Lois “Sheba” Gottschalk, age 97, passed away on Wednesday, October 24, 2018, at ThedaCare Medical Center of Shawano.
Lois was born on April 18, 1921, in Birnamwood to the late Leon “Ben” and Sophia (Behm) Theis. Following her graduation from Shawano High School in 1939, she trained to become a beautician. She married Urban Gottschalk on May 26, 1943 in Oklahoma City, before his deployment to Europe. After the war, Lois and Urban moved back to Shawano, where they started their family.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, W. Kirby (Jan) Gottschalk of Chapel Hill, NC; Ellen (Greg) Goeller of Hartford, WI, son-in-law, Jim Twesme (Cathy) of Madison, WI; grandchildren, Elizabeth Gottschalk, W. Jordan (Kady) Gottschalk, Braden (Rachel Dees) Twesme, Tasha (Ryan) Igielski, Maisie Twesme, Garrett (Lindsey Kiel) Goeller, Julia (Ryan Mancheski) Goeller and Granite Goeller, and many nieces, nephews, family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leon and Sophia Theis; husband, Urban; daughter, Sheila Twesme; step-grandson, Greg Goeller JR.; and sisters, Bernice Druckrey and Ethel Fisken.
Lois was an avid seamstress, a passion she passed on to her daughters. She enjoyed playing bridge in several clubs in Shawano and Memphis, TN, but above all she enjoyed baking and sharing recipes with her friends, especially during the summertime afternoon ‘teas’ she and her Lincoln Street neighbors organized. In 1963, Lois and her family undertook the adventure of her lifetime, when they moved to Memphis, TN, where Urban attended the Southern College of Optometry. After his graduation in 1967, they returned to Shawano and built the home where they enjoyed the rest of their lives with family and friends. Lois’ grandchildren were the delight of her life during the past decades.
As a life-long member of St James Lutheran Church, Lois had a strong faith, and took delight in observing God’s natural creations, including sunrises, sunsets, the moon and the stars, the swans and ducks playing in the channel, as well as deer and other wildlife that visited her back yard. The family is grateful to all who allowed her to remain in her home just as she wanted, especially Jim and Lynn Wickesberg and Amy Wendorf, as well as the wonderful Meals on Wheels support team.
A funeral service for Lois will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 3, 2018, at Mickelson Funeral & Cremation Service with Pastor Steve Schauder officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Lois will be laid to rest next to her husband in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Mickelson Funeral & Cremation service of Shawano is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences at www.mickelsonfs.com; memorial donations can be made to St. James Lutheran Ministries, Shawano.