Austen vonKaas Bemis, 43, of Sheboygan, passed away on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at his home. He was an incredibly kind, unassuming, and generous person, and he will be remembered lovingly by all those who knew him. Austen always had a smile to share and loved those in his life fully and without judgment.
He was born on November 26, 1980, in Sheboygan, the son of Richard and Kristin (Jacobson) Bemis. After graduating from Sheboygan South High School, he went on to get a degree in geography from the University of Vermont in Burlington.
As a child he played soccer, hockey, and was an Eagle Scout. Austen had a passion for music and was happiest and most at ease jamming with friends. He was an accomplished musician and played bass with the band Wake Up, both on their albums and on tour. The band recorded and produced albums under their own record label. He was an avid downhill skier, kayaker, and cyclist. Austen had a strong sense of wanderlust which took him on long road trips throughout the United States and adventures to Africa. In 2013 he cycled the Underground Railroad Bicycle Route from Mobile, Alabama to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He found solace and peace in nature, often disappearing for hours on a kayak and returning with stunning photographs of his sights. Austen enjoyed working with his hands creating stained-glass art, joining his dad in his woodworking studio and his mom in the garden.
Austen actively supported the local Sheboygan community, through both volunteering and donations. He funded and helped build a Habitat for Humanity home in Sheboygan County. He was generous with his time, talent, and treasure. He worked on countless projects at Nourish Farms to support their mission, helped to fund the Sheboygan County Humane Society expansion, and most recently a project through the Sailing Education Association of Sheboygan.
Austen was a playful and engaged uncle who was always free to throw a frisbee, kick a soccer ball, or just be silly with his nephews and nieces. Austen loved his family’s annual reunion in northern Wisconsin. He and his guitar will be sorely missed around the s’mores campfire this year.
Austen is survived by his parents, Richard and Kristin Bemis, of Sheboygan, his five siblings, and eleven nieces and nephews; Jason (Heidi) Bemis, of Sheboygan, and their children, Lauren, Joseph, and Sarah; Vesla (Kenny) Hoeschen, of Milwaukee, and their children, Rory and Eleanor; Erin Bemis (Lucas Henning) of Madison, and their child Max; Brynn Bemis (Finn Ryan) of Madison, and their children, Felix and Espen; Elli Bemis (Kelvin Wu), of Jackson, Wyoming, and their children, Soleil, Neve, and Kai.
A private family service will take place with inurnment at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been set up at Camp Y Koda and Nourish Farms.
The Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Austen’s arrangements.
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