John Surrem

1932 - 2024

John Surrem

July 2, 1932 - October 31, 2024

John Andrew Surrem, 92, of Richland Center, Wis., loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 31, 2024, at the Richland Hospital. John was born July 2, 1932, on the family farm in Boaz, Wis., the son of Edmund and Clara (Rognholt) Surrem. John graduated from Richland Center High School in 1950, then enlisted in the US Army, serving from 1950 to 1954 in 541 Signal Company, Camp Roeder, Austria. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to school and graduated from UW Platteville. He married Erma Hipenbecker on June 25, 1966, in Muscoda, Wis. They welcomed their only daughter, Paula Lynne in 1970. John and Erma made their home in Milwaukee, Wis., and John spent his career working for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, retiring after 35 years in 1995. Following his retirement, he and Erma moved back to Richland Center. John spent his retirement years enjoying his homestead, tending his large garden with Erma, riding in the Back Road Express Riders, tinkering on old cars and enjoying his Ford trucks. John lovingly helped care for Erma until her untimely death from dementia in 2013.

John is survived by his daughter, Paula (Kyle) Menzel, of Duluth, Minn; four grandchildren, Hailey (Adam) Kern, of Grafton, Wis., Rachel (Blake) Biondi, of South Bend, Ind., Megan Menzel, of Duluth, Minn., Peyton Menzel, of Duluth, Minn.; great-grandson, Cooper John Kern; and many other relatives and friends.

John was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Erma; sister, Emily; brother-in-law, Gordon Landphier; niece, Diane Landphier; nephew, Scott Landphier; and niece, Linda Cohen.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, November 17, 2024, at 1:00 PM at the Pratt Memorial Chapel in Richland Center, Wis. Burial with military rights will be held at the Five Points Cemetery on Sunday, November 17 at 4:00 PM. Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 17, 2024, at the Pratt Memorial Chapel from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM. The Pratt Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting the family with their arrangements, prattfuneralservice.com.