OBITUARY: Winfred (Win) Riemer

Winfred (Win) Riemer, age 93, celebrated eternal life on Oct.23, 2016 at Brillion Westhaven.

Win was born July 28, 1923 in Brillion, son of the late Fred & Elise (Duchow) Riemer. He was baptized on Aug 12th and confirmed in May, 1937. He was a graduate of Brillion High School and the University of Wisconsin – Madison with a degree in Journalism.  Win married Melva Kasper on June 7, 1947.

He entered the military service in Feb. 1943 and served with the 8th Air Force in WWll as a radio operator on a B-17 bomber. He was shot down on his 26th mission over Berlin and became a Prisoner of War from August 1944 until his liberation in May 1945. During that time he was incarcerated in several German POW camps and was a part of the 600- mile “cold march” across northern Germany for 3 months. Win recorded his memoirs in his book My Military History, made available on the internet. He treasured being a part of the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. in 2010.

Win was employed at the Brillion Iron Works for 32 years, retiring in 1983 as an advertising manager in the Farm Equipment Division. In 1964, he helped developed the addition known as Meadowood Lane.

He was an active member of St. Bartholomew Lutheran Church where he served in various offices and committees. He enjoyed decorating and making and painting many banners for the church for over 35 years.

During his lifetime, he served on the school board of education, library board, Brillion Lions Club and several military organizations.

Win could often be found puttering downstairs in his super-stocked workshop. He was known to share a few stories with his buddies over a glass of cognac. The day would not be complete without his raisin bran, bananas, home-made soup, and if he was lucky, Cobblestone chicken legs.

Win and Melva enjoyed traveling and wintering in Florida.  They shared a mutual interest of tending to their home and yard. But most of all they loved keeping up with their grandchildren’s accomplishments and growing families, looking forward to their visits and phone calls.

With Win the glass was never half full or half empty. It was always overflowing. Surviving his POW experience taught him to appreciate even the simplest things in life, often sharing his friendship with a firm handshake, warm hug, or hand-written note.  

Win is survived by his wife of 69 years, Melva, his daughters, Toni Tieman and Nancy (Gary) Kabat, his grandchildren Robby (Cassie) Tieman & their daughters Lilly, Chandler, & Charleigh, Kate Tieman, Aaron(Lindsey) Kabat & their daughters Quinn & Nora, Seth (Amanda) & their daughters Elsa & Lucy. He was preceded in death by his sisters Helen (Frank) Fuhrman, Paula (Norman) Rohrdanz , Hattie & brothers Arno and Elmer, Melva’s  brother Lester & wife Margaret Kasper, son-in-law Bill Tieman.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday, November 12th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (NOON) at St Bartholomew Lutheran Church, Brillion. There will be a memorial service at noon, followed with full military honors. In lieu of flowers please consider memorials to St. Bartholomew Lutheran Church.

A sincere thank you to Rev. Krueger for his many visits, neighbors & friends for their concern & Heartland Hospice and Westhaven for their gentle hands and caring hearts.