2001 Senate Joint Resolution 39
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: the life and public service of Ernest C. Keppler.
Whereas, Ernest C. Keppler was born on April 5, 1918, in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and died on May 23, 2001; and
Whereas, he graduated from Sheboygan High School in 1935; and
Whereas, Mr. Keppler married Bertha L. Zurheide on October 21, 1939; and
Whereas, he served his country with the U.S. Army during World War II in the Pacific Theater of Operations, attaining the rank of first sergeant, and served again during the Korean Conflict in the Judge Advocate Law Office at Fort McCoy; and
Whereas, following World War II, Mr. Keppler returned to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he received his law degree in January of 1950; and
Whereas, he began his government career as an alderman on the Sheboygan City Council from 1941 to 1945 and 1952 to 1953, and then served as assistant district attorney in 1953 and 1954 for Sheboygan County and as Sheboygan city-county civil defense director from 1956 to 1961; and
Whereas, Mr. Keppler was first elected to the Wisconsin assembly in 1942 and served in the 1943 session; and
Whereas, he was subsequently elected to the Wisconsin senate in 1960 and served until 1979; and
Whereas, during his tenure in the senate, Mr. Keppler served as vice president of the senate during the 1973 session, senate majority leader during the 1969 and 1971 sessions, and senate republican caucus chairperson during the 1967 session; and
Whereas, in 1979, Mr. Keppler was elected circuit court judge for Sheboygan County, Branch 1, and served in that capacity for 6 years; and
Whereas, after his retirement in 1985, Mr. Keppler served as a reserve judge until his death; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature commend the devoted public service that Ernest C. Keppler contributed to this state and his community, express their sorrow at his death, and extend their condolences to his family and friends; and, be it further
Resolved, That the senate chief clerk shall provide copies of this joint resolution to Mr. Keppler's wife, Bertha, to his daughter, Mary Schmidt of Alpharetta, Georgia, and to his son, E. Michael Keppler of Sheboygan.
