Obit: Lewan, Elmer Raymond (1929 - 2018)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Burzynski, Hill, Lewan, Mackey, Olson, Pogodzinski, Talaga, Turenne

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 4/12/2018

Lewan, Elmer “Butch” Raymond (29 APR 1929 - 7 APR 2018)

Elmer “Butch” Raymond Lewan, 88, of Brule, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at Twin Ports Health Services in Superior.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 20 at St. Mary's Polish National Catholic Church in Lublin. Rev. Marion Talaga will officiate and burial will follow in the parish cemetery Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service.

Elmer Raymond Lewan was born on April 29, 1929 in Hamtramck, Mich. to the late Stanley and Frances (Szemraj) Lewan. Butch was raised in Lublin on the family farm and attended area schools in Lublin and Gilman. He moved to Chicago and was employed there for several years before returning to central Wisconsin. He began employment as a road inspector for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

Butch’s true love of the outdoors steered him to be a conservation officer, game warden, with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. He served with great distinction for 27 years. After retirement, he devoted his time as the trail manager for the 62 mile tri-county recreational corridor that ran from Ashland to Superior. His dedication to the corridor for 15 years was superb. In addition to working as a trail manager after his retirement, Butch also worked for Hood Trucking Company and delivered equipment to Canada, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Butch’s fishing and hunting skills were an important part of his life. He enjoyed fishing trips to Canada with family and friends, playing baseball and watching his favorite team on TV, the Braves. His knack of gardening was next to none and he took pride in it. Butch was very talented playing polkas on his concertina which entertained thousands over the years. He was very proud to play polkas with Elmer Scheid, his idol. Butch was a great cook who enjoyed cooking for the various fish camps in the area. He truly loved the outdoors and respected the deer, bear and turkeys that stopped over daily to visit him.

Butch was a devoted member of the Brule River Lions Club, where he received local and national awards, including the prestigious Melvin Jones Award. In addition, Butch earned the excellent service award for his years of service to the tri-county corridor. Butch had a great love for the outdoors, the environment and spending time with his family and friends.

Butch is survived by his two brothers, Ray (Pauline) Lewan and Sylvester "Silver" Lewan, both of Lublin; two nephews, Randy (Pam) Lewan and Tim (Deb) Lewan, both of Thorp; two nieces, Michele (Eugene) Pogodzinski of Thorp and Lisa (Jim) Turenne of Merrill; 12 great-nieces and nephews; four great-great nieces and nephews; cousins; other relatives; and special friends, Tubby (Norma) Olson and family, John Burzynski, Richard (Kathy) Mackey and family and Ed (Kay) Hill and family.

Butch was preceded in death by his parents.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com. 

Thorp Funeral Home of Thorp is assisting the family with arrangements.