Obit: Rothamer, Eugene K. (1932 - 2015)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Forest, Hosler, Laher, Noland, Pernsteiner, Philipp, Rothamer, Schaetzl, Smrstick, Tagg

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 9/24/2015

Rothamer, Eugene “Gene” K. (19 JUN 1932 - 18 SEP 2015)

Eugene “Gene” K. Rothamer, 83, Medford, town of Little Black resident, died Friday, Sept. 18, 2015 at Medford Aspirus Care and Rehabilitation Center surrounded by his loving family.

Gene was born June 19, 1932 in Medford to George L. and Margaret T. (Forest) Rothamer. He was the youngest of four brothers and three sisters. He was educated at Medford school systems.
Gene met his wife Shirle R. (Smrstick) at a dance in Dorchester. They were married on Oct. 8, 1955 at Assumption of Our Lady Church in Chelsea.

Gene was employed as a meat processor at Brandner Meat Market, where they lived in an apartment on Clark Street, Medford. In 1957, they moved to Reisch’s Farm, in Dorchester, where he was a dairy farm employee. In 1959, they moved to Medford parish, where he was employed as a caretaker of the Holy Rosary Church, school, and grounds, until 1963, when they bought their first home, a dairy farm in Little Black. They farmed for 37 years, until they sold their dairy herd on July 1, 2000. While farming, Gene also drove milk truck for Pleasant View Dairy, and worked as an electrician for Bach Electric, but farming was his passion.

Gene was a loving and loyal husband and father. He was hard working, with a carefree spirit. His spontaneous laughter was infectious. He loved people and never passed up an opportunity for a good conversation.

Gene enjoyed spending any free time with family, especially his grandchildren. He also enjoyed square dancing with his wife, and playing sheepshead with friends.

Their children surprised them with a 25th anniversary celebration in 1980, and a 50th anniversary celebration in 2005, at Molitor’s Steak House, where they arrived “in style” in a limo and were greeted by family and many friends.

Travel included Washington D.C., South Dakota, Canada, Colorado, Minnesota, and Florida (Disney World).

Gene is survived by his wife, Shirle of Medford. He is also survived by his six children: Judith (Russell) Hosler of Owen, Victoria (Richard) Schaetzl of Athens, Pamela Philipp of Wausau, Randall (Donna) of Glen Bernie, MD, Ryan (Pam Nelson) of Medford, Melissa (Terry) Pernsteiner of Champlin, Minn.; 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; one brother Theodore (Sharon) Rothamer of Newport Richey, Fla.; and a sister-in-law Mildred Rothamer of Janesville. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one grandchild, Chad Rothamer, two brothers: Raymond and Melvin Rothamer and three sisters: Marcella Noland, Dorothy and Harriet Laher.

Funeral services for Eugene K. Rothamer were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Medford with Father Philip Juza officiating. Burial took place in Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery, Medford.

Visitation was held from 4 to 7 p.m Monday, Sept. 21, 2015 at the Hemer Funeral Home, Medford with a 7 p.m. Rosary Service and also from 9:30 a.m. until 10: 45 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22 at the Hemer Funeral Home. Grandchildren, Nicholas, Jacob and Samantha Pernsteiner, Chelsea and Shauna Rothamer, Matthew Philipp, Brandon Tagg and Jacquelyn Schaetzl, served as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Gene’s family to be designated at a later date.

The family of Eugene would like to thank the Aspirus Care and Rehabilitation Center staff for their care and compassion they have given to Gene and his family for the past 5 years.