Ethel Promer

Ethel Promer, age 91, passed away on Friday, October 28, 2016 at the Kimberly Assisted Living.  Ethel was born December 21, 1924 in Wrightstown, daughter of the late Edward and Rosella (Baeten) Gussert.  She attended Holy Cross School and lived in Kaukauna her entire life.  In her early years, Ethel enjoyed playing softball in Kaukauna.  She was pitching at one of those games when she met her future husband, Bob.  On May 8, 1941, she married the love of her life, Robert A. Promer, Sr.  Ethel enjoyed bowling, travel, crafts, and volunteering at local social events.  Many will remember that Ethel was a generous woman who, over the years, cared for many relatives and friends, paid many visits to friends in nursing homes, and sent countless greeting cards to those she loved.  She found the good in everyone and every day was a special day to her.  Ethel never took life for granted.

She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the V.F.W. Auxiliary, was a lifetime member of the Thousand Islands Environmental Center, and was a lifelong and faithful member of Holy Cross Parish.

Ethel and Bob owned Promer Drywall for over forty years – it was here that Ethel earned her nickname of “Chief”.  The couple then built Promer Village Apartments in Kaukauna, and managed them for over thirty years.  Together they raised three sons and two daughters:  Donald (Rachel) Promer of Appleton; Dick (Jean) Promer of Townsend, Bob Promer of Kaukauna, Mary (Dan) Biesterveld of Combined Locks, and Marlene (Gene Kostrzak) Tennessen of Readfield.  Ethel was very proud of her grandchildren:  Lisa (Glen) Kolarik, Chad (Kelly) Promer, Jim (Liz) Promer, Lynn (Mike) Ramel, Rick Promer, Jeff (Tricia) Promer, Cory Promer, Stacy (Steve) Hlinak, Shawn (Amy) Promer, Brian (Sheila) Van Asten, Ray (Vicki) Van Asten, Diane Huebner, Dana Nickson, Duane Biesterveld, Scott (Kim) Tennessen and Jodi (Brian) Carr; twenty four great-grandchildren:  Gavin, Nathan, Jake, Luke, Gabe, Madelyn,   Lincoln,       Abigail, Taylor, Jennifer, Tyler, Hunter, Cody, Brock, Macy, Mia, Natalie, Katelyn, Elizabeth, Lexus, , Alexander, Luciana, Alex, Ty, Tia and Trey.  She will be sadly missed by them all.  Ethel is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Ethel was preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert, three infant granddaughters:  Ann, Mary and Lora Lynn Promer, two sisters:  Roseann (Jim) Gertz and Florence (Jim) Jansen,  and Bob's brothers and sisters-in-law:  Herman Promer, Norbert (Alice) Promer, Art (Millie) Promer, Vi Promer , Ray Promer, and Bob's parents, Herman and Mary (DeBruin) Promer.

Due to the construction at her home church, the Funeral Liturgy will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 2, 2016, at ST. KATHARINE DREXEL PARISH – ST. MARY SITE, 119 W. Seventh St. Kaukauna, with Father Jerry Pastors officiating.  A time of visitation will be held at church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.wichmannfargo.com.  A memorial fund has been established in Ethel's name.
 
Ethel's family would like to thank all the staff at the Kimberly Assisted Living for their kind and compassionate care.  They would also like to thank her Holy Cross family for their spiritual guidance and friendships.

To our dear mom
We will never say goodbye, because you will always be present in our hearts.  We will miss you, but we have God's promise that someday we will be together again.
Love,  Don, Dick, Bob, Mary and Marlene.