Alfred Ervin "Beiney" Beinemann

Beinemann, Alfred Ervin "Beiney"

Al Beinemann, 87, a Sheboygan native, passed away on August 25, 2013 at Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center.

Al was born October 25, 1925, to Alfred and Melitta Lang Beinemann in Sheboygan and was proud to be a part of the greatest generation in American History. He had a tremendous love of family and country.

Al graduated from Jefferson Elementary School in 1940 and was proud to have never missed a day of school. At age 18, while a senior at Central High he was drafted into the United States Army. After finishing basic training, he attended the communication school and graduated as a wireman. He was deployed overseas the same day his classmates graduated from high school.

Al served with the 83rd infantry division in combat and the 94th infantry division in the occupation army in Austria after the war. His battalion in the 83rd infantry division spearheaded the 9th Army's drive into Germany. His division stopped fighting only 35 miles from Berlin when they met the Russian Army.

Al's regiment was awarded the Presidential unit citation. Al was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Metal, European Campaign Medal and ten commendation medals. He served almost 2 ½ years in the infantry in the United States Army and 19 months overseas.

Al was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9156. He served as the Senior Vice Commander at the post for several years and was a member of the Military Funeral Unit. Al loved history and speaking to high school classes and community groups about WWII and specifically the Battle of the Bulge. He also conducted presentations about the Civil War, the Wild West and various Indian Tribes. Al has written a book about his experiences in WWII. Copies of this book can be checked out from the Mead Library.

Al married Elaine Hoogstra at St. Paul's Church, September 4, 1948. Al and Elaine loved to travel. They traveled to 48 states and Europe. Both he and Elaine have been residents of Libby's House, Plymouth since 2011.

Al was employed at Wisconsin Public Service for 40 years and never missed a day of work. His friendships with colleagues at WPS continued to the time of his death. He very much enjoyed going out for breakfast with these friends who included him in these gatherings.

After his retirement at WPS, Al enjoyed teaching distribution of natural gas and bottled gas classes at NETC, Green Bay.

Al was a very active man who loved spending time with his grandchildren. He also loved golf, swimming, camping, sheepshead, the Green Bay Packers, the Milwaukee Brewers and the Wisconsin Badgers.

Al was a confirmed member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, N. 13th St. & Lincoln Ave, Sheboygan. He and Elaine were greeters at St. Paul's and Al enjoyed delivering tapes of church services to shut-ins.

Al is survived by his wife Elaine, two sons, Robert (Jean) Beinemann of Sheboygan and James Beinemann of Pocatello, ID; two grandchildren, Matthew of Sheboygan and Amanda of Rochester, MN; a sister Jeanette (George) Ruppenthal, sisters-in-law Jan (late Richard) Beinemann and Corrine (Jack) Bohnsack; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 29, 2013, at St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church, 13th & Lincoln Ave. followed by Military Honors. The Rev. Alan Kretschmar, pastor, will officiate. Relatives and friends are welcome at the church on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Entombment will be at Garden Terrace Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated for the American Heart Association, VFW Post 9156 or the Mead Library.

Al, you will be greatly missed. Your courage and strength have been an inspiration to many.

Al wished to thank his son Bob and daughter-in-law Jean, his grandchildren and the staff at Libby's House for their excellent care during his last years. Thanks is also extended to Dr. Wenberg, Dr. Kutticat, Dr. Kumar and the staff of Aurora Sheboygan Clinic and Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center for their care as well.