Otto Shoemaker Obituary (1925 - 2002)

OTTO M. SHOEMAKER Otto Milton Shoemaker, age 77, of Menomonie, WI died Saturday, November 16, 2002 at the Dunn County Health Care Center in Menomonie. He was born June 17, 1925 in Rice Lake, WI to Owen and Nina (Blaylock) Shoemaker. He attended elementary school in Wascott, WI and graduated from Chippewa Falls High School. Otto served in the U.S. Army during W.W.II from 1943 to 1946 in the Pacific Theater. He married Dona Marie Rose March 7, 1946 at Peace Lutheran Church in Menomonie. Otto graduated from the Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science in Milwaukee in 1950. He then worked at several funeral homes throughout Wisconsin and returned to Menomonie in 1957. He worked as a funeral director with Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie for over 30 years retiring in 1990. He was also a representative for Johnson Monument Company for many years. Otto was a member of Peace Lutheran Church, a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 1584, VFW Post 1039 and the American Legion Post 32. He was a member and past master of the Masonic Lodge 164 F. & A.M., the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in Eau Claire, the Zor Shrine in Madison and the Mehara Shrine Club. He was very active in Shrine activities. He was also a member of the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Assoc. Otto enjoyed meeting with his morning coffee group and also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Otto is survived by: His wife, Dona Shoemaker of Menomonie 4 sons and 1 daughter Thomas Shoemaker of River Falls Nancy (Bill) Kern of Waldo, WI Richard Shoemaker of Menomonie David (Jane) Shoemaker of Sheboygan James (Peggy) Shoemaker of Hudson 12 grandchildren Scott and Matthew Shoemaker Renee (Mark) Oldenburg, Randy (Kelly) VanRooyen and Rob VanRooyen Kristine (John) Davies and Jayson (Heather) Shoemaker Lara, Katy and Neal Shoemaker Andrew and Anna Shoemaker 2 great-grandchildren, Gage Oldenburg and Avery Shoemaker 1 brother, Roy (Esther) Shoemaker of Phoenix, AZ His father-in-law, Herman Rose of Chippewa Falls Nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Owen and Nina Shoemaker; a sister, Cora Huray; a brother, Harry Shoemaker; and his mother-in-law, Alvina Rose. Funeral services will be 1:30 PM Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2002 at Peace Lutheran Church in Menomonie, with Rev. Dave Whelan officiating. Burial will be in Peace Lutheran Church Cemetery, with Military Honors by the Menomonie Veterans Honor Guard. Friends may call from 4:00 to 8:00 PM Monday at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie, where there will be a public Masonic Service at 7:30 PM. There will also be visitation at the church one hour prior to the service on Tuesday.