Deacon Norbert Brossmer

MERCER, Wis. - Deacon Norbert Brossmer, 91, of Mercer, passed away peacefully on March 23, 2021.

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.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Kathleen; son, Gerald Brossmer of Steger, Illinois; a daughter, Nadine Davis of Hubertus; sons-in-law, Robert Baczynski of New Richmond and Robert Davis of Mercer; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, Allison Baczynski of State College, Pennsylvania, Evan Baczynki of River Falls, Kendal Davis of Chicago, and Adam (Rebecca) Davis of Preston, Missouri, and their sons, Isaac and Liam. He also survived by other relatives and friends.

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 U.S. 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, D.C., 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, Illinois. 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 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 barbecues 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 90s, 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 Catholic Church in Mercer by Bishop Raphael Fliss. He served the people of St. Isaac Jogues and Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church 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 counties' chapter of the 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.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, March 30, at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Mercer, beginning with visitation at 10 a.m., followed by Mass at 11 a.m. 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 (weather permitting).

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Mercer, or Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Manitowish Waters.

Range Funeral Home is serving the family.