Leonard “Lenny” Drewsen

Leonard “Lenny” Drewsen, 60, of Minocqua passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 11 due to a medical event. Lenny was born on October 4, 1965 and was a lifelong resident of Minocqua.

Lenny graduated from Lakeland Union High School where he was a star basketball player and was known as the “mad dunker.” He then went on to graduate from UW-Whitewater with a sociology degree and minor in criminal justice.

Lenny bartended for many years at the Minocqua Yacht Club and installed docks for both locals and seasonal residents alike. He then began his law enforcement career as boat patrol, transitioning to the Woodruff Police Department as a patrol officer. His dedication, strong work ethic, and great people skills led him to be promoted in 2005 as the Woodruff Police Chief. He continued to protect and serve the community until he retired in 2019.

Lenny’s love of the outdoors allowed him to enjoy hunting, fishing, water skiing, boating, snowmobiling, and downhill skiing. He organized annual fishing trips to Canada with his friends and family and was a founding member of the Lambchop Hardwater Open. Lenny’s lake tours were always educational and entertaining as no one knew the Minocqua chain better than him. Lenny was an avid Packers fan and season ticket holder, making sure every year friends and family experienced the thrill of Lambeau Field.

In his retirement years, Lenny became best known for his Black Lab Berry Whiskey. What began as a hobby and perfected in his basement soon grew into a successful collaboration and best seller at Northern Waters Distillery. The Lenny Old Fashioned still remains a customer favorite on the distillery menu. If you have experienced a taste of Black Lab Berry Whiskey, you have experienced what it’s like to be a Drewsen.

Lenny’s kind spirit, generosity, infectious laugh, clever nicknames, and endless ability to converse will be missed by his family, his many friends, and all who knew him.

Lenny was preceded in death by his mother Dolores “Dolly” Drewsen, his father, Clarence “Curley” Drewsen, his brother-in-law Mark Staples, and his nephew, Chase Drewsen. He was survived by his siblings Anne Lawler (Ken Burrati) of Naples, Fla., Greg Drewsen (Sherry) of Waunakee, Donna Staples of Wausau, Laurie Drewsen (Ronnie Peterson) of Prescott Valley, Ariz. and Minocqua, Larry Drewsen (Terry O’ Connor) of Yuma, Ariz., Connie Schrom (Todd) of Hazelhurst; his former wife, Maureen “Gordy” Hartzheim; his beloved black lab, Chuck; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations, or as Lenny would call them, “skinny chickens,” be made to the Oneida County Humane Society in Rhinelander, or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (T2T.org). A celebration of Lenny’s life will be held on Saturday, July 11, at the Minocqua 70 West Complex. Time and details to follow.

Rest easy, brother. We have the watch from here. 10-42.

Online condolences may be shared at www.nimsgernfuneral.com. Nimsgern Funeral & Cremation Services is serving the family.