Tomah Journal - Printable Version

Story originally printed in the Tomah Journal or online at www.tomahjournal.com

Published - Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Obituaries for June 23

Ethel E. Boettcher, Catherine C. “Pat” Farmer

Ethel E. Boettcher

Ethel E. Boettcher, 86, of Camp Douglas, died Saturday June 21, 2008 at the Serenity House in Tomah. She was born March 23, 1922 in the Township of Cutler, rural Camp Douglas, the only daughter to Homer and Myrtle (Delap). She was born into the family of God when she received Christ as her Savior at the age of 8. She was united in marriage to Aaron Tatu on Sept. 2 1940. He preceded her in death on Dec. 30, 1960.

She was than united in marriage to Roland Boettcher on Jan. 18, 1964 at the Bethel Baptist Church by Rev. Ole Refsell. He preceded her in death on June 21, 2001. She worked at the Tomah Coop Elevator, as a bookkeeper from 1962 until 1980 and at the Camp Williams Military pay office for 6 years. Leaving the pay office, she retired to care for her ailing father.

She was a devoted and faithful member of the Bethel Baptist Church, serving as the church treasurer for 35 years.

She enjoyed baking homemade pies, breads and rolls and sharing them with family and friends. She was loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. She will be sadly missed by those that loved her.

She is survived by two sons Richard Tatu and Dennis (Judith) Tatu all of Tomah, 10 grandchildren, a brother Elmer (Edna) Georgeson, she is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by Aaron Tatu, Roland Boettcher, a daughter-in-law Paula Tatu, and two brothers Homer and Lester Georgeson.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 11 a.m. at the Bethel Baptist Church Camp Douglas. Pastor Thomas Baker will officiate.

Burial will be in the Camp Douglas Village Cemetery.

Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home 801 E. Monowau Street, Tomah on Tuesday, from 4 until p.m. and at the church on Wednesday, from 10 a.m.until time of service.

Catherine C. “Pat” Farmer

Catherine C. “Pat” Farmer, age 86, of Tomah, WI, died peacefully on Wednesday, June 18, 2008, with family and friends at A Touch of Home in Tomah.

Born June 15, 1922, in Oshkosh, WI, Pat was faithfully followed by the first in a long and happy line of family dogs as she swam and played at her family’s lake cottage. Pat’s family then moved to Madison where Pat graduated from Edgewood High School. A lifelong advocate of learning and freethinking, she graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1944. It was during her college years that she met a charming Irish lad, Emmet, whom she married on May 24, 1947. A proud yet humble member of “The Greatest Generation,” Pat supported Emmet through UW Law School while they shared much laughter and many a good party.

The family moved to Tomah in 1958 where Pat was a substitute high school teacher, worked at the Town Shop and was employed for many years as the friendly neighborhood teller at the Farmers & Merchants Bank. Always the quintessential wife and mother, she sewed beautifully, baked a mean capucine torte, delighted in making her daughters’ friends feel at home, supported environmental causes, and was the neighborhood steward of countless well-fed felines. In her spare time, Pat cut a familiar figure at the Tomah Library.

She is survived by her two daughters, Hilary A. Farmer of Boston, MA, and Dr. Colleen “Coke” M. Farmer of Hyattsville, MD; her sister-in-law, A.J. Cowen of Oshkosh, WI; her nieces and nephews, Janice, Mike and Bill Cowen; her caretaker and partner-in-crime, Pam Steinmetz; and other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband of almost 50 years, Attorney E.H. Farmer, Jr.; a sister, Gen; a brother, Cliff; parents, Jesse and Frank; and her husband’s aunt and uncle, Lucille and Walter Monroe.

Private family services will be held at a later date. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorials may be given to the Tomah Hospice Program.

Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.

David L. Witz

David L. Witz, age 62 of Tomah, WI passed away Saturday, June 21, 2008, at the Meriter Hospital in Madison, WI. He was born March 6, 1946, in Sparta, WI to Alvin and Marcella (Downing) Witz. David was raised in Tomah, WI graduating from Tomah High School in 1964.

David was a very hard worker at various jobs, many times holding two jobs at a time. He finished his career at TDS as a computer operator. He enjoyed many things, especially golfing, bowling, and basketball. David loved watching Wisconsin Sports teams to include the Brewers, Packers and the Badgers, but most of all he loved spending time with his grandchildren and family.

Surviving and awaiting to join him in Heaven are his children, Kimberly (Archie) Eckelberg, Heather (Todd) Linenberg both of Tomah, WI, Kirsten (Todd) Ellsworth of Waukesha, WI, Katie Witz of La Crosse, WI and Amy Witz of Madison, WI; eleven grandchildren, Allyson (Corey) Hayes, Jonathan, Kellee, Asha, and Bethany Eckelberg, Morgan and Makenna Linenberg, Mason, Jayden and Rhaya Ellsworth, and Octavion Lameer - Witz; two great granddaughters Izabell and Sophia; one sister Betty Witz; and his golfing buddy, Wayne Johnson. He was welcomed in Heaven by his mother and father, Alvin and Marcella; his mother and father-in-law, John and Marjorie Jones; three brothers, Ed, Marty, and Jim; and two sisters, Ellen and Paula.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 11 a.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah, WI. Pastor Joel Sandager will officiate. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Tomah, WI. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Monday, June 23, from 5. until 7 p.m. and from 10 p.m. until the time of service Tuesday at the funeral home. The Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.