John Albert Thraen

John Albert Thraen, age 81, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, formerly of Elizabeth, Illinois, died on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital in Milwaukee. A Memorial gathering will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 20, 2019 at Law-Jones Funeral Home, Elizabeth, IL. Following the Memorial gathering, a Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. also at Law-Jones Funeral Home. Urn placement at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Elizabeth, IL following the Memorial Service. Lunch will be served at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Family and Friends are encouraged to share a story at Small Town Saloon following the formal services. Memorials may be given to the Milwaukee Public Library or Sierra Club in John’s memory.

John was born on November 7, 1937, the son of Clarence and Cora (Wand) Thraen in Elizabeth, IL. He attended Elizabeth High School and graduated with the Class of 1955. After graduation, John settled in Milwaukee, WI., although he frequently traveled back to Elizabeth and beyond. An avid explorer, he loved visiting National/State Parks, attending music festivals, and stationing himself along railroad tracks to watch trains come and go.

John worked for American Motors and then Chrysler until his retirement. John also drove a school bus for the Milwaukee Public School System for many years and formed close bonds with the kids on his route. While his livelihood was rooted in the automotive industry, for years John never owned a vehicle, choosing to bicycle everywhere instead. This included from Milwaukee back to Elizabeth, as well as all around the United States, camping as he went. John spent his life taking pictures and sharing the beautiful moments he captured with those he loved. He had a knack for making origami cranes and often decorated spaces with them, including a trail he maintained along a train line in Milwaukee. John was a lover of the environment, making ornate custom shirts, a good cheese sandwich, and a tall tale. Everyone that met him quickly became his friend. John lived life on his own terms, never shy to be the only person on the dance floor. He was a seeker of knowledge, meeting new people, and spreading kindness.

John will be dearly missed by many friends, five siblings, Elizabeth (Ron) Bocker of Leaf River, IL, Joe (Jan) Thraen of Elizabeth, IL, Rosemary (Don) Blackbourn of Freeport, IL, Paul Thraen of Freeport, IL, and Ray (Judy) Thraen of Elizabeth, IL; eight nieces and nephews, Eric (Tanya) Bocker, Theresa (Mike) Ryia, Randy (Erica) Bocker, Jeannette Thraen, Judy (Steve) Backenkeller, Mike Blackbourn, Dan (Kaitlyn) Blackbourn, and Irene (Keith) Thraen-Borowski; and seventeen grandnieces and grandnephews. John is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Cora; and one nephew, John Potter.