Ernest Broeniman's Memorial Service Video

Ernest "Ernie" Broeniman, age 86 of Hortonville, passed away on Thursday, August 18, 2022 at ThedaClark in Neenah.  Ernie was born in Burnett, WI on May 27, 1936, the son of the late Ernest A. and Helen (Fischer) Broeniman.  He earned his B.S. in music education at UW Oshkosh and M.A. at the University of Northern Colorado.  Starting in 1958, he served as the Instrumental Music Director at Wilson Junior High School, Manitowoc and then at Hortonville High School.  Ernie retired from Plymouth High School in 1993. In addition to his family, Ernie's greatest love was music.  He began his music career while in high school performing with his tuba in numerous Wisconsin Polka bands.  After college and while teaching, he also performed with various concert bands and symphony orchestras.  While teaching in Plymouth, Ernie started what might have been the very first High School German Band in Wisconsin.  After retirement, he organized the professional German Band Dorf Kapelle (Village Band).  In 2013 this musical organization celebrated 25 years as a professional and respected musical organization.  The band still performs throughout Wisconsin, under the leadership of son, Sam.  In 2006, by invitation, the band traveled and performed in Crivitz, Germany.  Ernie was also active in Wisconsin School of Music Association, by serving as adjudicator and clinician.  He was also the section leader/chairman of the Wisconsin State Honors Band.  As a member of Wisconsin Orchestra Leaders Association, he developed a grant to supply musical arrangements to music teachers to perform with their students and many current school Ethnic Music Ensembles in Wisconsin.  Ernie also enjoyed his travels including Germany, Austria and Switzerland and many others, to visit friends and family and to trade musical ideas and arrangements with different musical groups.

Ernie is survived by his wife, Suzan (Baehman) and three children, Barbara (Jerome) Limberg, Greenbush, WI, Samuel (Nora) Broeniman, Hortonville, WI and James (Claudia) Broeniman, Appleton, WI; grandchildren,  Matthew (Brandi) Limberg,  Suzan (Tyler) Hasheider, Elizabeth (Tom) Strahl, Abby (Brett) Kramer, Max (Marissa Miller) Broeniman, Alexandra (Alec) Palmer, Delaney Broeniman and Emma Broeniman and great-grandsons, Ryder Limberg, Harvey Kramer and awaiting a third great-grandson.

Ernie was preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law, Amie (Matson) Broeniman; in-laws, Wilbur and Nola Baehman and brother-in-law, Paul Baehman.

The Memorial Service for Ernie will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Greenville with Rev. Steve Kline officiating. The visitation will take place at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be in South Medina Cemetery, Medina.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Ernie Broeniman Scholarship Fund in Plymouth or The Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Greenville.