Alan R. Lemery

On December 8, 2006, Alan Lemery, Fond du Lac's "Music Man" touched the face of God as he died peacefully at home after a long and courageous battle with heart disease. At the time of his death his adoring wife of forty-seven years, Dorothy, and his loving family were at his side. Alan had a long fulfilling life of family, friends, and community all transcended by his love of music. He was born June 24, 1935, in Menominee, MI, the son of Raymond and Ila Parcel Lemery. On August 22, 1959, he married Dorothy Lison at Trinity Lutheran Church in Green Bay. Alan's gift to music was brought on and encouraged by his parents. He was the first choir director at the new Bethany Methodist Church in Green Bay at the age of seventeen. He conducted choirs at Covenant Methodist Church in Fond du Lac for 31 years. Alan's youth was filled with many activities, sports and family, active in Boy Scouts, and was named State Master Counselor of DeMolay. He also served in the U.S. National Guard. Alan graduated from Green Bay West High School and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with a degree in Music Education. His first teaching job in Denmark, WI, included not only choral director, but also concert band and marching band. In 1963, he came to Fond du Lac's Goodrich School as director of choral activities, and continued there until his retirement in 1995. In his last performance evaluation, his supervisor said, Lem remains one of the finest choral directors and most dedicated teachers I have encountered at any level. In addition to touching the lives of countless high school students, he worked to enhance the arts in Fond du Lac through conducting the Women's Civic Chorus and the Men's Elks Chorus. He sang in and for 32 years conducted the Fond du Lac Oratorio Chorus. He was instrumental in bringing choral groups from all over the country to perform in Fond du Lac. In 1995, he co-founded the Fond du Lac Summer Sing-A-Long, which began as a one-year reunion for former students that lasted for ten years. Alan was an active Packer fan and season ticket holder. In retirement, he was able to travel with their special friends Alida and Lee Sivil, and spend time with family and friends. Alan is survived by his wife, Dorothy, four children, Tom (Special Friend Sherri Rudkin) Lemery of Janesville, WI, Betsy (Steve) Hedberg of Neenah, WI, David Lemery of Ripon, WI, and Carrie Lemery of Fond du Lac. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Sarah, Emily, Vincent, and Michael, who loved their grandpa very much. He is further survived by his mother, Ila Lemery of Green Bay, three brothers, Dale (Bettie) Lemery of Arkansas, Gary (Mary) Lemery of Suring, WI, and Bruce (Liz) Lemery of Green Bay, and a sister, Becky (Paul ) Covi of Green Bay, many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. His father, father-in-law, Bernard Lison, and many special friends and family preceded him in death. In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund will be established at the Fond du Lac High School for students pursuing degrees in choral music education.



A private family memorial service will be held at Covenant United Methodist Church. A public memorial service will be held at the Cathedral of St. Paul 51 W. Division St. Fond du Lac, WI. at 2:00 PM on Sunday, December 17th. The Very Rev. Theodore McConnell and Rev. Paul Armstrong will officiate. Cremation has taken place. Uecker-Witt Funeral Home is serving the family. Additional information and guest book may be found at www.ueckerwitt.comA special thanks to "Dr." Ruth Cunzenheim and to the staff of Agnesian Hospice.