Wilbur Brewer

A. Wilbur Brewer, 91, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Saturday, July 11, 2009 at the Pioneer Retirement Community in Fergus Falls. He was born February 27, 1918, in Licking County, Peerton, Ohio, the son of Augustus W. and Lillian M. (Kemper) Brewer. He attended grade school in Lickingview, Trinway, and Dresden in Muskingum County, and also the Munson School in Zanesville, Ohio. He then attended Jefferson High School for one year in Dresden, and graduated from Lash High School in Zanesville in 1936. From 1937 to 1938 he attended Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Ohio State University and his Master’s Degree from Western Washington State College. He earned his Doctorate of Education from Washington State University at Pullman. Wilbur taught on Vashon Island, Puget Sound, Washington, in the public school from 1949 to 1952. On July 20, 1950, he married Borghild G. Moen at the University Unitarian Church in Seattle, Washington. He was administrator and taught in the Tacoma Public Schools from 1952 to 1965. From 1965 to 1978 Wilbur served on the faculty of St. Cloud State University, and from 1968 to 1969 he was director of Project Share. He was director of the Teacher Corp Project which he wrote and piloted along with Borghild. In addition, he served on numerous committees within the School of Education, as well as on the curriculum committee and the college student retention committee. He retired with the rank of full professor in 1978. The couple enjoyed traveling to Washington, Texas, Ohio, and Norway to visit relatives. They moved to Fergus Falls where they resided at the Mill Street Residence. He was a member of the Tacoma Unitarian Church where he served on the church council and volunteered during their new church building project. He was currently a member of the Unitarian Church of Underwood. Wilbur also served on the board of the Central Minnesota Council on Aging, was an instructor for 55 Alive, served on the advisory council and was president of the Whitney, MN Senior Center where he was a member for 12 years. In 1996 Wilbur and Borghild provided an endowment for the center. They served on the St. Cloud Park Board, the Library Board, and helped organize the Southeast Citizens Group. He was a member of the Sons of Norway, Trollheim Lodge #511. Wilbur and Borghild were chosen members of the year in 1990. He was also a member of Phi Delta Kappa and Kappa Delta Pi, and was a life member of the NEA. He was a past president of the retired educators of central Minnesota. Wilbur also served on the Family Council for the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls. Preceding him in death were his parents, Augustus on July 2, 1976, and Lillian on November 7, 1972; his wife, Borghild, on January 10, 2004; and a brother, David Brewer. He is survived by three nephews, Glenn (Gail) Bjornstad of Fargo, N.D., Jerry (Sue) Brewer of Medina, Ohio and David Brewer of California; and three nieces, Norma (Leslie) Shirley of Rothsay and Janice (Marlowe) Peterson of Minneapolis and Michel Brewer of Medina, Ohio. Memorials are preferred to the A. Wilbur and Borghild Brewer Teacher Development Scholarship Program at St. Cloud State University. Visitation:  5-7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral Service:   10 a.m. Friday, July 17, 2009 at the Unitarian Church, Underwood, Minnesota Clergy:   Pastor Robert Worner Interment:   Lakeview Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Underwood, Minnesota Funeral Home:   Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com