Obituary for Deacon Norbert Brossmer
Deacon Norbert Brossmer, 91, of Mercer, WI, passed away peacefully on March 23, 2021.
He was born June 23, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Herman and Blanche (Blais) Brossmer.
Deacon Norb wore many hats during his lifetime. He attended St Catherine of Genoa grade school and Leo High School in Chicago and continued his education at IIT in Chicago. In 1948, he served an apprenticeship at United Specialties in Chicago to become a Tool and Die Maker but was interrupted to serve from 1951-1953 in the US Army as acting Sargent S-2 with the 45th Infantry Division known as the “Thunderbirds” during the Korean conflict. He was privileged to attend the Korean War memorial dedication in Washington, DC on July 27, 1995 and was honored to be a member of the Loyd S. Woller Memorial Honor Flight XIX on April 27, 2015.
Norb met Kathleen (Kay) in late 1955. They were married in Chicago in August 1956. He was hired in December 1956 as a Methods Analyst with Allis Chalmers in Harvey, Il. He rose through the years in the management ranks of Allis Chalmers and eventually transferred to their lift truck division in Matteson, Illinois in Process Manufacturing Project Management until the plant closed in 1986. He raised his family in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Illinois and was involved in Management Club, Twenty Year Club, and Junior Achievement. He was active as a baseball umpire and the chair of special charities. Norb loved to golf, bowl, spend vacation time in Mercer and be involved in church service work. Norb served on numerous committees at St. Kieran Catholic Church in Chicago Heights and discovered his true passion for service in ministering to the sick and infirm through hospital ministry.
Mercer, Wisconsin was where he and his family loved to vacation. Many summer vacations were spent with family and friends on Echo Lake; fourth of July softball and kick ball games, watching the kids water ski, sailing, taking his grandkids on canoe rides down the Turtle River, hosting ‘Loon Day’ barbeques and being an official at the most memorable ‘Echo Lake Olympics.’ Telling great stories and being with friends and family was one of his greatest joys.
In the early 90’s Norb and Kay attended classes and workshops given by the Diocese of Superior, which initiated an interest in the Diaconate program. He and Kay moved permanently to Mercer in 1998, and Norb was ordained a Deacon for the Diocese of Superior in October, 1999 at St Isaac Jogues Church in Mercer by Bishop Raphael Fliss. He served the people of St Isaac Jogues and Our Lady Queen of Peace in Manitowish Waters in active ministry for 15 years. In addition to his church ministry, for many years he served on the board of Gogebic and Iron county Salvation Army and chaired the Red Kettle Drive at Christmastime. Ministering to the sick, infirm and those in need in his community was his true calling until the day he died.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Kathleen; son, Gerald Brossmer of Steger, Illinois; a daughter, Nadine Davis of Hubertus, Wisconsin; sons-in-law, Robert Baczynski of New Richmond, Wisconsin and Robert Davis of Mercer; four grandchildren; and two great- grandchildren, Allison Baczynski of State College, Pennsylvania; Evan Baczynki of River Falls, Wisconsin; Kendal Davis of Chicago, and Adam (Rebecca) Davis of Preston, Missouri; and their sons, Isaac and Liam. He survived by other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Blanch Brossmer; sisters, Florence (William) Struthers, Mary Ellen (Albert) Lambert, and Doris Brossmer; a brother, Raymond (Iva) Brossmer; and a daughter, Kathleen (Robert Baczynski) Brossmer.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 beginning with visitation at 10:00 AM followed by the Mass at 11:00 AM at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Mercer. It will be concelebrated by the Most Reverend James P. Powers, Bishop of Superior and Fr. Maria Joseph Kodiganti.
Burial will be at Mercer Cemetery later in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St Isaac Jogues Church, Mercer, WI or Our Lady Queen of Peace, Manitowish Waters, WI.
The family has chosen McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home of Ironwood to honor Norbert’s legacy of life. You can leave a condolence or a tribute at mckevitpatrickfuneralhome.com.
