1929
Edmund
2013
Edmund Hannemann
October 3, 1929 — January 4, 2013
Edmund Wayne Hannemann, 83, of Wausau passed away peacefully on Friday, January 4, 2013, while residing at the North Central Health Care Facility, Wausau, WI.
Edmund was born on October 3, 1929, in Wausau, son of Edmund and Erna (Knaack) Hannemann. He attended grade school at Trinity Lutheran School in Wausau and during this time (in 1942) he won the City of Wausau Championship in ring marbles (a very popular sport at that time) and then traveled to Cleveland, Ohio, and competed in the U.S. National Marbles Championships. He returned home with many fond memories of his trip on the train and his stay in Cleveland.
During his early years he also participated in baseball and basketball and skied at the Rib Mountain ski area. He thoroughly enjoyed the time he spent at the family cottage on Lake Somo near Tomahawk; he loved to fly fish on Lake Somo and other nearby lakes. At an early age Edmund had begun taking piano lessons and as a teenager he went on to become one of the most accomplished young pianists in the Central Wisconsin area. He loved to play the classical music of the famous composers and enjoyed playing the organ at local Sunday church services. His favorite venue to showcase his talents was the E. H. Bertermann Memorial Chapel in Rib Mountain. In 1947 he was graduated from Wausau High and then attended the University of Wisconsin as an education major. He was also a member of the Wisconsin Army National Guard during this time.
As Edmund approached his early twenties, a very promising future was cut short as he began to suffer from mental illness and hospitalization at the Winnebago State Hospital was eventually necessary. Following his release from this facility he resided at the Wood County Home in Marshfield for many years. With improved medications and changing attitudes toward mental illness he was able to progress to living in a number of group homes in Marathon County. Several years ago, because of a gradual decline in his physical capabilities, he transferred to the North Central Health Care Facility in Wausau.
While at NCHC Edmund never lost his love for music and although he no longer played the classics, he continued to play the piano and impress others while playing more contemporary tunes and music of the seasons during the holiday periods. He loved to entertain the other residents and employees. He was also an eager participant in many of the activities at NCHC and he loved to go out to eat at nearby restaurants. Some of his favorite destinations were the Highway 51 Truck Stop in Merrill, the Log Cabin in Schofield, and Tony Romas in Rothschild. Another favorite destination was the Ho Chunk Casino in Wittenberg where he found the atmosphere and the slot machines to be quite an attraction.
Survivors include two sisters, Charlotte (Bill) Schreiner, Sheboygan, WI, Ann (Dan) Nass, Phoenix, AZ; and brother, Martin Hannemann, Wausau. Edmund was preceded in death by his parents and a younger brother Byron Hannemann.
Burial will take place at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. A memorial service for family and close friends will take place in Sheboygan at a later date. Online condolences can be made at www.helke.com.
Special appreciation goes to all members of the staff and the care givers of Lakeview Heights at North Central Health Care. The care and support they provided to Edmund (who often presented special challenges) was simply the best and exceeded all expectations. Special thanks also to the Tewes family -- Steve, Paula, and "Butch" -- who provided excellent care for many years at their group home on Bellis Street and also Jackie Stiefel for her efforts as manager of the Plumer House in Wausau.
Edmund was born on October 3, 1929, in Wausau, son of Edmund and Erna (Knaack) Hannemann. He attended grade school at Trinity Lutheran School in Wausau and during this time (in 1942) he won the City of Wausau Championship in ring marbles (a very popular sport at that time) and then traveled to Cleveland, Ohio, and competed in the U.S. National Marbles Championships. He returned home with many fond memories of his trip on the train and his stay in Cleveland.
During his early years he also participated in baseball and basketball and skied at the Rib Mountain ski area. He thoroughly enjoyed the time he spent at the family cottage on Lake Somo near Tomahawk; he loved to fly fish on Lake Somo and other nearby lakes. At an early age Edmund had begun taking piano lessons and as a teenager he went on to become one of the most accomplished young pianists in the Central Wisconsin area. He loved to play the classical music of the famous composers and enjoyed playing the organ at local Sunday church services. His favorite venue to showcase his talents was the E. H. Bertermann Memorial Chapel in Rib Mountain. In 1947 he was graduated from Wausau High and then attended the University of Wisconsin as an education major. He was also a member of the Wisconsin Army National Guard during this time.
As Edmund approached his early twenties, a very promising future was cut short as he began to suffer from mental illness and hospitalization at the Winnebago State Hospital was eventually necessary. Following his release from this facility he resided at the Wood County Home in Marshfield for many years. With improved medications and changing attitudes toward mental illness he was able to progress to living in a number of group homes in Marathon County. Several years ago, because of a gradual decline in his physical capabilities, he transferred to the North Central Health Care Facility in Wausau.
While at NCHC Edmund never lost his love for music and although he no longer played the classics, he continued to play the piano and impress others while playing more contemporary tunes and music of the seasons during the holiday periods. He loved to entertain the other residents and employees. He was also an eager participant in many of the activities at NCHC and he loved to go out to eat at nearby restaurants. Some of his favorite destinations were the Highway 51 Truck Stop in Merrill, the Log Cabin in Schofield, and Tony Romas in Rothschild. Another favorite destination was the Ho Chunk Casino in Wittenberg where he found the atmosphere and the slot machines to be quite an attraction.
Survivors include two sisters, Charlotte (Bill) Schreiner, Sheboygan, WI, Ann (Dan) Nass, Phoenix, AZ; and brother, Martin Hannemann, Wausau. Edmund was preceded in death by his parents and a younger brother Byron Hannemann.
Burial will take place at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. A memorial service for family and close friends will take place in Sheboygan at a later date. Online condolences can be made at www.helke.com.
Special appreciation goes to all members of the staff and the care givers of Lakeview Heights at North Central Health Care. The care and support they provided to Edmund (who often presented special challenges) was simply the best and exceeded all expectations. Special thanks also to the Tewes family -- Steve, Paula, and "Butch" -- who provided excellent care for many years at their group home on Bellis Street and also Jackie Stiefel for her efforts as manager of the Plumer House in Wausau.
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