Racine – John “Jack” W. Brehm, 80, passed away on Thursday, July 19, 2012, surrounded by the love of his family. Jack was born in Racine on August 4, 1931, son of the late Clarence and Florence (nee: Bohn) Brehm.
On May 18, 1957, he was united in marriage at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church to the love of his life, Genevieve “Jean” (nee: Dorf) Brehm.
Jack graduated from St. Catherine’s High School in 1950. He was in the sheet metal trade for 41 years and a member of Sheet Metal Union Local 18 for 60 years. He was previously employed as a shop foreman at Madsen Sheet Metal, then as an estimator at Advance Mechanical Contractors until he retired in 1992. Jack was formerly a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church until it closed and was currently a member of St. Lucy Catholic Church. He enjoyed playing cribbage, cards, and dominoes. Jack was an avid sports fan and especially loved to watch the Packers, the Brewers, and golf tournaments on TV. He loved to fish and participated in Salmon-O-Rama. Jack was instrumental in establishing the fish stocking weirs in the Root River in Lincoln Park. He was a mechanically inclined individual and could fix just about anything. He loved woodworking and was a former member of a local woodcarving club. Jack was also a member of the Sheet Metal Retirees Club for many years. Above all, Jack loved his family. He loved spending time fishing with his children and grandchildren and attending their concerts and sporting events. Jack will be dearly missed by all who loved him.
Jack leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of over 55 years, Jean Brehm of Racine; children, Ann (Jim) Kapellusch of Racine, Edward (Elizabeth) Brehm of Racine, David Brehm of Hawaii, Thomas (Denise) Brehm of Burlington, and Joanie Ogura of Racine; grandchildren, John (Margaret) Kapellusch, Lauren Kapellusch, Evan Brehm, Connor Brehm, Catelyn Brehm, TJ Brehm, Jessica Ogura; one great-grandchild due to arrive in September; brother, Charles (Jeanne) Brehm of Clintonville; sister-in-law, Helen (William) Dombrowski; and other relatives and dear friends. In addition to his parents, Jack is preceded in death by his infant daughter, Susan Brehm; sister and brother-in-law Joyce (Werner) Sander, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Joseph (Joan) Dorf.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Jack on Friday, July 27, 2012, 11am, at St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Avenue, with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. Visitation will be from 9am until the time of the service. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Caledonia. The family has suggested memorials to St. Catherine’s High School, St. Lucy’s School, and the American Heart Association.
The Brehm family would like to extend a heart-felt thank you to the staff at Ridgewood Care Center, the staff of Aurora – St. Luke’s in Milwaukee, and the staff at the CV Institute at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare – All Saints for their kind and compassionate care.
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