Compiled and written by David R. Schleper, 2022

Warren Ernest Stemmer was born in Shakopee on August 3, 1922, son of Joseph Mathias Stemmer (1877-1961) and Alma Edna Greenwald Stemmer (1889-1968).

Warren married Kathleen Mary O’Keefe (1923-1981). They had three children. Kathleen died on August 7, 1981. Three years later, Warren married Teresa Topic Meyer (1920-2012).

Warren attended Shakopee High School and worked in the family business, Stemmer Farm and Garden, which was located at 134 South Scott Street in Shakopee. In 1940, he played with the Shakopee Indians, who won the state tournament and then played in the National Amateur Baseball Tournament.

Warren signed a professional baseball contract with the Eau Claire Braves. He continued to play amateur baseball from 1946-1953. The Eau Claire Bears was the primary nickname of the minor league baseball team from Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Eau Claire was a member of the Class C Northern League (1933-1942, 1946-62) and were affiliates of the Boston Red Sox (1936), Chicago Cubs (1937-1939) and the Boston Braves (1947-1962). The team played its home games at Carson Park in Eau Claire.

Originally named the Eau Claire Cardinals, the team adopted its most enduring nickname when new owners bought the team in July of its first season. Beginning in 1954, the Eau Claire Bears were renamed the Eau Claire Braves after the Boston Braves moved to Milwaukee.

The Bears, along with the rest of the Northern League, did not play the 1943-45 seasons due to World War II. Warren served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. After his discharge, he attended St. Thomas College and earned his teaching degree.

Warren taught social studies at Belle Plaine High School from 1952-1953 and spent the rest of his teaching career in Burnsville.

Warren raised his family in Shakopee and played for the Shakopee Indians town team for several more years. He also coached throughout the Shakopee youth baseball program.

Warren was in the first group to be enshrined in the Shakopee High School Hall of Fame.

In 2000, the high school baseball team created the Warren Stemmer Class Act Award, which is given each season to the player who best embodies fair play, sportsmanship, and dedication to teammates and the game.

The Warren Stemmer Baseball Field at the Shakopee High School was dedicated on June 5, 2008. The field is located at the new Shakopee High School (southwest corner). It’s between county roads 77 and 79 on 17th Avenue at Shakopee High School campus. Stemmer Field includes two batting cages, one small bleacher, two bullpens, a scoreboard, and an announcer’s box.

Warren Stemmer died on October 14, 2005, surrounded by his loving family. He is buried at the Catholic Cemetery in Shakopee.