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Edward Louis Kuemmerlein of Winneconne, Wisconsin died on November 16, 2017, at Bella Vista Assisted Living Residence in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He was just nine days short of celebrating his 101st birthday.
Ed was born on November 25, 1916, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Edward and Sylvia (Lobuck) Kuemmerlein and was baptized on March 4, 1917, at St. Anthony's Church in Milwaukee. He left school after the seventh grade and was an apprentice to a local carpenter. After his service in the Army during World War II, he established his own construction company.
Ed was drafted into the U.S. Army in Milwaukee on August 29, 1942, and honorably discharged in September, 1947. He served as the Supply Sergeant of Company A, 309th Infantry Regiment of the 84th Infantry Division. The 84th Division landed in France in October, 1944 and was involved in several campaigns, especially the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium during December, 1944 and January, 1945. At age 29, Ed was the oldest man in the company. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received during a German artillery barrage in the Hurtgen forest during the spring of 1945. A Bronze Medal was also awarded to him for a daring nighttime resupply mission during his company's battles in the Hurtgen Forest.
Ed married Ann Novak of Neenah in 1947. He was an independent general building contractor in the Milwaukee area until 1970. He built new homes, remodeled older homes, and was an accomplished cabinet maker.
He retired in 1970 and moved to Winneconne where he had built his own home at 160 Twin Harbor Drive. Ed also built much of his own furniture after completing his home.
As a resident of Winneconne, he was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and created several decorative pieces of wooden artwork, which are on display there. As a veteran, he also was a member of Winneconne's American Legion Post 364, as well as VFW Post 1908 in Oshkosh. He frequently served as a member of the Legion's Honor Guard, honoring deceased veterans at their funerals; doing so until he was 89 years old. And he regularly participated in both the Memorial Day ceremonies and the annual Sovereign State Day parade.
He enjoyed boating and his membership in the local Power Boat Squadron. Ed was very proud of having served as the Squadron's Commander for one year, as well passing his Coast Guard certification for navigation. His knowledge of celestial navigation was impressive!
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Bill; his two sisters, Viola Lemberger and Alma Dorschner, both of Oshkosh; and his wife Ann, who died in 1997. After her death, Ed had a decade long friendship with H. Edna Fiebig of Oshkosh. They traveled to the Southwest and Hawaii and he was very welcomed by Edna's family. She passed away in 2007. Ed and his wife Ann had no children.
Ed was a frequent member of the informal "Breakfast Club" at Jackie's Parkside in Winneconne, where he enjoyed the camaraderie. And he often visited the Subway for lunch, where the staff took very good care of him.
After selling his home, Ed lived at the Highlands At River Crossing Apartments for several years. When he could no longer drive safely, he moved into the Bella Vista Assisted Living Residence in Oshkosh for the last few years of his life. His stay at Bella Vista was very good for Ed; he made a number of good acquaintances and was very well cared for by the staff there.
Arrangements are being handled by the Mueller Funeral Home in Winneconne. A funeral service for Ed will be held on Tuesday, November 21, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church 210 Pleasant Dr. Winneconne. Sr. Pam Biehl will conduct the service. Ed will be entombed at Lake View Memorial Park, Oshkosh.
Those who would like to do so are invited to have lunch at Wolf Isle Bar & Grill after the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Affinity Hospice in Ed's name will be appreciated.
If you wish please submit online condolences to muellerfuneralhomeinc.com.