Anderson Funeral Home
Homeserving families for over 70 years
312 South Stone St.
Augusta, WI 54722
715-286-2222
Bill Bluem
William Alexander Bluem, age 84, of Eau Claire, passed away Saturday, June 13, 2015, at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at Chippewa Falls.
Bill was born on Sept. 20, 1930, to Alexander and Josephine (Risler) Bluem in the Town of Drammen. He graduated from Mondovi High School in 1949. On June 7, 1955, he married Sylvia A. King at St. Anthony’s Church in Augusta. He served in the Army in the Korean Conflict from January 1952 to November 1953, interrupting his job as candy cook at Webster’s Candy, Eau Claire. Bill was a gravedigger and caretaker for decades on many area cemeteries. He loved the outdoors, gardening, and sharing a good story.
Bill is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sylvia; children Charles (Renee) of Osseo, Douglas (Rose Borntrager) of Cadott, Timothy (Cheryle) of Osseo, Jeffrey (Christi) of Fall Creek, Debra (Robert) Toftness of River Falls, Cynthia (Daniel) Dusick of Eau Claire, Pamela Bluem of Eau Claire, Larry (Mary) of Fall Creek, Karen (Robert) Derks of Greenville, Richard (Patricia) of Eleva, and Mary (Charlie Greene) Kesteven of Sparta; 28 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters Kenneth (Irene), Frances (Delmar) Travis, Dorothy (Russell) Pederson, Clement (Virginia); brother-in-laws Roger King, Phillip (Lois) Lato, Herbert Henning and Marvin Gragert, sister-in-laws Ruby Silver and Arlene Harrigan; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Bill is preceded in death by his brother Marcellus; sister-in-laws Mary Ann, Helen, Esther Lato, Gladys Henning, and Dorothy Gragert; brother-in-laws Bernard King, Julian King, Kenneth Harrigan, and Glen King.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, June 17, 2015 at noon at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Altoona. Interment will be at a later date in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Eau Claire.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the Anderson Funeral Home in Augusta, and one hour prior to services Wednesday at the church.
The family thanks the staff at the Wisconsin Veterans Home of Chippewa Falls, St. Joseph's Hospice, Chippewa Falls, and Dr. Terry Benson.
Memorials may be made to the Wisconsin Veterans Home at Chippewa Falls or to St. Joseph's Hospice.
