Earl L. Emmerich, 95, of Tripoli, formerly of Medford, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022 at Aspirus Medford Hospital.
A Memorial Mass for Earl took place at 11 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022. Burial followed at Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation took place at Holy Rosary Catholic Church on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022 from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m.
Earl was born on March 26, 1927 to Alfred and Maude (Dodge) Emmerich in Medford. During grade school, Earl did farm work for a neighboring farmer. He was also assigned to teach English to neighbors while attending Wayside grade school. He was hired at Hurd Millwork when he was 17 and worked through the winter. He then traveled throughout the western U.S. for three years beginning at age 18 with Ray Selby, Floyd Querin, and Ervin Clarkson. Together they worked seasonal jobs at ranches, sawmills, and with 115ft grain bins. He also worked at a POW camp in Sydney, Neb. Earl worked in Chicago with Mel Blank, Barb Moen, and Louise Kreisher. He returned to Medford and worked at the Pea Cannery, where he met Lea Kellhnofer. They were united in marriage on June 14, 1952; she preceded him in death on June 27, 1993. He later married Joanne Ludwig Brandner on Sept. 24, 1999; she survives.
Earl returned to Hurd Millwork for a number of years. During this time he owned and operated Earl’s Bike Shop, where he sold Schwinn bicycles, fixed many bicycles, and rented tandem bicycles. He purchased Medford Bottling Works in the early 1960s with his brothers, Glen and Roger, where they made and bottled soda, including grape, root beer, cream soda, and lime. He was also a Budweiser distributor at this time. He purchased Rog’s Bar with his brothers in 1962 and eventually owned it himself and renamed it Earl’s Bar until 1993.
Earl was very active in the community. He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church and St. Francis Catholic Church in Tripoli. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, serving as Grand Knight from 1970-1972 and became a 4th degree knight on Oct. 1, 1992. He was involved in the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs and hosted Earl’s Snowmobile Jalopy Ride for 26 years. Earl was a Hurd Millwork Union Steward and a Past president of Taylor County Tavern League. He served as a Taylor County Supervisor on the Airport committee, the Tourism Counsel as a past President (representing Taylor County at Sport Shows in Wisconsin and neighboring states), the Northwest Regional Planning Commission, Rails to Trails Commission, and the Commission on Aging Committee. He volunteered for the Taylor County Historical Society and helped organize the Sesquicentennial Celebration. He received the Life Time Achievement Award in 2003 from the Medford Chamber of Commerce. He was a Sergeant First Class with the Wisconsin National Guard. He belonged to the Black River Rock Dodgers Snowmobile Club, and sponsored many Earl’s Bar men’s and women’s Sports teams.
Earl was also a member of the Emmerich Brothers bowling team. He played the stumpf fiddle with his brother Kenny “Hayseed” on accordion and Roger on drums, or at any time he was inclined. He could always be found on the dance floor, especially for a polka, waltz, and to do the twist.
Earl is survived by his wife, Joanne; children, Sharon (Bruce) Wells of Mt. Vernon, Ill., Starla (Brad) Ruesch of Medford, Danny (Peggy) Emmerich of Wausau, Gayle (Bill) Thums of Medford, Wally (Elaine) Emmerich of Westboro, Rusty (Barb) Emmerich of Medford, DiAnn (Tom) Rindt of Stetsonville, Connie (John) Hemmer of Stetsonville, Randy (Tammy) Emmerich of Iola, Brian Emmerich of Wausau, and Terry (Tammy Erl) Emmerich of Medford; step-children, Greg (Anita) Brandner of Nashwauk, Minn., Pat (Barb-deceased) Brandner of Eau Claire, Randy (Joan) Brandner of Merrill, and Kathy (Steve) Strebig of Medford; 41 grandchildren and 63 great-grandchildren; siblings, Glen (Eileen) Emmerich and Roger (Sue) Emmerich; siblings-in-law (Lea), Virginia Emmerich, Rita Emmerich, Pat Sward, LuAnn Grube, Bonnie Lipprandt, and Shirley Kellnhofer; siblings-in-law (Joanne), Norma Meier, Marlene (Darrel) Hermans, Duane (Connie) Ludwig, Loretta Kranz, Dale (Kay) Ludwig, Sandra (Dave) Bruesewitz, Robert (Nancy) Ludwig, Helen Ludwig, Roberta Ludwig, Mary Jane Ludwig.
Earl is preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Lea; parents-in-law, Charles and Norene Kellnhofer; Joanne parents-in-law, Fred and Margaret Ludwig; great-granddaughter, Charlee Hemmer; great-grandson, Owen Emmerich; bonus grandson Hunter Ried; siblings, Vernon Emmerich, Kenneth Emmerich, Lorraine Clarke; siblings-in-law (Lea), Harvey Clarke, Al Sward, Bill Kellnhofer, Mary Kellnhofer, Eldon Grube, Ted Kellnhofer, Vern Kellnhofer, and Don Kellnhofer, Charlene Kellnhofer: siblings-in-law (Joanne), Alfred Meier, Patrick Kranz, Jerome Ludwig, Dora Ludwig, Merlin Ludwig, Glen Ludwig, Germaine Imler, Robert Imler.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Earl’s name may be given to either Holy Rosary or St. Francis Parishes and Schools. Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. Online condolences can be left at www.hemerfuneralservice.com.