Brian ‘Boog’ Morren
Brian “Boog” Morren, aged 66, a lifelong resident of Tomahawk, has bought the farm. Kicked the bucket. Bit the dust. Caught the bus. Gone belly up. Assumed room temperature. As of Friday, Feb. 17, 2023, he is bereft of life. The title of “America’s Sweetheart” is now up for grabs.
He was born Aug. 14, 1956, to Lawrence Morren and his wife in Tomahawk, through absolutely no fault of his own. Raised on the streets of Frenchtown, he was surrounded by his extended family who knew what love was and doled it out generously. He learned early on what it meant to work for a living and did so until retiring from the local paper mill in 2020.
Although he lived a less than average life span, Brian did not live an average life. He traveled where he wanted to travel, made friends easily, laughed heartily at every chance, taught himself whatever he wanted to learn, fixed what he wanted to fix, built what he wanted to build, and loved who he wanted to love. An avid reader, he lived honorably, spent wisely, and faced each day fearlessly (other than a crippling fear of rogue elephants).
Known as the Father of the Fall Ride for creating that annual event, he was even more proud of his years with the Tomahawk Fire Department and his service to his community with his brothers in that organization. An avid outdoorsman, he was happiest in a kayak on a misty morning lake or making photographs in the mountains. Exploring the outdoors was his happy place. He was happier still when sharing those moments with his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Daniel “Chopper” Morren, and his grandparents, George and Alice Morren.
Survivors include his incredible wife, Peggy, who shared adventures with him for over forty years, his wonderful daughters, McKenna (Kyle) Hipp, of Appleton, Wis., and Katie (Mike) Van De Weerd, of Tomahawk. He is further survived by four terrific grandsons, Caleb Van De Weerd, Levi Hipp, Eli Van De Weerd, and Cash Hipp, all of whom were his favorite grandson.
He is further survived by four sisters, Laurie (Steve) Morren-Musial, of Fort Collins, Colo., Marilyn ‘Binky’ Morren, of Fort Payne, Ala., Dawn (Brian) Roberts, of Tomahawk, and Anita (Gary) Jagodzinski, of Holmen, Wis., along with a collection of the finest nieces and nephews that a man could ask for.
He was in awe of and grateful for his teams of doctors and nurses at James Beck Cancer Center in Rhinelander, Marshfield Cancer Clinic in Weston, Aspirus Hospital in Tomahawk and the UW Carbone Cancer Center in Madison. Their top-notch care kept him going for over 18 years and he loved and respected each and every one of them.
A Celebration of Life Service for Brian “Boog” Morren was held at Generations Funeral Home in Tomahawk on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at 7 p.m. Visitation was held at Generations on Friday from 5 p.m. until the time of services at 7 p.m.
Brian would ask that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or the Tomahawk Public Library. Please donate blood if you are able to or consider becoming a bone marrow donor. Those gifts can truly save lives.
Generations Funeral Home & Crematory assisted the family. View Brian’s obituary and leave online condolences at www.generationsfuneral.com.
“Wyrd bið ful arædâ€
Fate is inexorable.