Willard W Hemauer
Jan. 26, 1933 - Mar. 29, 2023
Stockbridge, WI
Funeral Service:
Monday, Apr. 3, 2023
12:00 pm
St. Mary of the Seven Dolors Catholic Church
120 Davis St.
Stockbridge, WI 53088
Monday, Apr. 3, 2023
12:00 pm
St. Mary of the Seven Dolors Catholic Church
120 Davis St.
Stockbridge, WI 53088
Funeral Visitation:
Sunday, Apr. 2, 2023
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Wieting Family Funeral Home
411 W. Main St.
Chilton, WI 53014
Sunday, Apr. 2, 2023
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Wieting Family Funeral Home
411 W. Main St.
Chilton, WI 53014
Monday, Apr. 3, 2023
10:45 am - 11:45 am
St. Mary of the Seven Dolors Catholic Church
120 Davis St.
Stockbridge, WI 53088
10:45 am - 11:45 am
St. Mary of the Seven Dolors Catholic Church
120 Davis St.
Stockbridge, WI 53088
Willard W Hemauer
Stockbridge, WI
Stockbridge, WI
On March 29, 2023, Willard W. Hemauer, loving husband and father of seven daughters, passed away peacefully at the age of 90, in his home surrounded by his girls.
Willard was born at home in Stockbridge on January 26, 1933, the fifth child of Joseph and Eva (O’Toole) Hemauer. Also known as “Willy” or “Will” to legions of friends and extended family, he married his grade school sweetheart, the former Mary Holzer, on March 28, 1951, at St. Mary of the Seven Dolors Catholic Church. They were married 66 years before she passed away in 2017.
Willy learned the value of hard work and was a resourceful entrepreneur. His first job was with his brother while traveling with their families in their trailers to Indiana laying terrazzo floors. After moving back to Stockbridge, he was employed at Kimberly Clark Paper Company. Very soon he purchased his own small farm where he and Mary built a new home while also working with another terrazzo company out of town. After an injury that changed the course of his life, he bought a grocery store in Pipe and began Hemauer’s Country Store. In Pipe he was an active member of the volunteer fire department and the family became active members at St. John the Baptist Church in Johnsburg. Willy was an avid softball and volleyball player. He bowled, and golfed at Hickory Hills where he and Mary were members. He closed the grocery store and remodeled the building into apartments that remain to this day. In retirement, Willard and Mary moved to their property in Stockbridge where they built their final home in 2006. It was here that he had learned to unwind after a busy week in the grocery store and frequently said, “Now this is living!’’ The family fondly refers to it now as “Paradise.” He was known for his wit, smile, and genuine friendliness. He aspired to be the happy person he had always admired in his mother. He was an example of his belief in God, kneeling at his bed each night to pray. He listened to Mass and prayed the rosary daily from his computer in his later years. You may rest assured that if he knew you, he prayed for you! He offered his disabilities to his Heavenly Father.
Willard is survived by his seven daughters: Cathy (Dan) Kremzar, Lynne (Bill) Luehrs, Laurie Thurin, Michelle (Tom) Kozloski, Kelly (Jack) Grott, Ann Walsh, and Emily Allen (fiancé, Matt Lierk). He has 21 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; a younger brother and sister: David Hemauer and Mary Criter; a sister-in-law: Jean Holzer; and brother-in-law: Harvey Holzer. He is further survived by countless nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Willard was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; grandson: David Kremzar; son-in-law: Dennis Thurin; parents: Joseph and Eva Hemauer; siblings: Art Hemauer, Margaret Daun, Charles Hemauer, and Earl Hemauer; and eleven brothers and sisters-in-law.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at 12:00 pm on Monday, April 3, 2023, at St. Mary of the Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Stockbridge, with Fr. Michael Betley officiating. Friends may call from 2:00 pm until 6:00 pm on Sunday, April 2, 2023, at the Wieting Family Funeral Home in Chilton, and from 10:45 am until 11:45 am at the church on the day of service. A vigil prayer will be held following Sunday’s visitation. Burial will take place at 2:30 pm on Monday, April 3, 2023, at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Stockbridge.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Angelman Syndrome Foundation (www.angelman.org) or to St. Vincent de Paul.
To watch a livestream of the service, to watch a recording of the service, to see a memorial video in honor of Willard, or to view flowers given to the family, please click HERE
To watch a video celebrating Willard & Mary's 60th wedding anniversary may do so by clicking HERE.
