Fourth Generation

62. Harold Paul KEWIT was born on 4 August 1918 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.^1,77,97,207 He was baptized on 15 September 1918.²⁰⁷ He appeared in the census in 1920 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁴ Harold appeared in the census in 1930 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.³⁴ He served in the military from 13 March 1942 to 10 December 1945. He died on 4 April 2004 at the age of 85 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁵ Obituary Notes: "Harold Paul Kewit, 85, died Sunday, April 4, 2004, at Tomah Memorial Hospital in Tomah. He was born Aug. 4, 1918, to Paul Fredrick and Anna Marie (Marquardt) Kewit in the Town of Ridgeville, Monroe County, WI. He was baptized on Sept. 15, 1918, and confirmed May 14, 1933, in the Lutheran faith at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Ridgeville, by Pastor C.E. Berg.

Harold was united in marriage to Gladys Tessmer on Nov. 15, 1952. He was a lifelong and faithful member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church in Tomah. Before his retirement, he was a carpenter and also worked for the former Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. He also enjoyed working with his hands in his yard, making things beautiful. He was an Army sergeant and a veteran of WWII, serving in the southwest Pacific and with the 260th Signal Heavy Construction Company. He was a lifetime member of Curtis McNutt V.F.W. Post #1382 and Grassman-Sowle-Larsen-Senz American Legion Post #201. Harold was a loving husband, brother and friend.

He is survived by his wife, Gladys, and sisters, Ardella Gerke and Jeannette Becker, all of Tomah; a brother, Jim Kewit of Tomah; step sisters, Dorothy Peterson of Sparta, Viola Pfaff of Millston and Hattie (Ralph) Croy of Calif.; a step-brother, Willard Schultz of California; a sister-in-law, Jean Kewitt of Tomah; a special niece, Adella (Duane) Lueck; special friends Sue O'Neil and Tim and Faith Callahan, all of Tomah; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Anna (Marquardt) Kewit; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Otto and Elfreda (Dettman) Tessmer; a brother, Kenneth Kewit; six sisters and brothers-in-law, Helen (Harry) Westpfahl, Ada (Carl) Miller, Gertrude (Robert Giraud/Ovid Oakes), Violet (Curtis) Farmer, Beatrice (Bud) Wakefield and Margaret (Carl) Drews; an infant sister, Ruth; Edward Becker, Allan Gerke, Kenneth Tessmer and Elmer (Wilma) Tessmer.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, April 7, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church 525 Superior Ave. Tomah. Pastor Phillip Enderle officiated. Burial was in Oak Grove Cemetery with military honors.

Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home 801 East Monowau St. Tomah on Tuesday from 4 until 8 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service."
Harold was buried on 7 April 2004 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁵ in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Harold Paul KEWIT and Gladys Bertha "Gladdie" TESSMER were married on 15 November 1952 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^36,208 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. They celebrated their 50th anniversary at a party on Saturday, November 16, 2002. Gladys Bertha "Gladdie" TESSMER, daughter of Otto Frederich TESSMER and Elfreida Marie Johnanna DETTMAN, was born on 9 August 1928 in Fountain City, Buffalo County, WI. She died on 3 October 2018 at the age of 90 in Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁰⁹ Obituary Notes: "Gladys B. Kewit, 90, of Tomah passed away Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018, at the Tomah Care Center. She was born Aug. 9, 1928, to Otto F. and Elfrieda M. (Dettman) Tessmer in Hustler, Wis.

Gladys was a member of the Tomah High School graduating class of 1942. On Nov. 15, 1952, she was united in marriage to Harold P. Kewit at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, Tomah.

In her earlier years, Gladys waitressed at the Badger and later was employed by the Tomah VA in the food service department, retiring after 34 years as the food service department supervisor.

She was faithful and devoted member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church and enjoyed attending church on Sundays. Gladys also enjoyed socializing with her family and friends, especially going out for lunch after church and was always to be sure to save room for a slice a pie. She was a meticulous housekeeper and took pride in a job well done. She had a great sense of humor and would often end a conversation with a creative euphemism.

She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and a past member of the VFW Auxiliary. She can now rest peacefully in the arms of Jesus.

She is survived by her nieces, Adella (Duane) Lueck and Caroline Tessmer-Brown; a nephew, Donald Tessmer; special friends, Sue O’Neil and Tim and Faith Callahan. She is further survived by many other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harold; two brothers, Kenneth Tessmer and Elmer Tessmer; and a sister-in-law, Wilma Tessmer.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 8, at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, 525 Superior Ave., Tomah. Pastor Curt S. Backhaus will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of the service Monday at the church. The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home is assisting the family."