Paul J. Wollemann

Paul J. Wollemann October 20, 1934 ~ December 19, 2025

Sylvia J. Wollemann October 15, 1937 ~ December 27, 2020

Paul John Wollemann died Dec.19, 2025, after a long struggle with dementia, after a rich and fulfilling life. He was preceded in death by his devoted wife, Sylvia, after they shared 62 years of marriage, his father Paul, mother Agnes, sister Toots, brother Ray, and by his beloved daughter-in-law Cindy Wollemann. Paul is survived by sons Kevin, Mark (Melody Gilbert), and Gary, five grandchildren (Heather, Reade, Jenna, Heidi and Sara), four great-grandchildren (Kira, Melina, Amel, and Nora), brother Gerald, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws and many dear friends from throughout Paul and Sylvia's lives together.

Paul was born in Milwaukee and attended Boys Technical high school before joining the Navy, honorable discharge (1952-1954). After his stint in the Navy, Paul returned to Milwaukee where he met Sylvia and fell in love at first sight. After the courtship of the country girl and the city boy, they were married in 1958.

In Paul's work life, he fixed things. Cars, trucks, small engines, big engines – pretty much anything that had an engine and wheels. He worked for the City of Milwaukee, the Milwaukee School Board, the Milwaukee Fire Department and in his final 20 years, he was the master mechanic for the Wauwatosa Fire Department, where he truly loved going because of the brotherhood he had there.

Paul retired from civil service in 1991 and moved to Brantwood, Wis., where Sylvia was born. He had spent the previous couple of years watching "This Old House" episodes and dreaming of building his own house. He had never really taken on a project that big, but he was never afraid of a challenge. After having the foundation dug and concrete poured, he basically spent the next seven months working tirelessly to build his dream home. He finished just before Christmas that year and it was the start of a new vocation for him.

Paul and Sylvia lived together in that house for more than three decades, until Sylvia died after a lengthy bout with cancer in December 2020. Sylvia taught elementary school grades in Milwaukee public schools for 26 years and retired in 1992. Sylvia loved cooking, baking, and her flower and vegetable gardens. Family and her friends were especially important to her, hosting Christmas and Thanksgiving often with both family and friends. She was one of the founders of the Knox Creek Heritage Center, a historical preservation facility in Brantwood that celebrates early European settlers of the area. She and Paul worked tirelessly to build and maintain the museum, which remains a vital part of the northern Wisconsin community. She was also very politically informed.

They are missed and loved.

A celebration of life gathering will be held for them both on May 16th, 2026, from 12 noon until 2pm at Becker Ritter funeral home,14075 W. North Avenue, Brookfield, Wis. A light luncheon will be available.