George R. Brewer, age 99, passed away January 17th at Burnett Medical Center/Continuing Care Center (CCC) in Grantsburg, Wisconsin.

He was born February 20, 1922, to Corliss and Ina (Wratislaw) Brewer in Vinton, Iowa, graduating from Vinton High School in 1941. In 1942 he responded to an advertisement by the Federal Bureau of Investigation which was bolstering its ranks due to the War. George was initially assigned the Fingerprint Division but was reassigned to a precursor of the Office of Strategic Services division in Bolivia, South America to monitor German navy communications. While in this position he quickly became a prolific Morse Code operator, relaying intercepted messages by German U-boats operating in the southern hemisphere. In late 1943 George was again reassigned to the San Diego, California field office as a Special Agent where he married his high school sweetheart Mildred (Skoog) in April 1944. George was again transferred to the Milwaukee Field Office in 1947 where he remained until his retirement in 1977 after a 35-year career. During his Milwaukee tenure he also received a two-year Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree in 1955 from LaSalle University.

George and Mildred initially remained in Milwaukee following his retirement from the FBI however, they soon began to experience living in several areas of the U.S. (Arizona, New Mexico, North Carolina) before establishing themselves in Albuquerque, N.M. in 1982 when they moved to Grantsburg, Wisconsin in 2012 to be nearby their daughter Kristie.

He was a gifted and prolific musician with an ability to play favorite songs by listening to them or from memory without the advantage of sheet music. He mastered a wide range of brass instruments and later self-taught himself to play both the piano and organ as well. He pursued his love for playing music as a longstanding member of the Shriner’s band in Milwaukee. George applied his earlier gained radio operator experience from Bolivia becoming an avid amateur HAM operator from his home with the call sign of, The White Owl.

George entered the Burnett Medical Center/Continuing Care Center in 2018 until his passing. He greatly appreciated the care by its staff often remarking, “they really know how to give out the TLC and excellent coffee and cookies”. While there he developed special bonds with the care staff and became well known as a “cookie monster” with his special stashes for on-call snacking.

George is survived by his wife Mildred (Millie) of 77 years, son Craig and daughter Kristie, granddaughters Koreen Bensemann, Charlotte Johnston, Cindy Brewer-Perry, great grandsons Jon, Raymond, Jacob and Samuel Bensemann.

Services will be determined at a later date. George expressed his wishes to have donations made to the Burnett Medical Center Foundation, Grantsburg Library or Grantsburg Faith Lutheran Church.

Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Grantsburg.

Last Update: Jan 22, 2022 8:13 pm CST