John M. Trempe, 68, of Wausau, passed away on Monday, August 31, 2026. He was born on October 3, 1957, to the late Charles and Marguerite (Stachoviak) Trempe, in Wausau, Wisconsin.

John was a 1976 graduate of Wausau East High School. He attended NTC's welding and autobody programs. In 1984 he married Jean (Jauernig) Trempe.

Prior to retirement, John spent 38 years with Wausau Tile in various roles. He started as a welder, moved to shipping, becoming a certified concrete tester and ended his career running the stockroom.

A jack of all trades, John maintained his rental properties, installed new kitchens and bathrooms, doing most of the work himself. He was always there to lend a hand, building garages for family and friends and assisting in remodeling projects, including remodeling his home. He lent a hand to his father-in-law Rudy, helping with farm chores.

John was a car enthusiast. The garage was a busy place as he worked on his 1965 Rambler convertible or his 1972 Javelin AMX. He loved attending car shows and won numerous trophies over the years. He was a member of the Wisconsin Road Knights, the American Motors Owners Association, and the Mad City Ramblers car clubs.

John was a member of Pilgrim Lutheran Church, serving on the buildings and grounds committee for many years.

John loved to travel, especially to history sites or for car parts. There were several trips to Europe including the beaches of Normandy. John visited Washington D.C. with his father-in-law as they participated in the Honor Flight. There were the trips to Florida each winter and summer vacations with the children.

Above all, John loved spending time with his family. Taking the boat out and pulling the kids around a lake was one of his favorite pastimes. He always looked forward to the annual camping trip and long weekends up north with the grandkids. There were the holiday gatherings with the whole Trempe clan.

John is survived by his wife of 42 years, Jean Trempe; his children, Rachel (Frank) Simac, and Lindsey (Matthew) Koski; grandchildren, Violet, James John, Benjamin, Ian and Kate; sisters, Charlene Knippel, Mary (Kevin) Hausler, Lori Normand and Melody (Todd Hoerth)

Trempe-DeRuyter; brother, James (Betty) Trempe; as well as many nephews and nieces, other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Marguerite Trempe; and his brother, David Trempe; brothers-in-laws, Peter Knippel, and Charles Normand.

A memorial service will take place at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 709 Weston Avenue in Wausau, on John's first heavenly birthday, October 3, 2026, at 11:00 am. A visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 am until the time of services.  A burial will take place at Pine Grove Cemetery at 1:00 pm, the same day. All are welcome to wear a Hawaiian shirt in John's honor.

The family would like to thank all those who helped John along his final journey including the staff at The Medical College of Wisconsin ALS Clinic at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, the various doctors, nurses, therapists and caregivers and all of the friends and especially family members. Thank you all for your help, for visiting, for your prayers, and cards.

In lieu of flowers the family asked that donations be made to the NTC Foundation - Charles and Marguerite Trempe Scholarship Fund, Team Gleason Foundation, ALS Association, or St. Stephen Lutheran Church.  Links to these foundations are listed below.  

https://teamgleason.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate

https://www.als.org/