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Louis Joseph Furrer
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Louis Joseph Furrer, age 94 of Eau Claire,
died Friday, March 16, 2007 at Sacred Heart
Hospital. Louis was born in Grantwood, New
Jersey on July 23, 1912. His parents, Joseph
and Josephine (Wojack) Furrer were immigrants
from Switzerland and Checkeslovakia,
respectively. He spent the first twelve years
in Grantwood and then moved to Beachwood, New
Jersey, where he matriculated from Toms River
High School.
In 1929 he went to the University of
Wisconsin, Madison. Feeling that war was
imminent, he joined the R.O.T.C. (Reserve
Officers Training Corps). He graduated in 1934
with a BA in Geology and was commissioned a
Second Lieutenant in the Army Reserves.
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| Wisconsin State Law, at that
time, decreed the two brightest ROTC senior
students would receive Temporary Active
Commission in the Army. Louis was offered this
award. That fall he had married Lucille
Mullendore. As he was walking by the Colonel's
open door, he said, "Furrer are you
married?" Lou said, "Yes Sir."
Because of his marriage he no longer qualified
for the Army Commission. The Colonel felt very
badly about his disqualification and as a
measure of respect gave Louis his personal
saber. |
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On December 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor was attacked and
war was declared. 2nd Lieutenant Furrer was at Camp
Wolters in Fort Worth, Texas. He continued his training in many camps around the United States. And in March of 1944 he landed in England. He trained there until June of 1944 and then was shipped across the English Channel to France. Eight days after "The Big Push" he landed on Omaha Beach. He was Infantry Company Commander till August of 1945. While Company Commander he was awarded the Silver Star for Bravery, the Bronze Star, and the Combat infantry Badge. He joined the United Forces Army Liberation. He was wounded and invalided to England for recuperation. Upon leaving the English hospital he was transferred to serve at a prisoner of war camp at Cherbourg, France, containing approximately 40, 000 detainees and prisoners from the Axis Powers. After a short time, he became Commander of the camp. |
He returned to America on September 12, 1945 as a
Major. He was Commander of Training Division, 101st
in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. During the Securities
Planning of the U.S. Major Furrer was appointed Head
of the military police in Milwaukee, which carried
the title of Lt. Colonel. John Furay appointed Lt.
Col. Furrer as Price Coordinator.
Louis worked the rest of his active working life at Sears Roebuck and the Consumers Co-op in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Louis Furrer was a very active member and head of the following lodges; Blue Lodge, Eastern Star, White Shrine and Amaranth. He was a 32nd degree Mason.
Lucille Mullendore was his wife for 62 years until the time of her death on January 1, 1997.
On August 6, 1999 he married Lucille Weir, a long time Eau Claire resident.
Louis is preceded in death by his parents, sisters, (Josephine and Marie), and his first wife, Lucille.
He is survived by four children: Bruce Durand (Sharyn)
Furrer, Wausau; Kay Lucille Furrer, San Diego, CA; Robert Louis (Darlene)
Furrer, Eau Claire and Bunny (Mark) Grangaard of Las Vegas, NV. Louis is also survived by his wife, Lucille
Weir-Furrer, four step-children: Marshall (Vicki) Weir, Osseo; Richard (Robin) Weir,
Eleva; William Weir, Mondovi, and Sherrie (Peter) Ring of Eau Claire, and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Memorials may be sent to the Sanctuary Blue Lodge #347 F & AM, 616 Graham Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54701.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 22, 2007 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with Bishop Thomas Hilton officiating. Family and friends may call at
Fuller-Speckien-Hulke Funeral Home on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with Masonic Services at 7:00 p.m. Interment will be in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in the Town of Bloom.
Fuller-Speckien-Hulke Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Friends may offer their condolences online at www.fullerspeckein.com
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