Willard Bremer

Willard Bremer, 80, of Lake City, died Thursday, August 5, 2010, at the Lake City Medical Center - Mayo Health System. He was born January 10, 1930, to Martha (Ehlers) and Henry Bremer. He was raised on the family farm in Lake Township and attended the Lake City Public Schools and St. John's Parochial School through the 8th grade and graduated from the University of Minnesota - School of Agriculture in 1949. That same year Willard met and married LaDora Boley. They resided on the home farm in Lake Township until 1975 when they moved to Lake City. They operated the dairy farm from 1949 to 1974 when Willard became a partner in Greenline Equipment, the John Deere dealership in Lake City. This was operated until 1989 and Willard then went to work at Hermann Implement in Wanamingo as the accountant and in sales. Willard enjoyed deer hunting and other outdoor activities and was quite involved in tracking and maintaining the family's heritage. The family was very involved in many community activities with Willard serving in many county groups and later in life was very active in Lake City government, serving nine years on the City Council and ten years as mayor, with four months acting as City Administrator. Church activities included years of serving in various positions including church president for many years at St. John's Lutheran Church. Willard had a strong Christian faith, was an active civic leader, devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He will be greatly missed by all.

He is survived by his wife, LaDora; children, Sandra Bremer of Nerstand, James (Donna) Bremer of Duluth, Larry (Patti) Bremer of Lake City, Susan Conant of Byron, Dr. Ronald (Carla) Bremer of Ransom Canyon, Texas, Martha (Paul) Meyer of Wabasha, Thomas Bremer of Lake City, Debra Schmidt of Lake City, and Monica (Jerry) Lehnartz of Kellogg; his grandchildren, Matthew (Kasey) Bremer, Rebecca (Ben) Wolcyn, Jeremy (Holly) Bremer, Johanna (Todd) Weinzierl, Kelly and Jesse Conant, Bradley, Betsy, and Benjamin Bremer, Tabitha and Toni Ritchie, Casey (Chris) Aitken, Jacob Meyer, Taylor and Trista Bremer, Thomas, Samantha, and Sara Schmidt; ten great-grandchildren; brother, Ernest Bremer; sister, Esther (Erwin) Freiheit; stepsister, Florence Gerken and stepbrother, Frank (Marlys) Miller. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Arthur, Eric, and Carl Bremer, and a sister, Eleanor Moechnig.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 10, 2010, at St. John's Lutheran Church with Reverend Daniel Kroll officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Anderson-Peterson Chapel and one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials preferred to St. John's Lutheran Church.