Glenn Edward Ashenbrenner, age 90 of Shawano, passed away Saturday, January 5, 2013 at a nursing home in Embarrass. Born on November 2, 1922 in Leopolis, he was the son of the late Matt and Anna (Kristoff) Ashenbrenner. Glenn played high school basketball in Leopolis and Marion where he graduated in 1941. During World War II, he helped operate the family farm and also worked on several other farms in the area. On October 26, 1946 he was united in marriage to Vilese Sabrowsky in Tigerton. In 1948 the couple lived in the Milwaukee area where Glenn painted Nash Automobiles and worked as a foreman at Peck Meat Packing where he was a leader in promoting civil rights for minority workers. In 1958 the couple returned to the Shawano area where they operated The Shawano County Park Pavilion until retiring in 1985. They were the first to bring live rock-n-roll bands to Shawano County on a regular basis. In his later years, Glenn drove school bus for Grosskopf Bus Company. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and was active in the Knight of Columbus. He was also a charter member of the Shawano Lake Lions and was the first president in 1961. Glenn served on the Shawano County Board and was on the Zoning Appeals Board for several years. He was a kind hearted man who enjoyed sharing a humorous story. Glenn is survived by: his son, Tom (Susan Anderson) Ashenbrenner of East Dubuque, IL; a daughter, Sharon (Gary) Charles of Minneapolis, MN; and 2 grandchildren, Andrea and Justin Charles. Glenn was preceded in death by: his wife, Vilese on August 20, 1984; and 11 brothers and sisters. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at the Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano with the Father Len Evers officiating. Entombment will be in the Sacred Heart Mausoleum. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Saturday starting at 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service. A special thank you to the staffs at Oak Haven, Shawano Medical Center, Pine Manor Nursing Home and Shawano County Social Services for their compassion and care of Glenn. www.swedbergfuneralhome.com
