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PROFESSOR EMERITUS JOHN L. GATES Professor Emeritus John Lawrence Gates, age 73, of Elkhart Lake, died at his home surrounded by his loved ones on Saturday, August 21, 2010, following a valiant three-year battle with cancer. He is now in the arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ.
John was born in La Crosse, WI, on April 10, 1937, to the late George (Rusty) and Ragna (Larson) Gates.
Just two months ago, John was joyously united in marriage
to his soul mate, Susan J. Sanville, on June 12, 2010, at their home in Elkhart
Lake. A
native of
La Crosse,
Wisconsin, Gates played trumpet in high school band, jazz ensemble, and the La
Crosse Symphony Orchestra.
He performed in the
University
of Wisconsin-Madison Bands
and Symphony Orchestra as a brass major on trumpet, French horn,
euphonium and bass trombone. He is remembered by his fellow musicians as
one of the most versatile brass players they ever met. Generously assisted
with his college tuition by his dear Uncle Harry Gates, John received his
Bachelor of Music in 1959 and a Masters Degree in arranging and
conducting from UW-Madison in 1961. In addition, he accomplished extensive
post-graduate work at the Madison
campus. Gates conducted bands, orchestras, and jazz
ensembles at
Dominican
High School
in
Whitefish
Bay
for one year and at Beloit
High School
for five years. John then served in the Wisconsin Air National
Guard from 1959 to 1965. In
1966, John accepted the position of Assistant Director of
Bands at the UW-Madison campus and in 1968 became the director of the
famous University
of Wisconsin Marching Band. In addition to conducting, Gates taught arranging, orchestration,
and advised graduate composition majors. Gates also served as
a technology consultant and clinician in middle schools, high
schools and colleges. He led MIDI-based curriculum seminars, served
as a clinician, and conducted honors bands throughout the state of
Wisconsin
and the Tucson, Arizona, magnet schools. Gates is a member of Phi Mu Alpha and is a
past recipient of the Kaplan Excellence in Teaching Award. John
directed many local area bands and orchestras and in 1977 coordinated the
creation of the Honors Band of the Central Lakeshore High School Conference of
Wisconsin, a program that recognizes gifted upcoming musicians and still
continues to this day. John spent nearly four decades of his career as
music professor at UW-Sheboygan until his retirement due to illness in the fall
of 2007. John
enjoyed inland lake sailing, the road racing at Road
America, motorcycling, music (jazz in particular), reading, beautiful
cars, the Wisconsin Badgers,
his yearly ‘open house’ during the 4th of July parade down Lake
Street, Shadow (his cat), and spending time with friends and family. John
remembered fondly his years spent judging and directing drum and bugle corps.
He loved and supported Elkhart
Lake, where he spent most of his adult life and served on the Village Board.
John had a kind and gentle soul and always put the needs of others before his
own. He was loved by everyone who met him for his intelligence, wit, generosity,
and sense of humor. All that knew him felt incredibly blessed to have John
in their lives.. John
is survived by his beloved wife, Susan; stepson, Tom Abromaitis;
brothers-in-law, Tom (Lorie) Sanville and Ed Sanville; sister-in-law Kathy
(Scott) Hilpertshauser; special nephew, Sam Hilpertshauser; Susan’s father
Leon (Dot) Sanville, Susan’s uncle (and John’s best man) Fred
Weber. John’s
circle of friends was vast, and many of them became as family to him. His
wife would like to recognize his beloved friends Bert and Teddie Sadock, Larry
Jr. and Jan Bray, Larry Sr. and Lynn Bray, Lee Verhulst, and Paul
Sucherman—all of Elkhart Lake. David Seiler of Durham, NH, was like a brother to John. John had also had the joy of recently
renewing deep friendships forged in college with Jan Swenson of Arena and his
mentor, the great Bobby Lewis of Chicago, IL, who so kindly blessed all of us
with his music at John and Susan’s June wedding. A
funeral service for John will be held on
Saturday morning, August 28, 2010, at 10:00 am at the Novak Ramm-Ziegler Funeral
Home, 1535 South 12th Street, Sheboygan, with the Reverend Michael Brecke officiating. Family and friends may
call at the funeral home on
Friday evening, August 27, from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm. A time of
gathering will also be held on
Saturday morning from 9:00am until the time of service at 10:00am.
Burial will take place at St. Thomas Aquinas Cemetery North in Elkhart
Lake. A memorial fund has been established in John’s name.
John’s family would like to thank the staff at Matthews’ Oncology, especially his beloved nurse “Annie,” for their years of constant love and support. They also would like to thank the hospice nurses that cared so kindly for him during his last days, St. Nicholas Hospital’s ICU nurse, Hazel, John’s “A-Team” coach, Bill Skrube of Sheboygan, Dr. Patricia Horn of Milwaukee, and Sara Franzen of St. Cloud--John’s personal masseuse, whose gentle touch made all the difference in the world.
