Estelle M. Bruemmer, 95, of Hillsboro, died on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025.
A memorial visitation will be held Monday, Dec. 22, from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Hillsboro. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at the church Tuesday, Dec. 23, at 10 a.m., with rite of committal and burial to follow at St. Agnes Catholic Cemetery. Hough-Dean Funeral Home in Hillsboro is assisting the family.
Mrs. Bruemmer was born in Carlyle on Dec. 19, 1929, to Joseph and Lucille (Schneider) Krebs. She lost her father at the age of four on Christmas Day, but it never dulled her deep love for the holiday. Decorating her home for Christmas brought her great joy. Besides displaying her extensive collection of Father Christmas figures, Estelle would meticulously trim a white pine from the family property, then carefully give the nativity crib pride of place beneath it.
Mrs. Bruemmer was a devout Catholic and a faithful member of St. Agnes Parish in Hillsboro, where she served in the Altar and Rosary Society.
Mrs. Bruemmer worked for Clinton County Oil Company of Breese until meeting the love of her life, Bill Bruemmer of Carlyle. They married in 1961 and moved to Hillsboro. Their eventual home on Country Ln. was Estelle’s ideal of beauty and welcome. She never tired of the view from the back porch over the pond. Every glimpse of a deer elicited delight, as well as each new bloom of the daffodils and dogwoods, burst of fall color and newly fallen cloak of snow.
Mrs. Bruemmer earned her bachelor’s degrees in business and education from McKendree College and a master’s degree in education from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. She taught third grade for 29 years in Hillsboro, first at Burbank School, then at Beckemeyer School.
Mrs. Bruemmer loved Hillsboro. She was active in a local bridge club, book club, Hillsboro Country Club, and the P.E.O. Sisterhood. She also took a great interest in antiques and history, especially anything about Abraham Lincoln and Laura Ingalls Wilder. And she adored her dachshunds, Ginger and Penny.
Mrs. Bruemmer relished travel, particularly if she could learn something along the way. A trip to Williamsburg sparked a dinner party that prompted friends to lifelong interest in colonial Virginia. Her visit to the Holy Land enriched her faith and informed the rest of her life.
Mrs. Bruemmer was preceded in death by her husband Bill; daughter, Julia Bruemmer Long; parents, Joseph and Lucille Krebs; and brother, Don Krebs.
She is survived by her sons, David (Dala) Bruemmer of Syracuse, IN, and Kevin (Kate) Bruemmer of Bloomington; son-in-law, Steve Long of Kirkwood, MO; and grandchildren, John “Jack” Bruemmer, Eliza Bruemmer and Josie Bruemmer, all of Bloomington.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Agnes Catholic Church or the Hillsboro Educational Foundation. Condolences may be addressed to David and Dala Bruemmer, 5397 Creekside Trail, Syracuse, IN 46567; Steve Long, 827 Kinyon Court, Kirkwood, MO 63122; and Kevin and Kate Bruemmer, 5301 Ferryman Road, Bloomington, IL 61705. To leave an online condolence or order flowers, please visit www.houghdeanfh.com.
