News & Notes

MARCH 2, 2025 – Abbot Emeritus Jerome G. Tremel, O. Praem., age 95, a Norbertine priest and member of St. Norbert Abbey, De Pere, WI, passed into God’s eternal Kingdom on March 2, 2025.

Abbot Tremel was born on September 12, 1929 in Luxemburg, WI to the late John and Clothilda (Rueckl) Tremel, the oldest of the family’s three boys. In 1935, the Tremel family moved to the northeast side of Green Bay after purchasing a grocery store. They became parishioners of Ss. Peter and Paul Parish. Together with his brothers, he enjoyed fishing, camping, and canoeing trips – especially special to Jerome were the several trips made to the Boundary Waters in Northern Minnesota.

It was when he entered Central Catholic High School in Green Bay that he met some Norbertine priests who were his teachers. He was very impressed about how they all got along with each other and that there was a camaraderie among them.

During his senior year in high school, Jerome accepted an invitation to visit the Norbertine novitiate in Madison, WI, and then another invitation to meet Abbot Bernard Pennings. He entered the novitiate of St. Norbert Abbey on August 28, 1947. While attending St. Norbert College in De Pere, he professed Simple Vows on August 28, 1949. The following year, he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy from St. Norbert College. On August 28, 1952, he professed Solemn Vows. While studying theology at St. Norbert Abbey, he also taught mathematics part-time at St. Norbert High School.

He was ordained to the Priesthood on June 12, 1954 and continued teaching mathematics and physics at Premontre High School (currently Notre Dame Academy) for five years. He went on to study at Purdue University where he earned both a Master of Science degree in 1959 and a Ph.D. in Mathematics Education in 1963.

Following his time at Purdue, Fr. Tremel joined the faculty of St. Norbert College. His six-year tenure as Math Professor and Chair of the Mathematics Department was interrupted in 1969 when he was elected Coadjutor Abbot of St. Norbert Abbey at the age of 39.

He took office as the third Abbot of St. Norbert Abbey on January 6, 1970, a position he held for twelve years. During his tenure as Abbot, he helped realize the renewal of the Second Vatican Council, guided the community to become more collegial in its governing structures, and secured the future of the community and the college through various financial endeavors.

Abbot Tremel became active in the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM) in the United States, serving as Chair of the Midwest Region of the Conference for two years and on the Executive Board of CMSM for five years. Although elected for a life-term as Abbot, in 1982 he received permission to resign from the Office of Abbot.

Following his abbatial tenure, Abbot Tremel studied Spiritual Theology at the Institute for Spirituality and Worship at the Jesuit School in Berkeley, CA. He was then assigned as Associate Director of Formation and House Superior at Holy Spirit House of Studies in Chicago, IL.

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.

Abbot Tremel was an influential figure in the Norbertine Order internationally. He was a member of the Definitory (councilor to the Abbot General) of the Norbertine Order from 1976 to 1982.

Additionally, he was tasked to be the Moderator of the General Sessions of the General Chapter of the Norbertine Order in 1994 and again in 2000. At the same time, he was also Vicar for the English-speaking Norbertines from the United States, England, Ireland, India, Australia, and South America. In January of 1995, he was appointed by the Abbot General as Administrator of Daylesford Abbey in Paoli, PA with a mandate to lead the community through a time of transition. In this process, he was an agent of hope and reconciliation for the confreres of Daylesford Abbey.

Abbot Tremel was elected to the Board of Trustees of St. Norbert College and served for sixteen years. He served as Chairman of the Board from 1995 until 1999 when he was named a Trustee Emeritus.

Known to many, Abbot Tremel’s “happy place” was at the cabin at Morgan Lake in Florence County, WI, where he served for many years as the caretaker of the property. Besides the northwoods, he was a long time 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 Celebration of Vespers of the Dead (Evening Prayer) will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 20 with Visitation in the Chapter Room of St. Norbert Abbey following until 8:30 p.m. On Friday, March 21, Lauds of the Dead (Morning Prayer) will take place at 7:30 a.m. followed by Visitation until the Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:30 a.m. expressing our faith and hope in the promised glory of the Lord’s Resurrection. The Rt. Rev. Dane J. Radecki, O. Praem., Abbot of St. Norbert Abbey, will be the principal celebrant.

Burial will be in St. Norbert Abbey Cemetery at a later date.

The Norbertine Community would like to thank the nurses at St. Norbert Abbey who cared so well for Abbot Tremel.

Ryan Funeral Home, De Pere, is in charge of the arrangements..