Arthur “Norm” Femling, Pulaski, was surrounded by family and friends when he went home to be with the Lord on September 2nd, 2023, at age 91. He was born and raised in Nekoosa, Wisconsin on February 1, 1932, to Rae and Hester (Whitmore) Femling. Art grew up in Nekoosa and attended Nekoosa High, where he was a star football, baseball, and basketball player.
In high school he met the love of his life, Rosemary Grode; they married December 1st in 1951 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Nekoosa. Art entered the military service February 12, 1952 and spent time in Germany, and was honorably discharged in January of 1954. He also played football for the ARMY.
Following his military service he went to UW – La Crosse for Education and graduated in 1958, where he was named Little All American in football. He had a tryout in the NFL as a kicker. Shortly after college Art and Rosemary started a family and raised their seven children, often referred to as their own football team with a cheerleader.
For 35 years, Art enjoyed teaching middle and high school. He started in Gillett and then moved to the big city of Green Bay. In Green Bay, Art taught PE and Health at Washington Middle School and West High. He also coached his son Dean in JV sports at West High. In his summers, he continued teaching those young minds how to focus and stay safe on the roads as a driver’s education teacher at Southwest High School in Green Bay. During his working years he was passionate about coaching football, baseball, and basketball, where he became known as “the COACH of all things with a ball.” He retired from teaching and coaching in 1994 at age 62.
In addition to Art’s love of sports, he enjoyed hunting. Over the years, he raised and successfully trained his German Shorthaired Pointers to be field champions. He enjoyed watching the Packers, Brewers, and Badgers, as well as continuing to enjoy high school sports ALL THE TIME! He was a loyal fan to all televised sports. His personal time was spent with his family, grandchildren, and friends. Most of all he loved attending his family’s sporting events and deeply adored his grandchildren.
Art is survived by his sister, June Roberts and nephew, Lynn; his seven children: Dean of Sheboygan, Mark (Patti) of Howard, Joe (Karen), Suamico, Paul, Pulaski, Norm (Ann), Green Bay, Ann Cumbers (Chris), Suamico, and Bill, Green Bay; his grandchildren: Jeff Trumm (Tiffany), Kristen Buckau (James), Kari Fendrick (Luke), Cortney Gerbers (Bryant), Tyler Femling (Jade), Samantha Nasto (Zach), Emma and Evan Cumbers; great grandchildren: Mason Trumm, Peyton Buckau, Julia and Matthew Fendrick, Gavin and Skyler Gerbers, Guiliana, Rayne & Rome Nasto.
Friends are invited to gather with family at Marnocha Funeral Home, 186 E Pulaski St., Pulaski on Wednesday, September 13th, from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm. The funeral services will be held at 6:00 pm. with Fr. David Kobak, O.F.M. officiating. Military honors rendered by the Pulaski Area Veterans will follow. Entombment will take place in the Shrine of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum, Green Bay.
The family extends a special thanks to the Unity hospice Team in De Pere for your constant care and compassion.
To leave a condolence for Art’s family, please visit www.marnochafuneralhome.com or the Marnocha Funeral Home Facebook page.