He was born June 23, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Herman and Blanche (Blais) Brossmer.
Deacon Norb wore many hats during his lifetime. He attended St Catherine of Genoa grade school and Leo High School in Chicago and continued his education at IIT in Chicago. In 1948, he served an apprenticeship at United Specialties in Chicago to become a Tool and Die Maker but was interrupted to serve from 1951-1953 in the US Army as acting Sargent S-2 with the 45th Infantry Division known as the “Thunderbirds” during the Korean conflict. He was privileged to attend the Korean War memorial dedication in Washington, DC on July 27, 1995 and was honored to be a member of the Loyd S. Woller Memorial Honor Flight XIX on April 27, 2015.
Norb met Kathleen (Kay) in late 1955. They were married in Chicago in August 1956. He was hired in December 1956 as a Methods Analyst with Allis Chalmers in Harvey, Il. He rose through the years in the management ranks of Allis Chalmers and eventually transferred to their lift truck division in Matteson, Illinois in Process Manufacturing Project Management until the plant closed in 1986. He raised his family in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Illinois and was involved in Management Club, Twenty Year Club, and Junior Achievement. He was active as a baseball umpire and the chair of special charities. Norb loved to golf, bowl, spend vacation time in Mercer and be involved in church service work. Norb served on numerous committees at St. Kieran Catholic Church in Chicago Heights and discovered his true passion for service in ministering to the sick and infirm through hospital ministry.
Mercer, Wisconsin was where he and his family loved to vacation. Many summer vacations were spent with family and friends on Echo Lake; fourth of July softball and kick ball games, watching the kids water ski, sailing, taking his grandkids on canoe rides down the Turtle River, hosting ‘Loon Day’ barbeques and being an official at the most memorable ‘Echo Lake Olympics.’ Telling great stories and being with friends and family was one of his greatest joys.
In the early 90’s Norb and Kay attended classes and workshops given by the Diocese of Superior, which initiated an interest in the Diaconate program. He and Kay moved permanently to Mercer in 1998, and Norb was ordained a Deacon for the Diocese of Superior in October, 1999 at St Isaac Jogues Church in Mercer by Bishop Raphael Fliss. He served the people of St Isaac Jogues and Our Lady Queen of Peace in Manitowish Waters in active ministry for 15 years. In addition to his church ministry, for many years he served on the board of Gogebic and Iron county Salvation Army and chaired the Red Kettle Drive at Christmastime. Ministering to the sick, infirm and those in need in his community was his true calling until the day he died.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Kathleen; son, Gerald Brossmer of Steger, Illinois; a daughter, Nadine Davis of Hubertus, Wisconsin; sons-in-law, Robert Baczynski of New Richmond, Wisconsin and Robert Davis of Mercer; four grandchildren; and two great- grandchildren, Allison Baczynski of State College, Pennsylvania; Evan Baczynki of River Falls, Wisconsin; Kendal Davis of Chicago, and Adam (Rebecca) Davis of Preston, Missouri; and their sons, Isaac and Liam. He survived by other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Blanch Brossmer; sisters, Florence (William) Struthers, Mary Ellen (Albert) Lambert, and Doris Brossmer; a brother, Raymond (Iva) Brossmer; and a daughter, Kathleen (Robert Baczynski) Brossmer.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 beginning with visitation at 10:00 AM followed by the Mass at 11:00 AM at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Mercer. It will be concelebrated by the Most Reverend James P. Powers, Bishop of Superior and Fr. Maria Joseph Kodiganti.
Burial will be at Mercer Cemetery later in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St Isaac Jogues Church, Mercer, WI or Our Lady Queen of Peace, Manitowish Waters, WI.
The family has chosen McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home of Ironwood to honor Norbert’s legacy of life. You can leave a condolence or a tribute at mckevitpatrickfuneralhome.com.