Emmet H. Weber

Emmet H. Weber, age 98 of De Pere, passed away peacefully in the loving arms of Ruth, his wife of fifty-two years, on Sunday, April 14, 2024.

The son of Joseph and Genevieve (Moran) Weber he was born in Appleton, Wisconsin, on April 3, 1926. Emmet recognized a calling to serve others early in life. He was ordained as a Catholic priest and ministered in the Green Bay area for twenty-three years. During his priesthood, he pursued academic excellence, earning a Bachelor’s degree, two Master's degrees, and a pilot’s license. Known for his joy for life, he cherished his role as an uncle, doting on his nieces and nephews, and teaching them and others the joy of water skiing.

After receiving permission from Rome, Emmet was laicized in 1971. He was then united in marriage to his beloved wife, Ruth P. Tappa, on Dec. 26, 1971, at Old St. Joseph Catholic Church in De Pere. Within their first five years of marriage, Ruth and Emmet had three children and Emmet earned a PhD in Education Administration. Emmet had a deep sense of gratitude for his faith and family, a boisterous laugh and a quiet sense of humor that accompanied a deep and intentional zest for life. He taught at Sacred Heart Seminary in Oneida, at St. Norbert College in De Pere and was the principal at Claremont High School in Minnesota. While raising his children, he served the School District of Beaver Dam, including as principal of the Junior High, the Senior High, and Assistant Superintendent. In supposed “retirement” Emmet became a City of Beaver Dam Alderperson as well as a Dodge County Supervisor. Already well into his 70s he briefly emerged from retirement to become the principal of Mayville High School serving in an interim role during their time of need.

Emmet loved to attend church, to camp, and to travel with his family. He was a voracious reader, always faithful in his prayers, and took great joy in daily exercise and showing gratitude towards others, even after dementia began to appear. Still going into the swimming pool at 98, and even if all other words failed him, he never forgot how to smile and say “Thank You”. He showed others his faith by how he served and lived, always with his wife tenderly by his side. Emmet and Ruth had an extraordinary marriage. Their deep devotion and love for one another was an example for all who knew them.

Emmet was self-conscious of the small space between his two front teeth, but his enormous, infectious smile often grew so big that it could not be hidden. If you ever were so lucky as to be held in his strong hand, you knew what it was like to be raised up. He shared his love freely with not just his family but also his community, building relationships, leading countless youth groups including the boy scouts where he’d earned an Eagle Scout as a young man, and building Kiwanis clubs becoming Lt. Governor, serving and sharing throughout his life. As the Kiwanians say, Smile and the World Smiles with You, Sing a Song!

Survivors include his wife Ruth, his children: Joseph Weber, Stillwater, MN; David (Laura) Weber, De Pere, WI; Dorothy (Scott) Paler, Middleton, WI; grandchildren: Emma, Andrew, Timothy, Henry, Leo, Emmet, Lucy, and Maggie. Other close family include Terry Weber, Mary Ellen Lamm, Levonne Tappa, Larry Tappa and many nieces and nephews. Emmet was preceded in death by his parents as well his sister, Lucille, and his brothers, Tom, Robert, and Kenneth Weber. We rejoice knowing he is reunited with his family, and so many others that he loved so deeply.

Finally, the family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the caregivers from Home Instead and Unity Hospice for all their considerable help.

Family and friends may gather on Friday, April 26, 2024 beginning at 9:30 am at Resurrection Catholic Church 333 Hilltop Dr., Green Bay with the Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Resurrection Catholic Parish or to the YMCA of Greater Green Bay, both of whom served Emmet with all kindness.