Leland T. Rymer

Leland T. Rymer, 86, Oconto Falls, died peacefully Saturday morning, May 11, 2024 at The Cottages at Meadowlands surrounded by family and friends.  He was born July 1, 1937 in Menominee, MI to Morris and Norine (Salter) Rymer.  Lee grew up in the Town of Morgan and graduated from Oconto Falls High School with the class of 1955.  Following graduation, he attended Marquette University and graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree in 1959.  His first job was as a loan officer for Wisconsin Finance in Elkhorn, WI.  In 1962, he became a loan officer at Kellogg Citizens Bank in Green Bay and would meet his future wife.

On May 23, 1964 he married Judy McMullen and from 1966 until 1973, Lee worked as a loan officer and branch manager of the Oconto Falls branch of Gillett State Bank.  In 1973, Lee received his real estate broker’s license and became self-employed as Leland T. Rymer Real Estate and along with his wife, Judy ran their company for many years.

In 1986, Lee was elected to the Oconto County Board of Supervisors where he served as vice-chairman from 1994-1998 when he became board chairman from 1998 until 2018.  Over his years of service with Oconto County, he served on the highway, personal & wages and finance/insurance committees.  Locally, he was a member of River Island Golf Club where he served as treasurer from 1965-1975.  Lee also volunteered as a Babe Ruth baseball coach from 1966-1975.  As a charter member of the Oconto Falls Lion’s Club, he served as president from 1984-1986 and belonged for 15 years to the Oconto Falls Businessmen’s Association and Chamber of Commerce.  Lee also served on the Oconto Falls School Board for 9 years and as their treasurer from 1977-79.  For 10 years, he represented Oconto County on the NWTC board and belonged to the Green Bay Chamber of Commerce.

As a longtime member of the Wisconsin Counties Association, Lee served on the resolutions committee from 1998-2001 while also serving in 2001 on the audit & dues and ITBEC committees.  From 2000, on he served on the WI Counties Mutual Insurance Corp., WCA Services Inc, WCA and Group Health Trust Board of Directors in both president and vice president capacities and their workers comp committee.  As a longtime member of St. Anthony Parish, Lee served as an usher and on the finance committee for 30 years and conducted the annual school auction for 15 years.

Survivors are his two children, Jill (Tim Armstrong) and Michael (Holly) Rymer; four grandchildren, twins Sophia and Julian, Ella and Haley; Tim’s children, Hunter and Diesel; one sister-in-law, Nancy Hunkel; three nephews, Chris, David and Pete Hunkel; special family angel and caregiver, Tiffany Truttman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Judy on December 25, 2023, an infant brother Gerald Rymer, two brothers-in-law, David Hunkel and Colin “Butch” McMullin, and his in-laws, Colin and Phoebe (Trittin) McMullen.

Visitation will be after 10:00 AM Saturday, June 8, 2024 at Jones Funeral Service in Oconto Falls until the time of service.  A service of remembrance will take place 1:00 PM Saturday at the funeral home with Deacon Peter Gard presiding.  Burial will follow in St. Anthony Cemetery, Oconto Falls.