Wilbur Hemme

Wilbur Gene Hemme, son of Eldo Detlef Hemme and Hazel Darlene Schuetts, was born on July 7, 1939, in LuVerne, MN, and passed away at Chelsea Place in Aurora, CO, at 3:11 p.m., on April 7, 2024.

Wilbur graduated from Pipestone High School in 1958. He received his call to the U.S. Army on October 8, 1958, where he served for three years in Colorado Springs and Germany. Prior to serving his country, Wilbur worked on the family farm in Elmer Township, Pipestone County, MN, and after he returned from military service, he was employed at Red Owl grocery store in Minneapolis, MN.

On September 16, 1962, Wilbur and Esther Jean Wacker were united in marriage in Waukon, IA. Wilbur and Esther established their home in Richfield, MN, where their two sons were born, Gregory Wilbur Hemme, on May 31, 1966, and Eric John Hemme, on April 13, 1968. In 1972, the family moved to Burnsville, MN, where they resided for five years. In 1977, the family moved to Zumbrota, MN, where Wilbur and Esther bought and managed a Super Value grocery store. Wilbur and Esther divorced in 1983, and Wilbur then moved to Colorado where he was employed by Roadway Trucking Co. until his retirement in 2004.

Wilbur and Nan L. McFadden Hemme were united in marriage on February 1, 2010, in Carmel, CA, and they resided in Aurora, CO, until his death.

Wilbur had many interests, among them traveling, thrift store shopping, car racing, woodworking, participating in his grandchildren's activities, and collecting antiques. He was actively involved in volunteering and helping to raise funds for Cops Fighting Cancer because his grandson Derek had a multiple year battle with cancer. He was there to support Derek every step of the way to recovery. Wilbur also volunteered as a greeter with Nan at their church, Colorado Community Church, in Aurora, CO.

Those who survive to mourn his passing are his wife Nan Hemme of Aurora, CO; two sons Gregory Hemme (Christian Albert) of Berlin, Germany, and Eric Hemme of Victoria, MN; four step children, Kara (Mark) Harper, of Erie, CO, Keilly (Brandon) Lucas of Treasure Island, FL, Kale (Nicki) Johnston of Aurora, CO, and Kolin (Ashley) Johnston of Aurora, CO; his brother Roger Hemme of Lancaster, CA; his brother-in-law Chris McFadden of San Diego, CA, and nine grandchildren, Taylor Hemme, Connor Hemme, Cameron Farneti, Acacia Harper, Jordan Harper, Derek Johnston, Kadence Harper, Tayvin Johnston, and Jeppesen Lucas; along with many other relatives and friends. Wilbur was preceded in death by his father Eldo Hemme and mother Hazel Hemme, one sister, Jerene Milliken, and two brothers, James Hemme and Leon Hemme.

A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, May 5, 2024, 2:00 p.m., at Newcomer Funeral Home, East Metro Chapel, 190 Potomac Street, Aurora, CO 80011, with Mark and Kara Harper officiating. The service will also be streamed live, and the link can be found on the Newcomers website. A private U.S. Army interment ceremony will be held for the family on Monday, May 6, 2024, at Ft. Logan National Cemetery, Denver, CO. The family requests no flowers. Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, at alz.org.


Wilbur's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click here to view the service.