Full Obituary

     ELMER R. “BUTCH” LEWAN, age 88, of Brule, WI, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at Twin Ports Health Services in Superior, WI.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30am on Friday, April 20, 2018 at St. Mary's Polish National Catholic Church in Lublin.  Rev. Marion Talaga will officiate and burial will follow in the parish cemetery.  Visitation will be held at the church, on Friday, from 9:30am until time of service.
     Elmer Raymond Lewan was born on April 29, 1929 in Hamtramck, MI to the late Stanley and Frances (Szemraj) Lewan.  Butch was raised in Lublin, WI on the family farm and attended area schools in Lublin and Gilman.  He moved to Chicago and was employed there for several years, before returning to central Wisconsin, beginning employment as a road inspector for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.  Butch’s true love of the outdoors steered him to be a Conservation Officer (Game Warden) with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.  He served with great distinction for 27 years.  After retirement, he devoted his time as the Trail Manager for the 62-mile Tri-County Recreational Corridor that ran from Ashland to Superior.   His dedication to the corridor for 15 years was superb.  In addition to working as a Trail Manager after his retirement, Butch also worked for Hood Trucking Company and delivered equipment to Canada, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
     Butch’s fishing and hunting skills were an important part of his life.  He enjoyed fishing trips to Canada with family and friends, playing baseball and watching his favorite team on TV – the “Braves”.  His knack of gardening was next to none and he took pride in it.  Butch was very talented playing Polkas on his concertina which entertained thousands over the years.  He was very proud to play Polkas with Elmer Scheid – his idol.  He was a great cook who enjoyed cooking for the various fish camps in the area.  He truly loved the outdoors and respected the deer, bear and turkeys that stopped over daily to visit him.
     He was a devoted member of the Brule River Lions Club, where he received local and national awards, including the prestigious Melvin Jones Award.  In addition, Butch earned the Excellent Service Award for his years of service to the Tri-County Corridor.  Butch had a great love for the outdoors, the environment and spending time with his family and friends.
     Butch is survived by his 2 brothers:  Ray (Pauline) Lewan and Sylvester "Silver" Lewan, both of Lublin;  2 nephews:  Randy (Pam) Lewan and Tim (Deb) Lewan, both of Thorp;  2 nieces:  Michele (Eugene) Pogodzinski of Thorp, and Lisa (Jim) Turenne of Merrill;  12 great nieces and nephews;  4 great-great nieces and nephews;  cousins, other relatives and special friends: Tubby (Norma) Olson and family, John Burzynski, Richard (Kathy) Mackey and family, and Ed (Kay) Hill and family.
     He was preceded in death by his parents.