Willard E. Lynn, 87, of West Bend, died Friday, October 1, 2004 at the Cedar Lake Health Care Center, West Bend.
He was born on April 8, 1917 at the family homestead in Newburg to the late Richard and Laura (nee Schmidt) Lynn. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII in a Repair and Rescue Unit stationed near Guam. On June 10, 1939 he was united in marriage to Marjorie M. Rilling at St. John's Lutheran Church in Newburg.
Willard first worked at Gehl's and served as union president. He owned and operated a gas and service station along with a radiator repair business and then was the service manager at Lochen Ford.
In 1963, Willard and Marge purchased the Republican Hotel in Kewaskum and named it the Glacier Inn. With Willard as the "bar keep" and Marge as "chef" they developed the business into one of the finest dining establishments in the area. Great food, great drinks and welcoming smiles were provided by the "two person team" until their retirement in 1977.
Willard and Marge left their residency in Kewaskum and moved to Long Lake near Dundee. Numerous lake friendships developed and children and grandchildren enjoyed many family get-togethers. After retirement they moved to North Fort Myers, FL where they enjoyed life in the sun and spent summers back in Wisconsin. They returned to live in West Bend in 1999.
Willard was an avid fisherman and hunter, which he continued to participate in as late as 2001. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in West Bend, American Legion Post #384 in Kewaskum, Wisconsin Tavern League, National Rifle Association, Kewaskum Boar Hunters, Kewaskum Sportsman Club, and the Long Lake Lake Patrol. He is survived by his wife, Marge; two daughters, Bonnie (David) Oppermann of West Bend and Cheryl (Otto) Ramthun of Kewaskum; seven grandchildren, Otto "J.R." (Julie) Ramthun, Jr., Ryan Ramthun, Keri (Pat) Wiesner, Greg (Tammy) Oppermann, Brad (Kelly) Oppermann, Kristin (Andrew) Ziegler, and Ross (fiancAC.e Wendy Hicks) Oppermann; eleven great-grandchildren, Taylor, Tanner, and Trevor Ramthun, Lauren and Kayla Wiesner, McKenzie, Alexa, Ava, and A.J. Oppermann, Tom and Will Oppermann; a brother-in-law, Earl Schroeder of Keshena; a sister-in-law, Norma Rilling of Muskego; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Martha Koch, a brother, Lloyd Lynn, a brother in infancy, a sister-in-law, Dorothy Schroeder; and a brother-in-law, Leroy Rilling.
A service to celebrate Willard's life will be held on Tuesday, October 5 at 12:00 Noon at Trinity Lutheran Church, West Bend. Rev. David Schoob will officiate and entombment will follow at Shrine of Rest Mausoleum in Fond du Lac. Visitation will be at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to Trinity Lutheran Church, Heartland Hospice, or the charity of your choice.
To his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he was "Gramps"; To his Lord, he was a true servant.
The family would like to thank the staff of Cedar Lake Health Care Center and Heartland Hospice for the care given to Willard.