Obit draft

Nathaniel Nehrbass
Project 2, Obits
Sept. 26th

Elmer George Nehrbass an avid Vikings fan and connoisseur of all things brandy, died Friday Sept. 15th, due to natural causes. Known affectionately to his family and friends as “Butch”, he spent his final months in declining health at Marywood Convalescent Center. He was 86.

Elmer was born to his parents, John and Elsie (Degner), on February 12th, 1920 in the small town of Athens, WI. On June 26th, 1946, he married Lucinda Westfall and at the time of his passing the two were enjoying their 60th year of marriage.

During his youth, Elmer attended the local elementary school but discontinued his education after the eighth grade. At the age of eight Elmer spent his time working in an icehouse in which he would cut ice off of a lake and store it for customers to later pick up and place in their iceboxes. During his youth Elmer would also spend time working in his grandfathers cheese factory. In his twenties he worked as a logger cutting trees for the town of Athens and its surrounding counties.

After their marriage Elmer and Lucinda purchased a house in the Athens countryside and took up farming. Elmer dabbled in the sales of chickens and pigs but it was the selling of dairy cows in which he garnered the most profit. His days on the farm would not last however as decreasing prices forced him to find work elsewhere.

In 1965 he became employed by the Marathon County Highway Service and finished out his career there until his retirement in 1985. During his retirement he worked various side jobs for his son-in-law’s construction company.

From the years of 1944 to 1946 Elmer served in the United States Army infantry during World War Two. During his time of service Elmer would come to gain a keener understanding of not only himself but of others as well. It was during his time in service that he learned to leave behind the racist stereotypes in which he was brought up in.

After working vigorously throughout his life to support his family, Elmer made sure to enjoy his retirement by venturing to NASCAR races in Michigan and going to Disney World with his family on multiple occasions. Every Sunday during football season Elmer could be found in his favorite chair cheering for the Minnesota Vikings, as if he were right there on the 50-yard-line. Elmer also loved his brandy and it was rare to see his hands devoid of his favorite drink.

He is survived by his wife Lucinda of Wausau, two daughters Janet (Rod) Werner and Debra Drewek both of Wausau; one son Jerome “Bud” Nehrbass of Weston; four grandchildren Matthew, Stacey and Ryan Werner and Nathaniel Nehrbass; three great grandchildren Drake, Natasha and Megan Werner; two brothers Ellwood and Lester Nehrbass of Milwaukee and one sister Laura Bolka of Milwaukee. Elmer is preceded in death by three sisters Hilda Diedrich, Erna Diedrich and Elmira Barnes

Funeral services will start at 11:30 a.m. Monday Sept. 18th with visitation from 10:00 to 11:30. Services will be held at Restlawn Memorial Mausoleum Chapel. The entombment will then follow at Restlawn Memorial Park Garden of Eternal Rest.