Obituary: Bremner, Ralph Gordon
He grew up with his two sisters, Mary (Helen) and Lillian and two brothers, Arthur and Fred on “the ranch” near Curlew Lake in sight of Mount Elizabeth.
The siblings remained in Republic for the most part, and enjoyed each other’s families, food and much laughter.
Rowdy attended Republic schools and enjoyed all sports.
According to one niece, “Uncle Rowdy still holds the record for the longest punt in the history of Republic schools.”
Rowdy served his country in the Navy, the only time he did not live in Republic.
Anyone who encountered him on his years of daily walks around town will remember, “Rowdy Bremner, from Republic, lived here all my life.”
Despite the fact that his mother objected to nick names.
Ralph was Rowdy by the time he met and married Marianne Walter, also of Republic, in February of 1952.
The report of the wedding contained the opinion that this was “the joining of two pioneer families of Republic.”
In this union he gained in-laws including eight wonderful sisters, their husbands that became friends (more hunting partners) and nieces and nephews he truly enjoyed.
Rowdy and Marianne had four daughters, Jane, Carla, Beth and Julie.
Rowdy worked at the San Poil mill and the Knob Hill Mine as a miner, and later as a hoist man.
He retired from the mine after more than 30 years.
Rowdy was active in the community, helping raise money for the stock car track, fighting fire with the volunteer fire department, serving on the cemetery board, he felt his membership with the American Legion was an honor and served as honor guard member on many occasions.
He and his sister Helen were universal blood donors, and would occasionally catch up with each other in the lobby of the hospital where they were called in emergencies to donate blood.
Rowdy also served as a school board member.
He enjoyed attending high school sports, girls or boys, family or not.
A family ritual was carried out with his nephews as the Bremner siblings would meet at the home of Helen and Clyde Fritts, mostly after home basketball games, where the dad and uncles would helpfully point out how the son’s or nephew’s performance could have been improved.
He continued to be a fixture at Tiger events, and traveled often to watch his grandchildren in sports, to Moscow, Idaho to watch Ken and Jake Windsor, to Kennewick to watch Jennifer and Kris Brown, and to Chewelah, WA to watch Kayla, Will and Emilee Lohman compete.
He enjoyed watching Kevin Stabenfeldt, Conor and Aaron Fritts as another generation of Republic Tigers.
After retirement Marianne and Rowdy enjoyed traveling with Marianne’s sister and husband, Katie and Bernie Richards, often visiting family along the route.
Rowdy was a member of the Colville Confederated Tribes thanks to his mother, and in retirement he became a member of the Indian Housing Authority, studying federal regulations as they applied to this position and traveling to various reservations around the United States.
Ralph continued his daily walks, confiding that sometimes, they were punctuated by sits.
He stopped by the former Community College and enjoyed visiting with the students.
He enjoyed visiting with everyone and children, teen agers and college students were no exception.
As he moved into his 90’s the walks got shorter, but his enjoyment in meeting and greeting people never stopped.
The number of times he must have said “Rowdy Bremner, from Republic, lived here all my life.”
was apparent at his 90th birthday party.
He was overwhelmed by the number of people who came to wish him happy birthday and how far many of them came.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Marianne of Republic, brother Fred of Republic, daughter Jane and husband David Risley, of Asotin, grandson Ken Windsor, wife Kim and great-grandchildren Lauryn, Haley and Alex of Moscow, Idaho; daughter Carla Bremner of Seattle; daughter Beth and husband Ken Brown of Kennewick, WA, granddaughter Jennifer of Boise, ID., and grandson Kris of Pasco, WA; and daughter Julie and Gerry Lohman of Chewelah, WA and grand- children Kayla and Emilee of Spokane and Will of Lincoln, NE.
Nieces and nephews; Sharon, David and Daryl, Allen, Kathy, Donna and Craig, Connie, Ron, Tricia and Jim and their spouses, children and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Helen and Lillian, brother Art, and grandson, Jacob Windsor.
Rowdy passed away peacefully at the Republic Hospital cared for by an amazing staff and surrounded by family on November 24th, 2014.
Donations can be made to the Republic Cemetery or charity of donor’s choice.
Funeral Mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 11:00 am (preceded by a Rosary 10:00 am) on Friday, November 28th, 2014, with burial following the service at the Republic Cemetery.
Lunch will be provided at the Parish Hall after burial.
BERGH FUNERAL SERVICE OF REPUBLIC IN CARE OF ARRANGEMENTS