Obit: Rothamer, Shirle Rose (1937 - 2017)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Hayden, Hosler, Lieble, Nelson, Pernsteiner, Philipp, Rothamer, Savka, Schaetzl, Smrstick, Schoenborn, Tagg

----Source: The Hemer Funeral Home (Medford & Rib Lake, WI) 7/23/2017

Rothamer, Shirle Rose (Smrstick) (19 JUN 1937 - 21 JUL 2017)

Shirle Rose Rothamer, 80, of Medford, town of Little Black resident died Friday, July 21, 2017 at Hospice House in Wausau, Wisconsin surrounded by all six of her children and other loving family members.

Shirle was born June 19, 1937 in Kennan, Wisconsin to Leo and Cleo Smrstick. She was the oldest of 6 children, 4 brothers and 1 sister. She lived in Kennan until 1947, when she moved to Vesper, and attended grade school, and middle school. In 1950, at the age of 13, she moved to Westboro, where she finished high school and graduated in 1955. She very much enjoyed school, especially history.

Shirle met her husband Eugene “Gene” Rothamer, at a dance in Dorchester. They were married on October 8, 1955 at Assumption of our Lady Church in Chelsea. They lived in an apt. on Clark Street, in Medford until 1957 when they moved to Reisch’s Farm, in Dorchester where they resided for two years. In 1959, they moved to Holy Rosary Parish where Gene served as a custodian 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. In addition to dairy farming, Shirle worked at the Ideal Café for many years.

Shirle was a long time member of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, and belonged to a homemakers club for years. She took pride in keeping a beautiful home for her family. She was very creative and artistic. Her talents included sewing, cake decorating, Artex paints, wall murals and a beautiful plaster wall sculpture of Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler from her favorite movie, “Gone with the Wind”. She loved square dancing with Gene and rummage sales. She also had a passion for reading and M&M’s.

Their children surprised them with a 25th anniversary celebration at the VFW in Medford 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 friends. In June, 2017 Shirle celebrated her 80th birthday with a small gathering at the family farm.

Shirle and Gene enjoyed traveling with their kids. Their vacation travels included: Washington DC, South Dakota, Canada, Colorado, and Florida (Disney World).

After nearly 60 years together, Shirle lost her loving husband on September 18, 2015. She was a devoted wife and mother, whose dedication to her family was her greatest purpose in life. She will forever be missed and treasured dearly.

Shirle is survived by her six children, Judith (the late Russell) Hosler of Owen, Victoria (Richard) Schaetzl of Athens, Pamela Philipp of Wausau, Randall (Donna ) Rothamer of Glen Burnie MD, Ryan (Pam Nelson) Rothamer of Medford, Melissa (Terry) Pernsteiner of Champlin MN, 15 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren , 3 brothers, Leon (Elaine) Smrstick of Arpin, Gary (Ida) Smrstick of Arpin, Gale Smrstick of Arpin, and 1 sister, Sharon Lieble of Marshfield. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to her husband, Shirle is preceded in death by 1 grandchild, Chad Rothamer, 1 brother, Kim Smrstick, and 1 son-in-law, Russell Hosler.

Funeral services for Shirle R Rothamer will be at 11:00 AM, Tuesday July 25th, 2017 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Medford with Father Michael Hayden officiating. Burial will take place in Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery, Medford.

Visitation will be held at Hemer Funeral Home on Monday July 24, 2017 from 4:00-7:00 PM with a Rosary Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue on Tuesday July 25 at 10 AM until the time of service 11 AM at the church.

Grandchildren will serve as pallbearers: Nicholas and Jacob Pernsteiner, Jacquelyn Schaetzl, Teneille Savka, Matthew Philipp, Amanda Rothamer, Chelsea Rothamer, and Chrystal Schoenborn. Honorary pallbearers: Jennifer Tagg, Shauna Rothamer, Samantha Pernsteiner, and Shalaya Rothamer.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Shirle’s family to be designated at a later date.
The family of Shirle would like to thank the staff at St Clairs Hospital and Hospice House for their compassion and caring support.

Hemer Funeral Service of Medford and Rib Lake has been entrusted with arrangements.

Online condolences can be left at www.hemerfuneralservice.com.