Willems, Gilbert H.

Gilbert married Ziese, Mary Magdaline 24 Jun 1939, De Pere, Brown, Wisconsin, USA. Mary (daughter of Zeise, Otto Gustive and Scheuren, Mary Katherine) was born 3 Apr 1919, Green Bay, Brown, Wisconsin, USA; died 1 Jul 2005; was buried , Allouez Catholic Cemetery, Green Bay, Brown, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Military Service: Aft 1959; US Air Force
• Obituary: Aft 10 Mar 2016

Notes:

Obituary:
Leland Joseph "Lee" Willems, 74, De Pere, passed away Thursday, March 10, 2016, at home following a short battle with colon cancer. He was born on September 22, 1941, in Green Bay to Gilbert and Mary Magdalen (Zeise) Willems.
Lee moved with his family to Oconto Falls and returned to Green Bay in 1954. He attended St. Patrick Grade School, Premontre High School and graduated from Green Bay West High School. Lee served his country in the U.S. Air Force. After returning from service, he was employed by Sherwin-Williams Company for 34 years. The last 11 years with them, Lee managed their Oneida Street location before retiring. In his retirement, he was hired by the Green Bay Packers Organization as a tour guide. Lee always referred to this as his "dream job" and enjoyed it to the fullest. His enthusiasm was contagious to all who ever took his tours. When he was not working, Lee enjoyed golfing and was instrumental in founding the "Old Pharts" golf league at Highland Ridge Golf Course in De Pere. He was also a kidney transplant recipient; having received a very successful transplant from his brother, Paul in January of 2015. On September 27, 1987, Lee married Barb Benz and the two blended their families into one large one.
Lee is survived by his wife of 28 plus years, Barb; a very special stepdaughter, Brooke Benz and her fiancé, Joe Sotelo Jr., Green Bay; a stepson and his wife, Scott and Julia Benz, Sydney, Australia; Lee's six children and their spouses, Cheryl and Gary Chambers, Jeff and Michele Willems, Lori and Pete Abel, Linda and Brian Johanek, all of Green Bay, Scott and Tammy Willems, Sobieski, Randy and Mary Willems, Green Bay; 22 grandchildren and their spouses, Tyler Benz, Cade Benz, Charles Knox and his friend ,Trista Mattox, Jessica and Tyler Marchetti, Ashley Knox and her fiancé Doug Rozmairek, Jason Chambers and his friend, Katie Korbus, Nicholas Willems, Nathan Willems and his friend, Hailey Juidici, Kyle Willems, Amber and Abe Weber, Josh Abel, Travis Abel, Mason Johanek, Elena Johanek, Mya Johanek, Joey Willems, Jaclyn Willems, Alec Willems, Jadyn Willems, Pierce Willems, Chance Willems and Kylie Wennesheimer; 11 great-grandchildren, Elliana, Grant, Carter, Callan, Aiden, Zayne, Adalyn, Landon, Kya, Emma and Zoe; five siblings and their spouses, Dan and Mary Lou Willems, Crivitz, Paul and Barbara Willems, Mary and Dave Lannoye, Barb and Cecil Rennells, all of Green Bay, David and Mary Willems, Appleton; two brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law, Jim and Ruth Patton, Florida, Bill Ciha, Luxemburg; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Pam and Brian Schafer, Washington; numerous, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Lee was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Ian; infant brother, Joseph Willems; father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Lorraine Patton; and sister-in-law, Karen Ciha.
Friends may call at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave., from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday. The Funeral Service will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home concluding with full military honors. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Lee's name.
Lee's family extends a special thank you to their friends and his care givers who have helped through the years, especially the transplant and cancer teams at Mayo Clinic, Unity Hospice, Green Bay Packers Organization, Dr. Tahsildar and Dr. Khan of the Bellin cancer team, and Dr. James Jerzak. Thank you also to the pastoral team from Mannafest Church, and to longtime friends, Pastor Marlene Nelson and her husband, Larry Nelson. The family expresses their most sincere gratitude to Lee's brother, Paul Willems for the gift of another year.