild School in the town of Frankfort where she received an eighth grade diploma.

She worked on her parents’ farm until she was hired at the Weinbrenner Shoe Factory. Later, she worked at Roddis Lumber. She married Tony Bohman on June 4, 1947. They resided with his parents until the Knotty Pine Bar was constructed, which they owned and operated for 13 years until they purchased a farm in rural Stratford. They operated the farm for two years until Tony died in a car accident on Oct. 31, 1960.

Violet was employed as a cook with the Stratford School District for several years. She married Erv Leitermann on Aug. 17, 1963, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, town of Wien. In 1967, she pushed panels through a glue press while working at Weyerhauser Company Wood Products. Erv and Violet purchased Stratford Liquor Store, along with her son, Dan, that they operated from 1973-1991. Violet worked as a cashier and cook until the store was later renamed Village Spirits and Sundaes. She retired when the business was sold. She married Clarence Pilgrim on Sept. 1, 1991, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, town of Wien. They enjoyed a happy marriage right up until Clarence’s death on July 18, 2012.

She was a member of the CWF Homemakers Club and the American Legion Auxiliary. She served in the St. John Ladies Aid for many years and sewed over 800 quilt tops for world relief organizations. She was an avid bowler in her younger years, loved to build birdhouses and numerous crafts, and enjoyed animals, especially cats and dogs. She will forever be remembered for her sense of humor, creativity, resilience and quick wit.

Violet is survived by one daughter, Jane (John) Wagner of Marshfield; daughter-in-law, Patti Bohman of Wausau; four stepdaughters, June (Randy) Krebsbach of Stratford, Shirley (John) Dorn of Grand Prairie, Texas, Caroline (Richard) Meyer of Germantown and Gladys (Dean) Giacamo of Mosinee; and two much-loved sisters-in-law, Doris Bornowski and LaVerne Bornowski. She is further survived by one granddaughter, Wendy (Ted) DiStefano; 12 step-grandchildren; two great-grandsons; and eight great-step-grandchildren, all of whom she loved deeply.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Anton “Tony” Bohman, Erv Leitermann and Clarence Pilgrim; her son, Daniel Bohman; one grandson, Christopher Wagner; and two brothers, Leonard and Arnold Bornowski.

A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2015, at St. John’s “High Steeple” Lutheran Church in Edgar with Pastor Jeffrey A. Lambrecht presiding. Burial was in the church cemetery with nephews serving as pallbearers. Visitation was at Sauter/Rembs Funeral Home in Stratford on Thursday, July 2, from 4-7 p.m.

The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers from Ministry Hospice and Wells Nature View for their nurturing and loving care of Violet.

Memorials may be designated in Violet’s name to St. John’s Lutheran Church Ladies Aid or to Ministry Hospice.

Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com.