M. Jean Bruemmer

M. Jean Bruemmer, 83, La Crosse/Onalaska, died on Thursday, January 7, 2016. She was born in La Crosse on March 8, 1932, to D. Russell and Helen (Rawlinson) Wartinbee. She married John W. Bruemmer Jr. on September 22 1951, at Christ Episcopal Church in La Crosse. Jean attended Hogan, Longfellow, and Central High School, where she was a representative to Badger Girls State. In her senior year, she transferred to Logan High School, and graduated in 1949.

Jean and John lived in Bricelyn, Minnesota, and Decorah, Iowa, where John served as the Treasurer of Luther College and assistant football coach. Jean could always be found at Luther functions with her knitting needles in hand, lovingly completing sweaters and Christmas stockings for her siblings, children, and grandchildren. She attended many Decorah school events which involved her children. She also worked for many years at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Decorah. Jean was trained as a librarian, and she enjoyed working at various school and church libraries throughout her life.

Jean and John lived in St. Anthony, Minnesota for over 20 years where Jean enjoyed serving as a secretary in the St. Anthony Public School System and Metro ECSU (Educational Consortium Support Unit). She also volunteered and worked as assistant secretary at Nativity Lutheran Church of St. Anthony. Upon their retirement, Jean and John moved to Onalaska to be closer to family.

Jean is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, John Bruemmer Jr., of Onalaska, and six children: Russell (Nathalie) of Washington D.C., Ruth Ann (Ken) Procter of Decorah, Iowa, Paul (Kim) Bruemmer of Orleans, Massachusetts, Barbara (David) Saiz of Onalaska, David Bruemmer of Onalaska, and Andrew (Emily) Bruemmer of Panora, Iowa. She cherished her time with her grandchildren, each special to her in their own way: Alexandra, Caroline, Carlyle, and John Bruemmer, Tatiana von Taaffe, Elizabeth (Eric) Reisinger, Jennifer Kephart, Erick (Chelsey) Kephart, Teresa Procter, Emily and Thomas Bruemmer, Joey and Drew Saiz, MacKinley and Julianna Bruemmer, and Rebecca Jean Bruemmer. She adored her great­grandchildren: William and Annie Reisinger and Adilynn and Fitzgerald Kephart. Jean loved her siblings and in­laws: John (Jack) of Elmhurst, Illinois, Ann (James) Reeve of Muskego, Wisconsin, and Lois (Gary) Stuhr of Onalaska, Tom (Judy Cobb) Bruemmer of La Crosse and Mary Ann Wartinbee of Brookfield, Wisconsin, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings: Robert Wartinbee, James Wartinbee Sr., Ellen Wartinbee, and in­laws John Sr. & Edna Bruemmer, and Margery and Cecilia Wartinbee.

Jean was a wonderful, loving Wife, Mom, Grandma, and Sister, and will be missed by all. We will treasure our memories of her.

Services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Charles & Sill Streets, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on Monday, January 11 at 11:00 a.m. A visitation will be held beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the church. Pastor Erik Feig will officiate. Burial will be held in Oak Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church, Christ Episcopal Church, La Crosse Public Library, or the D. Russell Wartinbee Scholarship Fund at UW­La Crosse. The Schumacher-Kish Funeral & Cremation Services of La Crosse are in charge of arrangements.

The family would like to extend their deep appreciation to the entire Eagle Crest staff, both north and south locations, for the love, care, and devotion shown to Jean these past few years. Online guestbook is available at www.schumacher-kish.com.