Ruth Hettinger Ruth Hettinger, age 95, a resident of Golden Living Center in Sheboygan, formerly of Harmony Assisted Living Facility, passed away peacefully on Saturday August 28, 2010.
Ruth was born Feb. 1, 1915 in Sheboygan
to the late Frederick and Isabel (Bolz) Fesing.
She graduated from Mapledale
Grade School
in 1929. Ruth attended and graduated from LeClaire
Beauty
Culture
School
in Milwaukee, after which she worked as a beautician at the Esser Beaute Shop for eight
years and then 27 years at the Bennett Beaute Shop in the Foeste Hotel in Sheboygan. In 1960, Ruth opened her own shop,
R. H. Beaute Salon, in the basement of
her home, which she worked until her retirement. Ruth’s business
flourished because of her ability to work hard for her many loyal customers.
Ruth was always a hard worker. As a young girl on the farm, the youngest
of five children, she did heavy work to prove she could work as hard as her
brothers. This work ethic carried over into every aspect of her business.
She took care of her customers, ordered supplies, cleaned the shop, manicured
the yard and helped her husband Joe with the books. She was also very
astute and never “suffered the fool”. She once asked her tax
accountant why he needed a calculator to prepare her taxes. Ruth married
Joe Hettinger on June 12th 1946; he preceded her in death on August 7, 1977.
Ruth and Joe loved to travel and entertain. They hosted many elegant
get-togethers for family and friends. They loved to laugh and be
surrounded by those they loved. Together they brought a little extra
“style” to their backyard barbeques and Christmas parties.
Survivors include many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, Ruth was preceded in death by two
sisters, Evelyn and Wilma, and two brothers, Frederick and Ervin.
Family and friends may call at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, 1444 S. 11th Street, Sheboygan on Wednesday morning, September 1st, from 9:30-11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church with the Rev. Richard Cerpich officiating and Deacon Mike Burch, parish director, assisting. Burial to follow in the Holy Cross Cemetery. The staff of the Novak-Ramm-Ziegler Funeral Home is assisting the Hettinger family.
Thomas John Klunck Thomas John Klunck, age 57, of Sheboygan, died unexpectedly on Saturday, August 28, 2010 at St. Nicholas Hospital.
He was born in Sheboygan
on December 28, 1952 the son of the late John and Marie Heinen Klunck. He attended local schools and graduated from Sheboygan
South
High School
in 1971. Thomas held various jobs throughout the years and for the past
ten years he devoted all of his time caring for his parents. He is survived by his two aunts and two uncles. A memorial service for Thomas will be held on
Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 11:00am at the Novak-Ramm-Ziegler Funeral Home, 1535 S. 12th St.,
Sheboygan, with Rev. John J. Radeski, officiating. Family and friends may call at
the funeral home on Wednesday morning from 10:00am until the time of service at
11:00am. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in his name.
Marilynn V. Pentek Marilynn V. Pentek, 85, of Sheboygan, passed away on Monday, August 30, 2010. Marilynn was born on December 28, 1924, to
Raymond and Julia Lamb. She attended St. Peter Claver grade school in Sheboygan
and graduated from Central
High School
in 1942. On June 24th, 1946, she married Joseph F. Pentek at St.
Peter Claver Church. Marilynn was a member of Immaculate Conception
Parish where she was an active volunteer. She enjoyed many years of swimming at
the YMCA, as well as bowling, golfing with friends and fishing. She especially
enjoyed being with her grandchildren. Her husband, Joe, two brothers, three sisters
and one son-in-law preceded Marilynn in death. She is survived by her children,
Viola Hall, Marlene (Dennis) Luedtke of Sheboygan, Joseph (Barbara) Pentek of
Fond du Lac, Lorelei (Kenneth) Kellner of Neenah, and Pamela (Terry) Owens of
South Beloit. She is also survived by her beloved 12
grandchildren, Angela Hall, Justin (Casey) Hall, Melissa (Scott) Bell, Jason
(Amy) Luedtke, Jeremy (Anne) Luedtke, Thomas (Amy) Pentek, Joseph (Jill) Pentek,
David Pentek, Karen (Chris) Birling, Kristine (Josh) Sova, Josh
Owens, Jake (Lindsay Finocchiaro) Owens, and 12 great grandchildren. Also
surviving are a sister, Janis Wierzbach, a brother-in-law, John Pentek,
sisters-in-law, Joan Pentek, Phyllis Pentek, Janet Lamb, and Kitty Lamb, as well
as numerous nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will
be celebrated on Thursday, September 2 at 10:30 A.M. at Immaculate Conception
Church, 1305 Humboldt Avenue, Sheboygan
with Rev. Glenn Powers as celebrant. Burial will follow in
Immaculate Conception Cemetery Visitors may call at church from 9 A.M. until the
time of Mass.
A memorial fund has been established in
Marilynn’s name at Immaculate Conception Parish. Marilynn’s family would like to extend their
deep appreciation to the staff of Countryside Manor and the Sharon S. Richardson
Hospice for the care and compassion given to her. The Novak-Ramm-Ziegler Funeral Home is serving the family.
