Dr. John E Dettmann

Dr. John E. Dettmann, 98, Allouez, passed away on Thursday, July 28, 2016 with his family at his side. The son of the late Ernst and Marie (Frambs) Dettmann was born on June 2, 1918 in Rock Springs, WI. He married his beloved Evelyn Odell on June 22, 1940 in Baraboo, who preceded him in death in 2006. John graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1940 with a Ph.B. and in 1943 he earned his B.S. from Pharmacy school. John continued his education at the University of Louisville Medical School earning his M.D. in 1946 where he also served as the President of Alpha Omega Alpha Louisville Chapter from 1945-1946. John served his medical internship and residency at Milwaukee County Hospital from 1946-1947. After completing his medical residency, John joined the United States Air Force serving as the Chief of Medicine at the Smoky Hill Air Force Base for two years. John then practiced medicine in Edinburg, Indiana and Brillion, Wisconsin before moving to Green Bay in 1952. John was one of the founding physicians of the Deckner Medical Center where he practiced until he retired in 1984. John was an active member of our community serving as a staff member of Bellin, St. Vincent and St. Mary’s Hospitals and was a past President of Bellin Memorial Hospital. John served as the President of the Brown County Medical Society and was the President of the State Medical Society of Wisconsin as well as a Delegate to the A.M.A. John was a member of the Board of Trustees of Interstate Post Graduate Medical Association from 1981 until the mandatory retirement age of 76. He also served as a member of the Editorial Board of Post Graduate medicine until the mandatory retirement age of 86. John is survived by his children: Mary Lynn (Leigh) Barnes; Janet (Ron) Myers; Julie (Rob) Adams; a grandson, John (Jennifer) Barnes; two great-granddaughters: Emily and Ashley. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, and special cousin Rev. Reginald Pope and his family. Family and friends may visit at Grace Lutheran Church, 321 S. Madison St, Green Bay, on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 from 10:00am until 10:45am. The Funeral Service for John will be celebrated at 11:00am with Pastor Julie Wrubbel-Lange, officiating. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery with full Military Honors. Cotter Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotterfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established. We would like to thank the friends that visited Dad during his stay at Angel’s Touch. Also a thank you to Kevin from Home Instead. We would also like to send a special heartfelt thank you to his faithful companion and loving caregiver Tim from Home Instead. Our sincere appreciation to Sheila, Julie, Amanda, Tanya, and the entire staff at Angels Touch for their kind and compassionate care of Dad. Lastly, a thank-you to the kind and caring people from Heartland Hospice. Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Doctor to many, friend to all, two words can describe John Dettmann accurately: humility and compassion. Over his 98 years, Dad met no one that he did not try to befriend. During his long medical career, he cared for many people, some from childbirth to long into their adulthood. He called everybody his friend and never spoke badly of anyone. He was loved by all, and at the announcement of his retirement, many of his patients cried tears of disbelief and sadness. In the last couple years of his life at Angel’s Touch Assisted Living, when dementia had eroded his ability to clearly think or speak, he often held people’s hands, the staff’s as well as the resident’s. He wanted them to know that somebody cared. Yes, he was that kind of person.