Biography

Glenn Joseph Besaw, age 81 of Neopit, passed away Thursday, June 7, 2012 at the Shawano Medical Center. Born on May 3, 1931 in Keshena, he was the son of the late Joseph and Marcella (Gristeau) Besaw. Glenn graduated from Shawano High School and on August 30, 1950, enlisted with the United States Marine Corps to serve his country during the Korean War Era. He was Honorably discharged three years later as a Sergeant and had been awarded a naval Occupation Ribbon and a Good Conduct Medal. After service, Glenn furthered his education by attending Heavy Construction Equipment Operators School in Milwaukee, Diesel Engineering School at Texas A&M, and the National Hardwood Lumber Inspection School. On September 24, 1954 he was united in marriage to Eldora T. Beauprey. Glen was a long-time employee at the Menominee Tribal Enterprise where he worked as the sawmill foreman, crane operator, log grader, mechanic and served on the Board. He was also very active during the Termination and Restoration Era of the Menominee Indian Tribe as a member of the Menominee Council of Chiefs that fought to maintain the Tribe’s name and hunting and fishing rights. Glenn also worked as a police officer and a fireman during that time. When not working, Glenn enjoyed playing with the Old Mill Bar Horseshoes, softball, golfing, hunting and bowling. He also enjoyed fishing and fly fishing and liked to tie his own fly fishing lures. Glenn was also an avid Chicago Cubs and Green Bay Packer fan. Having played baseball in his early years and being a Champion softball pitcher with Bill Cox’s Loggers and the Over 45 League in Phlox, he eventually retired from baseball so he could take his wife to the lake on humid Sunday afternoons. Glenn was an accomplished woodcarver. He carved the processional crucifix for the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and has two of his carved wood decoy ducks on display at the White House. Glenn was a member of the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, the Lion’s Club, Wood Carvers Association, Veterans of Korean War, and was a former Boy Scout. Through his involvement in the community, church, and tribe, Glenn touched the lives of many and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Glenn is survived by: his wife, Eldora; children, Joseph (Lisa) Besaw of Keshena, Gary Besaw of Keshena, Kelly Besaw of Neopit, Carolyn Besaw of Keshena, Leah (John) Besaw of Neopit, Linea (Burton) Arthur of Keshena, Kateri (Bart) Besaw of Neopit; 16 grandchildren, Joshua (Lindsay) Besaw, Lori & Joseph Besaw, Deidre (Jarrod) Wolfe, Aaron, Luke, Kara & Melissa Besaw, Kelsey (Al) Waupoose, David (Katie) Coliadis, Marie Miller, Corryn & Gabriel Arthur, and Heather, Glenn and Delson Pero; many great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews including special nieces, Diane Shooter and Marci Besaw.

Glenn was preceded in death by: his daughter, Darnell Askenette; his grandson, Glenn Fowler; his parents; a brother, Erwin Besaw, Sr.; and a sister, Delores Field.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm on Monday, June 11, 2012 at the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Neopit with the Rev. Robert Rank officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with Military Rites conducted by the Veterans of the Menominee Nation and the Menominee American Legion Post #497. Visitation will be held at the Neopit Community Center after 7pm on Saturday until the time of the service on Monday. A Parish Wake Service will be held at the community center at 7pm on Sunday. Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano is assisting the family with the arrangements.
www.swedbergfuneralhome.com

Funeral

Monday June 11, 2012, 2:00 - p.m. at St. Anthony's Catholic Church
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Visitation

Saturday June 9, 2012, 7:00p.m. - time of service at Neopit Community Center
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