Frank M. Ermers

1923 - 2011

Frank M. Ermers, age 88, passed away Monday, October 24, 2011 at Colony Oaks Nursing Home, Appleton. He was born on July 24, 1923 in Kimberly; son of the late Anton and Lucy (Van Dunn) Ermers. He grew up in Sunset Point. In 1942, at the age of 19, he joined the U.S. Navy to serve his country during WWII. He served from the LST #1, the first ship built for the war from Manitowoc shipyards. Frank was a diesel mechanic. He was involved in five European and African invasions including the D-Day invasion of Normandy. He was very proud of his service to his country. After the war, he worked at Kimberly Clark as a painter and also painted many homes in the Fox Valley area. He worked for Don Radtke in many of the homes built in Combined Locks. At the time of his retirement, he worked at Fox Valley Technical College. Frank loved to garden, keeping his corner of Weimar St. and College Ave. beautifully filled with flowers. He enjoyed feeding the birds, taking road trips, playing cards, and teasing waitresses at the local restaurants. In June 1981, he married Carrie Bowser in Loveland, CO, they shared 30 years together, she survives him. He is also survived by children, Rosalie Hietpas (Luke), Ellen Kaminski (Dennis), Randy Ermers, Joel Bowser (Lisa), Debbie Bowser, and Darlene Shadduck (Jon); grandchildren, Dawn Rivers, Sarah Peterson (special friend, Dean), Katie Bartell, Nora Lessard (Tony), Maggie Rose, Amy Kaminski (special friend, Amy), Jason Kaminski (Stephanne), Zachary Bowser (Tiana), Heather Brown (Chris), Michael Bowser, Amanda Bowser, Shalayna Reeck, and Austin Bowser. His great grandchildren are Josh Vander Wielen, Melissa Stevenson, Abbi, Zach and Nic Rivers, Isaac Peterson, Casey Thomas and Carter Bartell, Emery, Asher and Lennox Lessard, Freja Rose, Brayden Kaminski, Carlos and Calvin Bowser, Wade and Peyton Brown, Hallie Bowser, Seth and Aaron Bowser, Bibiana Galvez and Esperanza Reeck. He is also survived by a sister, Mary Hines and in laws, Reg Ahrens and Erla Ermers; former wife, Esther Ermers; in laws Grace Javoroski (Larry); brother, John Skovera (Jean) and many nieces and nephews. Frank was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Martin, John, Tony, Teddy and George and sisters, Dorothy Peerenboom and Ella Jane Ahrens. A service for Frank will be held TODAY, October 27, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. at Valley Funeral Home, Appleton, with Pastor Greg Sampson officiating. Family and friends may visit at the funeral home on Thursday from 11:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Entombment will take place in Highland Memorial Park, Appleton.

Dad, You were a curmudgeon! We had made our peace with each other. I will miss the walks around our yards looking at our gardens. Thank you for all you have given me, especially that last smile and squeeze of my hand. I'll see you in that big garden someday and we will walk together again.

Valley Funeral Home

2211 N. Richmond St.

Appleton (920)733-5435

www.valleyfh.com

"Serving as would be Served"