Earl J. Nahmens Sr.

Earl J. Nahmens Sr.

Earl J. Nahmens Sr.

Earl J. Nahmens Sr. 87 of Adams passed away on Thursday June 9th 2016 at Gunderson Lutheran Hospital in LaCross with his family by his side. Earl was born on May 13th 1929 in Milwaukee WI, to Adolf (Art) and Helen (Garske) Nahmens. He was a Korean era Veteran serving in the Army as a Morse code Radio operator and was honorably discharged.

Earl is lovingly survived by his first wife Helen, Sons Earl Jr. (Julie), William, Gregory (Yoshie), Michael (Renate), Larry. Daughters Theresa (Brian) Oppermann, Gerri Owen, Sister Carol (Don) Miller. 12 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren 7 Step children, Donald, Wendy, Becky, Fred, Irene, Tina, Bradford 16 Step-grandchildren, 15 step-great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. Special friends; Jackie, Bill, John and special helper & friend Karen.

He was preceded in death by his parents and Brother Donald, Wife Irene Hutchins, Wife Sandra Befus.
There will be two celebrations of life for Earl: July 3rd The Moose Lodge Muskego starting at noon with lunch. Also July 17th 1pm at Community Room Adams Village Apts. Adams, Coffee and Desert (his favorite), Military Rights will be performed 1:30 pm.

Roseberry’s Funeral Home is assisting the family Visit www.roseberrys.com for online condolences and further information.

Earls Family would like to thank everyone for their support and prayers.

In the early 60s he and his wife Helen settled in Muskego and raised seven children, Earl was a talented salesman in the lawn and garden equipment business. To his friends and family, and throughout his sales territory, he was known for his great sense of humor and regarded highly for his sales acumen, which expanded far into the Midwestern and southern states. His earlier years as a Journeyman painter, and the influence of his great grandfather who emigrated from Germany as a master woodworker, inspired him and paved the way to mastery in the woodcraft furniture business. He later owned and operated a furniture restoration business, giving new life to old antiques and creating numerous heirloom-quality pieces well into his retirement years. His Marriage to Irene Hutchins gave him 6 wonderful step children, lastly he married Sandra Befus and became a father to stepson Bradford who loved and respected him. Sandra was the love of his life and passed away 3 weeks before him.

Earl loved music, and was a musician, whose saxophone playing was inspired by a keen appreciation for such Jazz legends as Charlie Parker, Boots Randolph, the Stan Kenton Big Band and many, many more. He played the Saxophone with “Concertina Erv (Ervin Arndt) and the Boys” among others.

His lust for life , music, wood crafting, sense of humor and resilience, have inspired his children, stepchildren, grandchildren and great –grandchildren as well as all others fortunate enough to have known him during his time on earth. His memory will continue to offer an example of a life well-lived, and well-loved, far into the future. Although he will be sorely missed, he will never be forgotten.

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Condolences

  1. Carol Miller (Nahmens) says:

    I miss you so much. We’ve been through so much together – good times and hard times, but we always stuck together with love. You were my big brother and I looked up to you so much. Mom and Dad did such a good job raising us.
    Lots of love from your little sister.

  2. Kathy Gustavson (Miller) says:

    Uncle Earl is so much a part of all the family memories I have – from our trips to Muskego, Kettle Moriane, Indiana, and Adams-Friendship. He was a big presence at all our family gatherings – he was the one who knew so much about the world and had such interesting things to say! . Thank you EJ, Julie, and all the rest who made his last years the best possible. I will miss Uncle Earl. He was a kind, caring person who made me proud to part of the Nahmens family.

  3. Peggy McChesney says:

    I want to send heartfelt condolences to the entire Nahmens family. I have learned people come into and out of our lives for many different reasons which we may not truly understand till our later years. Your Dad is one of those people. He will always have my upmost respect for the way he treated me so many years ago, always with respect, caring, and support. Even more special is the way he and Sandy ensured J was always a part of their lives, picking him up for weekend stays at their house and showing him some of those amazing woodworking skills. As you all know he was a special man and I am so very sorry for your loss.

