John W. Bruemmer

Tuesday, July 9, 2019 3:43 pm

John W. Bruemmer, 87, La Crosse, Wis., formerly of Decorah, died Saturday, July 6, 2019. Services are at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1010 Sill Street, in La Crosse, Wis., Monday, July 15, at 11 a.m. A visitation begins at 10 a.m. at the church. Pastor Roger Grow will officiate. Burial will be held in Oak Grove Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to Luther College, Trinity Lutheran Church or Causeway Caregivers of La Crosse. The Schumacher-Kish Funeral & Cremation Services of La Crosse are in charge of arrangements. If you are unable to join us for John’s service, please take a moment to sign the online guestbook which is available at schumacher-kish.com.

He was born in La Crosse, Wis. June 16, 1932, to John W. and Edna (Olson) Bruemmer. John attended elementary and high school in La Crosse, graduating in 1949. He married M. Jean Wartinbee Sept. 22, 1951, at Christ Episcopal Church in La Crosse. John graduated from Luther College in 1953, with a major in business administration. He was described as “the best center I ever coached” by Luther football coach Edsel Schweizer. John was a charter member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Decorah. John coached football and worked at Luther College from 1956-1979. In 1983, John was inducted into Luther College’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

John is survived by his six children: Russell (Nathalie) of Washington D.C., Ruth Ann (Ken) Procter of Decorah, Paul (Kim) Bruemmer of Orleans, Mass., Barbara (David) Saiz of Onalaska, David Bruemmer of Onalaska and Andrew (Emily) Bruemmer of Aplington. John also is survived by 17 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and his brother, Thomas (Judy Cobb).