Willard was born at home in Stockbridge on January 26, 1933, the fifth child of Joseph and Eva (O’Toole) Hemauer. Also known as “Willy” or “Will” to legions of friends and extended family, he married his grade school sweetheart, the former Mary Holzer, on March 28, 1951, at St. Mary of the Seven Dolors Catholic Church. They were married 66 years before she passed away in 2017.
Willy learned the value of hard work and was a resourceful entrepreneur. His first job was with his brother while traveling with their families in their trailers to Indiana laying terrazzo floors. After moving back to Stockbridge, he was employed at Kimberly Clark Paper Company. Very soon he purchased his own small farm where he and Mary built a new home while also working with another terrazzo company out of town. After an injury that changed the course of his life, he bought a grocery store in Pipe and began Hemauer’s Country Store. In Pipe he was an active member of the volunteer fire department and the family became active members at St. John the Baptist Church in Johnsburg. Willy was an avid softball and volleyball player. He bowled, and golfed at Hickory Hills where he and Mary were members. He closed the grocery store and remodeled the building into apartments that remain to this day. In retirement, Willard and Mary moved to their property in Stockbridge where they built their final home in 2006. It was here that he had learned to unwind after a busy week in the grocery store and frequently said, “Now this is living!’’ The family fondly refers to it now as “Paradise.” He was known for his wit, smile, and genuine friendliness. He aspired to be the happy person he had always admired in his mother. He was an example of his belief in God, kneeling at his bed each night to pray. He listened to Mass and prayed the rosary daily from his computer in his later years. You may rest assured that if he knew you, he prayed for you! He offered his disabilities to his Heavenly Father.
Willard is survived by his seven daughters: Cathy (Dan) Kremzar, Lynne (Bill) Luehrs, Laurie Thurin, Michelle (Tom) Kozloski, Kelly (Jack) Grott, Ann Walsh, and Emily Allen (fiancé, Matt Lierk). He has 21 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; a younger brother and sister: David Hemauer and Mary Criter; a sister-in-law: Jean Holzer; and brother-in-law: Harvey Holzer. He is further survived by countless nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Willard was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; grandson: David Kremzar; son-in-law: Dennis Thurin; parents: Joseph and Eva Hemauer; siblings: Art Hemauer, Margaret Daun, Charles Hemauer, and Earl Hemauer; and eleven brothers and sisters-in-law.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at 12:00 pm on Monday, April 3, 2023, at St. Mary of the Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Stockbridge, with Fr. Michael Betley officiating. Friends may call from 2:00 pm until 6:00 pm on Sunday, April 2, 2023, at the Wieting Family Funeral Home in Chilton, and from 10:45 am until 11:45 am at the church on the day of service. A vigil prayer will be held following Sunday’s visitation. Burial will take place at 2:30 pm on Monday, April 3, 2023, at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Stockbridge.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Angelman Syndrome Foundation (www.angelman.org) or to St. Vincent de Paul.
To watch a livestream of the service, to watch a recording of the service, to see a memorial video in honor of Willard, or to view flowers given to the family, please click HERE
To watch a video celebrating Willard & Mary's 60th wedding anniversary may do so by clicking HERE.
Being one of the younger cousins, we went to a lot of weddings when I was growing up. I was in 6th grade and we were headed to another wedding. I was wearing a pair of earrings my grandma gave me. I was excited to see my cousins and dance all night long. I found myself at the table where grandpa was sitting. He told me I looked very nice and I told him grandma gave me the earrings I was wearing. He reached out and touched one and said “oh yeah? Wow!†Just then, a polka song came on. He asked me to dance. I didn’t know how to polka but he told me he would teach me. We danced the whole song and I have never forgotten how to polka. There’s a picture of us dancing from that wedding somewhere. Aside from my dad, grandpa was the first boy to ask me to dance! Love you, grandpa
Meghan Grott (Granddaughter ) - Apr. 5, 2023
Some of my earliest memories were of Grandpa working in the store. He would lift me up so I could see the night crawlers and minnows that they sold for bait. I also remember riding with him and my sister, Meghan, in his old yellow snowmobile. He drove us around until we were frozen solid!
Elaina (Granddaughter) - Apr. 5, 2023
Sorry for your loss Ann. Hopefully all those Saturday's I showed up after wresting manure were ok with him :-). It was the only way I could see a young girls smile. God's blessings to you and all your sisters.
Marty Brey (Friend) - Apr. 3, 2023
My deepest sympathies to all of the families. I knew your father from the golf course. We had many good laughs with him, he was always so happy and fun to be around. I'm glad you included your mother in a lot of the photos. She was always a dear friend with whom I have many fond golf memories. I think of her often when I am golfing at HHCC. I always tell people that I hope I can golf as well as Mary when I am older. Take care of one another. What a wonderful family Mary & Willie enjoyed through the years.
