William Joseph "Bill" Breemeersch, 86, of Blaine, passed away peacefully on August 10th, 2026, surrounded by the love and comfort of his entire family.

He was born May 25, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, to Alphonse and Helen Breemeersch. He attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth before dedicating his career to public service, serving as a police officer and detective for the City of Blaine from 1965 to 1998. On September 10th, 1966, he married Janet Haggestad, and together they raised their family in the Catholic faith.

Bill had a great love for golf and the outdoors, but nothing compared to the joy he found in spending time with his family. Known as "Papa Bill" to many, he was a loyal fan at his grandkids' sporting events and a devoted supporter of every activity and achievement. His warm smile and genuine interest in the lives of others made him a friend to nearly everyone he met. He had a gift for inviting people to share his enthusiasm for life, whether supporting them in their faith, dancing at a wedding, or offering driving safety tips.

Bill faced life's hardships with resilience and unshakable grace, and his inner joy was an inspiration to all who knew him. He carried that same spirit to the very end. He and Janet were looking forward to celebrating 60 years of marriage in the weeks ahead.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, James.

He is survived by his wife, Janet; son, Brad (Kelly) Breemeersch of Shoreview; daughter, Diana (Eric) Hunter of Andover; grandchildren, Briana (Kyler) Kniffen, Ryan (Morgan) Hunter, Lauren Breemeersch, and Max Hunter; and his great-grandson, Parker Kniffen.

Bill will be remembered for his warmth, his faith, his devotion to his family, and the bright light he brought to everyone he met.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, August 19th, 2026, from 5-7 pm at Thurston Deshaw Funeral Home, 13817 Jay St. NW, Andover. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 20th, 2026, at 11 am at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, 7633 161st Ave NW, Ramsey.

Thurston-DeShaw Funeral Home - Andover, 763-767-7373 - www.thurston-deshaw.com