Jane C. Poppe Jane C. Poppe, age 97, of 2119 Erie Avenue, Sheboygan died Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at Meadow View Manor.
Jane was born July 30, 1913 to the late James and Margaret (Marthenze) Poppe.
Jane attended Jackson School in the Town of Wilson, Sheboygan Central High School, and a year at Sheboygan County Normal School in Sheboygan Falls. Jane worked at H. C. Prange Co. and Sheboygan Memorial Hospital prior to being employed as a nursing assistant at Pine Haven Christian Home until her retirement. Jane also volunteered at local nursing homes. She was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church, taught Sunday school and was a member of the United Methodist Women, the “Young at Heart”. Jane was an avid knitter and made many blankets for Project Linus.
Jane is survived by her sister Helen (Gilles) Kaat of Jacksonville, FL, nieces, nephews, and a dear friend, Helen Dionne.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Carl and a niece, Karen.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
A memorial fund has been established for the Wesley United Methodist Church Building Fund.
The staff of the Novak-Ramm-Ziegler Funeral Home is assisting the Poppe family.
Jane F. Portmann Jane F. Portmann, age 60, of Appleton, died on Saturday, August 28, 2010 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Appleton.
She was born in Sheboygan
on August 21, 1950 the daughter of Arnold and Ruth Edler Portmann. Jane enjoyed traveling, camping, puzzles and
going to the Wisconsin Dells. She is survived by her three aunts, LaVerne Gerl, of Appleton, Bernadine Kuester, Berni (Donald) Schinabeck, both of Sheboygan and an uncle, Arthur (Delilah) Edler, of Howards Grove. Jane is further survived by many cousins, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in
death by her mother who passed away in November of 1974, her aunts, Marge
Schwoerer, Carol Petermann and by her uncle, Eugene Edler. A funeral service for Jane will be held on Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 10:30am at the Novak-Ramm-Ziegler Funeral Home, 1535 S. 12th St., Sheboygan with Rev. Daniel J. Lasecki, officiating. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday morning from 9:30am until the time of service at 10:30am. Burial will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Clement F. Rammer Clement F. Rammer, of 1607 N. 34th St., passed away at the age of 88 on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at St. Nicholas Hospital following a brief illness.
Clem was a kind and faith filled man with an easy smile who was always there to lend a helping hand to his family and friends. Clem was born on the family century farm in the Town of Wilson, a son of the late Martin and Mary (Mayer) Rammer.
He attended St. George Catholic School and worked on the farm. On May 5, 1951 he was united in marriage to Ione Zolltheis at St. George Catholic Church. Together they lived on the family farm until moving to Sheboygan 17 years ago. Besides farming part time he was employed at Wilman Industries in Cedar Grove. In his retirement years he especially enjoyed his volunteer work at the Sheboygan County Historical Research Center in Sheboygan Falls. He felt very fortunate to have traveled back to Austria in 1976 and again in 1991 finding the Rammer-Mayer family homestead and church records of the early pioneer families of Bodendorf and Tragwein Austria. He readily shared his genealogical knowledge with many family members and friends. He was also responsible for researching and preparing a genealogical record of the parishioners at St. George Catholic Church and authored the book History of Catholic Schools in Sheboygan County for the Historical Society. Clem was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church where he was active with the Dominic Dynamos and volunteered for the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He was also a member of the Molders Union Local 261 along with being an avid Sheephead player. Clem is survived by his wife, Ione; six children, Peter Rammer of Plymouth, Carol (Thomas) Kennedy of Marinette, Timothy (Mary) Rammer of Waldo, Roger (Mary Jo) Rammer of Covington, WA, Janet (Philip) Tripoli of Plymouth and Daniel Rammer of Sheboygan; eleven grandchildren, Sara, Jason and Eric Rammer, David (fiancée Kari Bellmann) and Michelle Kennedy, Rebecca (Dan) Hamrin, Jacob and Megan Rammer, Gabriel Rammer and Charla and Dylan Tripoli; his brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Harold and Jeanette Zolltheis, Marian Zolltheis all of Sheboygan, Florence Hinz of Valders and Bernice Buechel of Howards Grove.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Richard and brothers-in-law, Willard Zolltheis, Clarence Beuchel and Elmer Hinz. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 A.M., Monday August 30 at St. Dominic Catholic Church with Rev. John Radetski officiating. Burial will follow in St. George Catholic Cemetery. Family and friends may gather at the Novak-Ramm-Ziegler Funeral Home, 1535 S. 12th St., on Sunday from 4 P.M. until 7:30 P.M.. and on Monday at the church, N. 21st and Geele Ave. from 9 A.M. until time of Mass at 10:00 A.M. A vigil service will be held 7:30 P.M. at the funeral home on Sunday evening. A memorial fund has been established in Clement’s name. Ione and her family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of St. Nicholas Hospital for the care and compassion given to Clem and his family during his brief illness.
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