Gladys Michels (friend) - Apr. 2, 2023
In my teenage years I remember helping to lay terrazzo floors at the Kloten Oasis tavern and at the Redwood tavern outside of New Holstein with Uncle Willie. He would encourage us workers to clean up the “putchz.â€
Also, while visiting he and Aunt Mary and staying with Lu at the house trailer he gave me a few rides on his golf art. He made sure I was safe by holding my arm. I felt the love of my dad’s special brother Willie!
Anthony Hemauer (nephew ) - Apr. 2, 2023
Willie always had a smile on his face and was great for pranking and or being pranked himself. I worked for Hemauers cutting grass on saturdays which was challenging with the deep ditch. Always made me smile thinking back and remembering Willies kindness.
Steve Endries (Friend) - Mar. 31, 2023
With fond memories, I am remembering Will at our lunch table- always with a pleasant smile and sharing his grocery store days with us. He was so proud of his family and we marveled at his patience with stories of 1 bathroom and 7 girls.
Sandra Stephany (Meal Site Manager Calumet County) - Mar. 31, 2023
I am so sorry. Willie was such a genuine, loving husband, & dad. Always had a warm welcoming smile. He will truly be missed.
Suzanne(Endries)Muellenbach (Old Neighbor from Pipe) - Mar. 31, 2023
I am so sorry to hear of your fathers passing. Gosh what fond memories of have of stooping in at the grocery store. My parents were friends of your parents and I always thought your parents were so sweet and kind to me and had such warm eyes and beautiful smiles. Us girls would beg to stop anytime we drove by — which was all of the time. Lol. Sending hugs to all of you!!!
Lynn (Parsons) Kavajecz (Daughter of Don & Eunice Parsons) - Mar. 30, 2023
Meghan Grott (Granddaughter ) - Apr. 5, 2023
Some of my earliest memories were of Grandpa working in the store. He would lift me up so I could see the night crawlers and minnows that they sold for bait. I also remember riding with him and my sister, Meghan, in his old yellow snowmobile. He drove us around until we were frozen solid!
Elaina (Granddaughter) - Apr. 5, 2023
Sorry for your loss Ann. Hopefully all those Saturday's I showed up after wresting manure were ok with him :-). It was the only way I could see a young girls smile. God's blessings to you and all your sisters.
Marty Brey (Friend) - Apr. 3, 2023
My deepest sympathies to all of the families. I knew your father from the golf course. We had many good laughs with him, he was always so happy and fun to be around. I'm glad you included your mother in a lot of the photos. She was always a dear friend with whom I have many fond golf memories. I think of her often when I am golfing at HHCC. I always tell people that I hope I can golf as well as Mary when I am older. Take care of one another. What a wonderful family Mary & Willie enjoyed through the years.
Gladys Michels (friend) - Apr. 2, 2023
In my teenage years I remember helping to lay terrazzo floors at the Kloten Oasis tavern and at the Redwood tavern outside of New Holstein with Uncle Willie. He would encourage us workers to clean up the “putchz.â€
Also, while visiting he and Aunt Mary and staying with Lu at the house trailer he gave me a few rides on his golf art. He made sure I was safe by holding my arm. I felt the love of my dad’s special brother Willie!
Anthony Hemauer (nephew ) - Apr. 2, 2023
Willie always had a smile on his face and was great for pranking and or being pranked himself. I worked for Hemauers cutting grass on saturdays which was challenging with the deep ditch. Always made me smile thinking back and remembering Willies kindness.
Steve Endries (Friend) - Mar. 31, 2023
With fond memories, I am remembering Will at our lunch table- always with a pleasant smile and sharing his grocery store days with us. He was so proud of his family and we marveled at his patience with stories of 1 bathroom and 7 girls.
Sandra Stephany (Meal Site Manager Calumet County) - Mar. 31, 2023
I am so sorry. Willie was such a genuine, loving husband, & dad. Always had a warm welcoming smile. He will truly be missed.
Suzanne(Endries)Muellenbach (Old Neighbor from Pipe) - Mar. 31, 2023
I am so sorry to hear of your fathers passing. Gosh what fond memories of have of stooping in at the grocery store. My parents were friends of your parents and I always thought your parents were so sweet and kind to me and had such warm eyes and beautiful smiles. Us girls would beg to stop anytime we drove by — which was all of the time. Lol. Sending hugs to all of you!!!
Lynn (Parsons) Kavajecz (Daughter of Don & Eunice Parsons) - Mar. 30, 2023
