OBITUARY: Howard John “Howie” Greve

Howard John “Howie” Greve; husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, formerly of Brillion, died peacefully on Saturday, May 19, 2018 at Brewster Village in Appleton with his family at his side. He was 92 years old.

Howie was born on the family farm on June 18, 1925 to the late Alvin and Leona (Radloff) Greve of Brillion. He graduated from Brillion High School in 1943. He enjoyed a lengthy bachelorhood including owning his own bar, “Howie’s Bar” in Appleton, traveling, which included a trip to Cuba and attended the Rose Bowl in California. A friend set him up on a blind date with Mary Lou Hartmann of Brillion. They fell in love and married in 1967. After moving back to Brillion, Howie worked the family farm and also owned and operated the Brillion Liquor Store for many years.

He enjoyed fishing at the family cottage in Three Lakes. He was a Packer season ticket holder and attended the first two Super Bowls and the legendary Ice Bowl.  He also liked watching the Brewers and Brillion High School team sports.

After raising their five children, Howie and Mary Lou sold the farm and retired to Appleton where they enjoyed their garden and frequent trips to play bingo at the casino. For thirteen years they spent the winter months in California or Arizona, which they really enjoyed. Last year they celebrated 50 years of marriage. Anyone who knew him would remark on his unique chuckle, kindness and easy-going manner.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou, and their five children; Joy Farnsworth and fiance Dennis Marx of Appleton, Jay Greve of Menasha, James (Skip) Greve and wife Jill of Brillion, Julie Pickart and husband Jim of Oshkosh, and Jodie Greve of Kaukauna; ten grandchildren; Laura Kempen and Abigail Ledvina; Sydney and Sophie Greve; Cody and Collin Greve; Nicole Suess, Mindy, Dane and Sierra Pickart, and twelve great-grandchildren; in-laws: Donna Klarner, Dennis Hartmann and special friend Diana, and Marge Hartmann.

He was preceded in death by his parents, father and mother-in-law Othmar “Butch” and Caroline (Boll) Hartmann, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, David (Barb) Hartmann, Betsy (Glenn) Brandt, and Cyril Klarner, other in-laws, and many aunts and uncles.

The funeral service will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at Wieting Funeral Home in Brillion. Friends may call at the funeral home from 3:00 p.m. until the time of the service.  All are welcome to attend and celebrate Howie’s life.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Brewster Village, the doctors from Mosaic Family Health and all the staff from Theda-Care Hospital Appleton for their care and compassion.