By Maria Foss | For On Mission
DE PERE – Norbertine Abbot Emeritus Jerome Tremel died on March 2. He was 95.
Abbot Tremel was born on Sept. 12, 1929, in Luxemburg, Wis., to the late John and Clothilda (Rueckl).
In 1935, the Tremel family moved to the northeast side of Green Bay after purchasing a grocery store and became parishioners at SS. Peter and Paul Parish.
Together with his two younger brothers, Abbot Tremel enjoyed fishing, camping and canoeing trips. He especially cherished several trips made to the Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota.
While attending Central Catholic High School in Green Bay, Abbot Tremel met several Norbertine priests who were his teachers. He was impressed by their camaraderie and how easily they got along.
During his senior year in high school, Abbot Tremel accepted an invitation to visit the Norbertine novitiate in Madison, Wis., followed by an invitation to meet Abbot Bernard Pennings.
He entered the novitiate of St. Norbert Abbey in De Pere on Aug. 28, 1947, and professed simple vows on Aug. 28, 1949, while attending St. Norbert College in De Pere. The following year, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from St. Norbert College.
Abbot Tremel professed his solemn vows on August 28, 1952.
While studying theology at St. Norbert Abbey, Abbot Tremel also taught mathematics part-time at St. Norbert High School in De Pere.
Abbot Tremel was ordained to the priesthood on June 12, 1954.
He continued teaching mathematics and physics at Premontre High School (currently Notre Dame Academy) for five years. Shortly after, he studied at Purdue University where he earned both a master’s degree in science in 1959 and a Ph.D. in mathematics education in 1963.
Following his time at Purdue University, Abbot Tremel joined the St. Norbert College faculty as a math professor and chair of the mathematics department. Although he had a six-year tenure, he was elected coadjutor abbot of St. Norbert Abbey in 1969 at the age of 39.
On Jan. 6, 1970, Abbot Tremel took office as the third abbot of St. Norbert Abbey. He held this position for 12 years, playing an influential role in shaping the governing structures and securing the future of the community and college.
He was also an active member of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM), serving as chair of the midwest region for two years and was on the executive board for five years.
Although elected for a life-term as abbot, Abbot Tremel received permission to resign from his office in 1982 and went on to study spiritual theology at the Institute for Spirituality and Worship at the Jesuit School in Berkeley, Calif. He was then assigned as associate director of dormation and house superior at Holy Spirit House of Studies in Chicago, Ill.
In 1989, Abbot Tremel moved back to St. Norbert Abbey and was involved in the Ministry and Life Center (currently the Norbertine Center for Spirituality), frequently offering retreats and workshops.
As an internationally influential figure in the Norbertine Order, Abbot Tremel also held roles in various areas, including as a member of the Definitory, moderator of the General Sessions of the General Chapter and vicar for English-speaking Norbertines from the United States, England, Ireland, India, Australia and South America.
In January 1995, he was appointed by the abbot general as administrator of Daylesford Abbey in Paoli, Pa.
He was a member of the board of trustees at St. Norbert College for 16 years and served as chairman of the board from 1995 to 1999 when he was named a trustee emeritus.
Abbot Tremel’s “happy place” was the cabin at Morgan Lake in Florence County, Wis., where he served as a caretaker of the property for many years.
He was also a longtime volunteer for a number of “Good News” teams, working for two weeks at a time on the islands of St. Vincent, Dominica and St. Lucia to build simple houses for those in need.
Abbot Tremel is survived by the Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey; two sisters-in-law, Jean Tremel and Marian Tremel; and many nieces and nephews.
Abbot Tremel was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Donald and Francis Tremel.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, March 21, at 10:30 a.m. with Rt. Rev. Dane J. Radecki as principal celebrant.
Burial will be in St. Norbert Abbey Cemetery at a later date.