Anton "Tony" Rems

Anton “Tony” Rems, age 67 of Arbor Vitae, WI died on Tuesday, February 17th at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
Tony was born in a camp for displaced persons in Spittal, Austria on June 13, 1947. His parents & older brother were forced to leave their homeland & 400 year old family farm property in Slovenja at the close of WWII when the communists took over vast territories, including Slovenja. With the help of Catholic Charities, the family was finally allowed to emigrate to America in 1950, when Tony was 2 years old. First settling on a tobacco farm in North Carolina, and then with the help of sponsors, they moved to Joliet, Illinois. He graduated from Joliet Catholic High School.

The man of many hats learned at an early age that it paid to be industrious, and set out to earn as much as he could by multitasking and taking on many jobs at one time. As a teenager he became totally engrossed in cars and racing. So he became self taught in automotive repair, painting & enhancement and also took on employment with Caterpillar Tractor Company as a drill press operator.

In 1966 Tony was inducted into the US Army 25th Infantry Division, and quickly sent to Viet Nam. His hazardous duty was largely isolated, driving gasoline tankers up and down the HoChiMinh trail, from Saigon to CuChi at night. When he returned to the US, he became an instructor for ROTC personnel in Pennsylvania, preparing them for what they would experience in Viet Nam. He was discharged in 1969 and resumed work at Caterpillar Tractor Company.

In 1970 he traded his fast cars for a house & family when he met & married his wife Judy and 3 of their children were born in Joliet. After a period of relative ease, he suffered a back injury at work and was forced to take early retirement. Considering his love for the Northwoods of Wisconsin, the decision was made to relocate the family to Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin. The move was made in 1977 and he started building a new house and also added 1 last child. At this point he became self-employed, learning more about all of the building trades. He worked in construction, reconstruction, repair & remodeling. His happiest, most creative & fulfilling time was spent when his talents came out as a true craftsman in the art of wood boat restoration, while working for Arbor Vitae Marine. Later he became known as a "caretaker" for people who owned 2nd homes in the area and needed help opening & closing for the season, including cleanup and repair service. Also, he became known as a "caregiver", caring for physically limited individuals.

As a devoted father he was finally able to spend more leisurely time with family & children. Shared an extreme sense of pride in his grandchildren, but his time was too short to pass down the knowledge he wanted to impart to them. He became ill with cancer during the last 2 years of his life. While maintaining a positive attitude during that time with treatments, he continued to lose stamina and eventually became housebound, much to his displeasure. Tony always extended a helping hand to anyone in need to the end.

He is survived by his wife, Judy of Arbor Vitae, WI and Children: Christi (Byron) Hunter of Twin Lakes, WI; Lori (Jason) Kizewski of Wausau, WI; William (Jennifer) Rems of River Falls, WI and Kelly Rems of Minocqua, WI and by 9 Grandchildren: Samuel, Joshua, Nathaniel, Abigail and Lydia Hunter; Reece and Colton Kizewski and Patrick and Olivia Rems and by 2 Brothers: John (Margaret) Rems of Green Oaks, IL and Jacob F. (Susi) Rems of Irvine, CA and by numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Was preceded in death by his Parents; Janez “John” and Metka “Margaret” Rems and infant Sister and granddaughter and 1 Brother in law, Michael Ahlborn.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 22nd at Nimsgern Funeral Home Chapel in Woodruff, WI from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM and Funeral Mass will be on Monday, February 23rd at 11:00 AM at Holy Family Catholic Church in Woodruff, WI with a visitation from 10:00 AM till time of service at the church. Burial will take place in the spring at St. Patricks Cemetery in Woodruff, WI

The Rems family extends heartfelt gratitude to the doctors and staff at Aspirus Hospital in Wausau for their kind and compassionate care that Tony received in battling his illness.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Slovenian Catholic Mission,PO Box 608, Lemont, IL 60439 or the Slovenian Catholic Center, PO Box 634, Lemont, IL 60439 or Holy Family Catholic Church, 8950 Hwy J, Woodruff, WI 54568

Online condolences may be shared at www.nimsgernfuneral.com

NIMSGERN FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES IS SERVING THE FAMILY.