Robert A. Promer, Sr.

Age 86, died Friday, February 18, 2005 at the Appleton Medical Center. He was born September 12, 1918 in Kaukauna, to Herman and Mary (DeBruin) Promer, attended Holy Cross School, and lived in Kaukauna his entire life. On May 8, 1941, he married the former Ethel Gussert. Together they raised three sons and two daughters: Donald (Rachel) Promer of Appleton; Dick (Jean) Promer, Bob (Jane) Promer, Mary (Dan) Biesterveld, all of Kaukauna, and Marlene Tennessen and her friend Gene Kostrzak of Readfield. Bob was very proud of his grandchildren: Lisa (Glen) Kolarik, Jeff (Tricia) Promer, Rick Promer, Stacy (Steve) Hlinak, Brian Van Asten, Chad Promer, Ray (Vicki) Van Asten, Scott (Kim) Tennessen, Jim (Liz) Promer, Lynn (Mike) Ramel, Cory Promer, and Shawn (Amy) Promer; Diane (Andy) Huebner, Duane Biesterveld, Dana (Alex) Parker, Andrea Jungwirth, and Jodi (Ken) VanMaastricht; his great-grandchildren: Gavin, Nathan, Gabe, Jennifer, Tyler, Hunter, Cody, Brock, Macy, Natalie, Lexus, Alexander, Katelyn, Elizabeth, Tia, Ty, and Trey were the apples of his eye. He will be sadly missed by them all. In addition to his family he is also survived by two brothers: Art Promer of Bellflower, California and Ray (Vi) Promer of Montague, Michigan; a sister-in-law: Florence Gussert Jansen of Kaukauna, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Mary and Herman Promer, three infant granddaughters Ann, Mary, and Lora Lynn Promer, brothers: Herman Promer, Jr. and Norbert (Alice) Promer; two sisters-in-law Mildred Promer and Roseann Gertz; two brothers-in-law: Jim Jansen and Jim Gertz; Ethel’s parents Ed and Rosella Gussert; and a niece: Laurie Gertz.

Bob served in the United States Navy during World War II at the Great Lakes Naval base in Waukegan, Illinois and then was moved to Treasure Island where he was deployed to Australia. He was recently recognized for fifty-four continuous years as a member of the Kaukauna American Legion Post #41 and was a lifetime member of the Electric City VFW Post #3319. Bob was also a life member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and Holy Cross Catholic Church. Bob spent many days watching the eagles at 1000 Islands Environmental Center and was lifetime member of the Center, as well as being a member of the Kaukauna Moose Lodge. Bob was one of the first drywall contractors in the Valley, and he and Ethel are the owners of the Promer Village Apartments in Kaukauna. He was well known in Kaukauna for his many jokes, keen wit, and his political viewpoints. He loved to make people laugh, enjoyed fishing, and hunting with his sons and grandsons. In his younger years, he was an avid bowlers, and never forgot his buddies who bowled together for over thirty years at Reynebeau’s Lanes in Little Chute.

The funeral liturgy for Bob will be held at 11:30 AM on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 at HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 309 Desnoyer Street in Kaukauna, with Fr. Jack Mullarkey and Fr. Bob Kabat officiating. Military honors will be provided by the members of the Kaukauna American Legion and V.F.W. Posts, and interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM again at the church on Tuesday from 10:30 AM until the hour of the service. The family has established a memorial fund in Bob’s name for Kaukauna’s Grignon Mansion.

The family would like to extend their thanks to Dr. Joseph Graunke who took special care of Bob.

FARGO FUNERAL HOME
400 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Kaukauna, WI 54130
920-766-6200
www.fargofuneralhomes.com