  4. Geri Owen says:

    From your youngest daughter: Thank you Dad, for all the wonderful memories I will cherish forever, and the opportunity to get to know you while living with you and Sandie in Indiana. And for the beautiful chest you made me for my wedding and the hope chest I was able to pass on to my granddaughter. Thank you E.J. and Julie for being there. I’m so greatful to you both. And I’m thankful I was able to take time off work and help care for him for a couple weeks with Kathy. Dad, you’re now a guardian angel to your children, Grand children, and great grand children. And all your family who’s lives you’ve touched. Til we meet again….

  5. Julie Young-Nahmens -Daughter in Law says:

    Earl was my father in law and I was honored to call him dad and friend, he taught me quite a bit in the 21 years that I knew him. He treated me like his daughter and I was glad we could help him stay living in his home until he passed on, as that was very important to him. He/we was/were so grateful for all the other help that he had coming in and we couldn’t have done it with out them. His neighbors and friends that looked in on him, Children who called to check on him and visit, John from Faith in Action who visited with him and took him shopping or wherever, Tim and the Home Based Primary Care from the VA who took good care of him, his health care helper and friend Karen. It really does take a village.
    Most of all I love him and will miss him.

  6. William Nahmens says:

    One last thought…My super hero did not wear a cape, he could not fly, he had no ex-ray vision or any other super powers..He did not have a secret identity. I just called him Dad

  7. Sue Gallagher says:

    It has been many years since I have seen Earl. He loved his family and he always made you feel welcome in his home.

    I just wanted to offer the entire family my condolences.

    Sue Gallagher

  8. Bill Nahmens says:

    Because of my Dad, I became the man I am today! My Dad taught me that I can anything I put my mind to. I have taken up some small woodworking projects although they may never be on the scale he did or with that master touch of his (after all he was the “Earl of wood”) I still think of him and the “secrets” of woodworking he taught me “if you make a mistake just make it look like you meant to do that”. He helped through 2 divorces. He gave me hope for a future with my children where I could see none. When a child is born he has a father, as he grows the role of the Father changes from one of just pure authority to mentor and finally friend all the while maintaining the role of a Father. I will miss you Dad. I sure wish I would have taken the time to spend more time with you
    Your loving son Bill.

  9. Your youngest Son Larry says:

    My Father was a wonderful caring man. Our time together in Indiana was a growing experience for all. So many great memories, and laughs, tears, and all the other things Family life can bring.
    I want to thank my oldest brother E.J, and wife Julie(who is more a sister than just a sister-in-law), for their time, care, and many sacrifices that it takes to be a caregiver.
    I love you Dad, you will always be in my heart.

  10. Terri Oppermann says:

    My dad was the greatest inspiration in my life. Because of his knowledge of wood work I have many items that I will forever cherish. For the father daughter dance at my wedding we danced to butterfly kisses, that was the first time I saw dad cried. On may 20th dad and I had a father daughter weekend I knew in my heart it would be the last time. Julie and Ej I want you to know how much I love you for all that you had to sacrifice taking care of dad Thank you!

  11. Patricia Schiefer says:

    Earl and Julie so sorry to hear about your dads passing. He will be greatly missed. I have a awesome cabinet that he made in my bathroom.I will think of him.He was a wonderful friend.you need anything let me know. Your friend PattySchiefer.

  12. Linda Maurer says:

    So sorry to hear of Earl’s passing. He was a tenant at Adams Village, where I worked. He was a sweet man. I will remember him fondly.

  13. Mike says:

    My condolences to the Family.

  14. Jackie Smith says:

    Earl and I began a friendship that lasted 7 decades. Earl was my oldest friend and left me great memories to cherish. His friendly nature gave him a trusting appearance that never changed. From our first meeting to our last, he made me feel welcomed in his life. He had a way of accepting people as is and being sensitive to their differences.
    Thanks Earl for being a kind person, a good man and a best friend. Missing you, but seeing you in memory.

  15. Kathy Ganster says:

    Earl was a very sweet man. I had the pleasure of helping him for a few months before I changed jobs. May you rest in peace Earl.

  16. Kay Banie says:

    Earl was one of the nicest people I have ever met in my lifetime. A lot of time when I baked, I would take some goodies down to Earl, especially zuchini bread or cranberry bread. Earl had a sweettooth. I will miss you, my friend. God Bless your family.