Leon E. Riemer, 90, of Gillett, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 24, 2015, following a long illness.
Leon was born in the Township of Green Valley on Jan. 31, 1925, to the late Emil and Bertha (Lemke) Riemer.
Leon attended schools in Pulcifer and Cecil before graduating from Shawano High School in 1943. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise in the South Pacific during World War II. After the war, he received Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Law degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Leon and Lois (Jewell) were united in marriage on Nov. 27, 1954, at United Methodist Church in Gillett.
Leon was an attorney in private practice in Gillett for many years. He also owned a Christmas tree farm, and founded and managed Rolling Hills Mobile Home Park in Gillett, along with his nephew, Allen Hansen. At one time he was appointed to be Oconto County district attorney by Gov. Patrick Lucey and served terms as municipal judge and council member in the city of Gillett. Prior to retirement, he was Oconto County Family Court Commissioner, where he also handled small claims and traffic court.
He and his wife, Lois, were honored at the Oconto County Rural Urban Banquet in 2006. He was a longtime member of the Lions Club and Oconto County Bar Association.
In his free time, he enjoyed downhill and cross-country skiing, motorcycling, boating on Green Bay, working on his Christmas tree farm, caring for his horse Horse and dog Dog, driving around the countryside reminiscing, and solving the world’s problems with the breakfast crowd at OJ’s Midtown Restaurant and the lunch crowd at Country Roads Diner.
Leon is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lois, of Gillett; one son, Gregg (Patty Lucas) Riemer, of Madison; one daughter, Sarah (Robert White) Riemer, of West Salem; two grandchildren, Joshua Sagmo, of La Crosse, and Jennifer (Cody) Newman, of La Crosse; and one great-grandson, Sage Sagmo. He is further survived by nieces, nephews and many friends.
He was preceded in death by four brothers and four sisters, Otto, Esther Wenstadt, Adolph, Jeanetta Riesner/Nowinski, Mabel Teagle, Beatrice Lemke/Druckrey, Walter and Edward.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, June 13, from 1-3 p.m. at Tabor United Methodist Church, 120 W. Main St., Gillett.
The family would like to thank the Woodlands of Gillett Nursing Home for the compassionate care they provided over the past four years and Unity Hospice for the additional care provided in Leon’s final days.
Kuehl Funeral Home of Gillett is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online condolences may be expressed at kuehlfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorials be made to Wisconsin Public Radio, the Gillett Area Historical Society, Green Bay Botanical Garden or another charity of your choice.
