Donald H. Wermter

Donald H. Wermter, 72, lifelong area resident died peacefully on Monday, July 11, 2022, at home surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Superior, WI, July 25, 1949, the son of Herbert and Jean (Pederson) Wermter.

Don graduated from Northwestern High School in 1967. In 1970 he met the love of his life, Debra Johnson. Don and Deb were united in marriage by a Justice of the Peace on April 2, 1971, and in 2021 they were remarried in a private-family church service to commemorate their 50 years of marriage. It was a day that their family will cherish forever - to see a love so deep and enduring after all those years of working side by side.

Don was active in his community as a well-established business owner for many years. In 1976 Don and Deb bought Rivord’s - where they had first met - and renamed it Wermter’s Bar. This is where they raised their four children and made countless lifelong friends. At Wermter’s, they started a car club with their friends and named it The North County Cruisers.

Alongside the bar was a beautiful softball field which Don was most proud of. He started a little league team and hosted many men’s and women’s teams and hosted tournaments over the years. In January 1993 they purchased The Road House Bar and in the years following they added a convenience store and The Road House Supper Club. In 2008 they purchased Lost in the Fifties bar in Superior and in 2010 they purchased The Log Cabin Tavern in South Range.

Until he was 71 years old, Don spent long days working outdoors and keeping himself active. Don and Deb supported their family by cutting and selling firewood. This work; however, was founded in passion and never felt like a chore. The Wermter Family would like to thank Don’s school mate Wes Little and wife Bonnie for the best five years of his life. Wes and Bonnie gave him 30 acres of oak to cut off and he worked until one year ago.

For Don, quality time with his family was most important. He enjoyed taking spontaneous family road trips, often including friends, to Wisconsin Dells. He spent hours singing with his father and developing a love for music. Don was a giver, he lived to help others without expecting anything in return and he loved others unconditionally, especially his family.

During his high school years, he stepped up as caretaker for his siblings. In 1994 his life was turned upside down with the birth of his first grandchild, but he quickly found it a blessing. Welcoming more grandchildren, he continued to make an impact as he became an honorary grandpa to his grandchildren’s friends. He was a father to all who needed his compassion, teaching, and strength.
Don was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend to many and will be dearly missed by all who knew him!

Don is survived by his beloved wife Debra Wermter; children: Bradley (Cammilla Carlton) Wermter, Scott Wermter, Amy (Marc Anderson) Wermter, and Paula (William) Hoffer;  grandchildren: Ashli (Dan) Giles, Donovan Luoma, Drew Stribley, Dalton Luoma, Felicia Stribley, Haylei Wermter and Reese Hoffer, Taylor, Ryan, and Morgan Anderson;  great-grandchildren: Bentley Luoma, and Noah Giles;  siblings: Gloria, James, and Debbie Wermter; bonus sisters: Lucy Goneau, Sharon Johnson, and Shelly Suhonen.

Don is preceded in death by his parents Herbert Wermter and Jane Wermter (Pederson); stepfather Vern Pankow; brother Dwayne; and his father-and-mother-in-law Robert and Eileen Johnson.

Pallbearers for Don are his close friends: Wes Little, Cal Ruska, Frank Schwirtz, Randy Hurst, Rollie Edman, and Jeff Pederson.

Visitation will be held Friday, July 15, 2022, 4:00-8:00pm, Zion Lutheran Church, 2022 East 2 ^nd Street, Superior, WI 54880.  Visitation will resume at Zion Lutheran Church, Saturday, July 16, 2022, 11:00am-12:00pm, followed by the Funeral Service at 12:00pm, Sarah Gunderson officiating. Committal will follow the funeral service at the Parkview Cemetery, Hawthorne, Wisconsin. A luncheon will follow the committal at the Hawthorne Town Hall, Hawthorne, WI.

In lieu of floral arrangements, the family is designating monetary donations for a living tree and bench to be planted and established at The Road House Bar which will be enjoyed by all wishing to visit.

The Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home, 1209 E. 5 ^th Street, Superior, WI, is assisting the family with the service.   To leave a condolence or sign the guestbook, please visit www.lenroot-maetzold.com.