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William “Bill” John Wemhoff Obituary – 07/15/08


William “Bill” John Wemhoff, age 90, of Winsted, died Tuesday evening, July 15, 2008, at Birchwood/Connect Care in Hutchinson after gradually failing in health.

He was born Oct. 1, 1917, on the family farm near Humphrey, Neb., the son of Theodore and Mary (Wieser) Wemhoff. William was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church, southeast of Humphrey, Neb. He grew up and attended school at St. Mary of the Angels.

At age 15, William hired out as a farmhand, and followed the harvests in the eastern Dakotas and western Minnesota, which eventually led him to the Winsted area, where he met his future wife, Anna Loebertmann.

William served his country in the US Army during World War II, from March 12, 1942, until he was honorably discharged Nov. 19, 1945. He was awarded one battle ribbon during the invasion on the Aleutian Islands.

On April 3, 1945, William was joined in holy matrimony to Anna Theresia Loebertmann at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Winsted by Father Mointzheim. God blessed their marriage of 62 years with six children. William was a loving and devoted husband and father.

After living in Platte Center, Neb. approximately one year, William and Anna moved to a home near Lake Ida in Wright County, where they lived from 1947 to 1951. William was was employed at Western Condensing for two years.

They then moved to a 40-acre farm south of Winsted and farmed until 1969. While farming, William was employed at Millerbernd Manufacturing, retiring from there after 32 and one-half years. During his retirement, he was employed at Charlie Millerbernd’s for a short time.

Bill and Anna resided the past 40 years southwest of Winsted.

A very active member of the American Legion Post 407 for 63 years, William was chaplain for one year, signed up memberships from 1964 to 1967, and again for one year in 1978, and read the roll call of fallen comrades for each Memorial Day Service from 1973 to 2006. He earned numerous certificates for continuous membership services.

William was a faithful member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Winsted from 1938 to the present.

He was a hard-working man from early youth to his passing. As a hobby, he loved to recycle numerous items. He was able to do some traveling, and one of his highlights was a trip to Hawaii.

William enjoyed riding his tricycle to Winsted to do errands. He liked to read, to work in the garden, and to mow the lawn. He had a lot of interest in steam engines and would attend many steam shows.

He shared stories of his growing-up years with his children, grandchildren, siblings, and anyone who stopped to talk.

William is survived by six loving children: Joan (Larry) Karg of Hutchinson, Elaine (Brian) Schuette of Glencoe, Arthur “Art” (Theresa) Wemhoff Sr., Gerald “Jerry” (Patty) Wemhoff, Gregory “Greg” (Ronda) Wemhoff, all of Winsted, and Douglas “Doug” (Louise) Wemhoff of Duluth; grandchildren: Angela Schuette and Jaclyn Schuette, both of Cottage Grove, Michael Schuette of Glencoe and fiancée Jenny Vasek, Arthur “A.J.” Wemhoff Jr. of Glencoe and special friend Reane, Cory Wemhoff and Deanne Wemhoff, both of Winsted, Jesse (Holly) Wemhoff and Jeremy (Julie) Wemhoff, all of Lester Prairie, Eric Hamel of Princeton, and Sarah Pratt of Pembroke, Ga.; and great-grandchildren Dannielle Wemhoff of Glencoe, Treighton Wemhoff of Winsted, and Dalton Kinneman (Wemhoff) of Lester Prairie.

He is further survived by brothers and sisters-in-law Vincent (Leila) Wemhoff of Moberly, Mo., Gerard (Marcie) Wemhoff of Papillion, Neb., Ray (Lenora) Wemhoff of Humphrey, Neb., Marie Wemhoff of Platte Center, Neb., and Marion Wemhoff of Clarks, Neb.; sisters and brothers-in-law Margaret (Bill) Broadgate of Lincoln, Neb., Faye Krings of Columbus, Neb., and Theresa (Hal) Hensle of El Cajon, Calif.; numerous nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

William was preceded in death by his wife, Anna; a grandson, William “Billy” Wemhoff; his parents, Theodore and Mary (Wieser) Wemhoff; sisters Teckla Wemhoff, Marie Wemhoff, Hildegarde Wemhoff, and Sister Ann Wemhoff; brothers and sisters-in-law Leonard “Len” and Rose Wemhoff, Edwin “Ed” Wemhoff, Clarence Wemhoff, and Steve and Wanetta Wemhoff; a brother-in-law, Felix Krings; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Henry and Theresia (Kieser) Loebertmann; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Anthony “Tony” and Louise Loebertmann.

A Mass of Christian Burial took place Saturday, July 19 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Winsted with Father Eugene Brown as the celebrant. Readers for the Mass were Francis Schommer and Dick Genty. The homily was delivered by Deacon Mike Thoennes. The organist was Alice Nowak. Soloist Theresa Wemhoff sang “Amazing Grace,” and soloist Alice Nowak sang “Ave Maria.” Interment followed with military rites at Holy Trinity Cemetery.

Visitation was Friday, July 18, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Chilson Funeral Home in Winsted with an American Legion Ritual at 7 p.m., and a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. by Father Eugene Brown.

Casket bearers were Jesse Wemhoff, Jeremy Wemhoff, Deanne Wemhoff, Arthur Wemhoff, Jr., Cory Wemhoff, and Michael Schuette.

Honorary casket bearers were William’s grandchildren Angela Schuette, Jaclyn Schuette, Eric Hamel, and Sarah Pratt; and his great-grandchildren Dannielle Wemhoff, Treighton Wemhoff, and Dalton Kinneman (Wemhoff).

The Chilson Funeral Home in Winsted served the family.

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