Obituary for Dexter H. Schaubs
If you’re reading this, I’m dead. I passed away on August 15, 2022. I was born in Chilton, April 22, 1930 to Oscar and Gertrude (Buechner) Schaubs. I asked my Mom if I was a mistake because the Great Depression started, but she always insisted I was a love child.
I graduated from Chilton High School in 1948, and the military services offered 1 year active with 6 years of reserves. I chose the US Navy and served on the USS Boxer, an aircraft carrier, in the Pacific. I got out of active service in 1949, and held my breath during Korea, but was not recalled.
I attended UW-Madison for a year, but money was tight so I went to Milwaukee to look for a job. I worked for Schuster department store in Display, which led to 14 years decorating display windows for a chain of nine shoe stores throughout NE Wisconsin. Then on to the HC Prange department store in Appleton. This all led to 18 years of research and product development for Superior Specialties, a manufacturer of display products.
I met a beautiful gal who moved into my hometown in 1948. We corresponded and saw each other through the years until I changed Bernice Brotz’ name to mine on May 3, 1952. In 1953, Michael blessed us, followed by Barbara in 1955, and David in 1957. They, of course kept us busy and broke.
In addition to working and raising children, I was an avid hunter and we had a 5-acre farm where we raised pick-your-own raspberries, where I also kept honeybees. I was active for many years with the Oshkosh Community Theater, designing sets and props. I also loved to golf and made it to the course whenever possible with good friends and I attended many sporting events at UW-O.
I retired in 1988, but could not sit still. I started a preventative maintenance program at Mercy Medical Center to keep wheelchairs in good repair. I volunteered at Mercy up until several years ago. I delivered Meals on Wheels for 18 years, and made hundreds of woodcraft items for our church craft fair. The crowning achievement that I am most proud of was leading a group of people at St. Andrews Lutheran Church in making stained glass windows. We worked together for two-and-a-half years and built a total of 25 large windows for the church. We also built all the stained glass windows for the chapel at Bethel Homes, and a special window for a former pastor’s office in Iowa.
In retirement, Bernice and I traveled to England, Continental Europe, and Russia, and with Elder Hostel programs throughout the US and Belize. I was also a member of Learning in Retirement here in Oshkosh since 1997.
Survivors include children Michael (Sharon) Schaubs, Barbara (Werner) Lehenbauer and David (Margo) Schaubs, four grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
Family members who have gone before me are my parents, my sister June (Dan) Sturt, my brother Clifford (Helen) Schaubs, and my beloved Aunt Eunice (Schaubs) Nischik.
Bernice blessed my life for 50 years, but passed away in 2002, the worst day of my life. I am now happy to have joined her.
I give thanks for the many friends who blessed me throughout my life. I’m especially grateful to Chuck Spiegelberg and Joyce Ludwig (who has also gone on her way). I’m thankful for the hospice team—Jolene, Tanya, Roberta, and Nicole—who looked out for me during these last months.
Getting old is not for sissies.
A visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2450 W. 9th Ave., Oshkosh. Inurnment will be in Lakeview Memorial Park, Oshkosh. In lieu of flowers, I ask that memorials be directed to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Oshkosh.
I graduated from Chilton High School in 1948, and the military services offered 1 year active with 6 years of reserves. I chose the US Navy and served on the USS Boxer, an aircraft carrier, in the Pacific. I got out of active service in 1949, and held my breath during Korea, but was not recalled.
I attended UW-Madison for a year, but money was tight so I went to Milwaukee to look for a job. I worked for Schuster department store in Display, which led to 14 years decorating display windows for a chain of nine shoe stores throughout NE Wisconsin. Then on to the HC Prange department store in Appleton. This all led to 18 years of research and product development for Superior Specialties, a manufacturer of display products.
I met a beautiful gal who moved into my hometown in 1948. We corresponded and saw each other through the years until I changed Bernice Brotz’ name to mine on May 3, 1952. In 1953, Michael blessed us, followed by Barbara in 1955, and David in 1957. They, of course kept us busy and broke.
In addition to working and raising children, I was an avid hunter and we had a 5-acre farm where we raised pick-your-own raspberries, where I also kept honeybees. I was active for many years with the Oshkosh Community Theater, designing sets and props. I also loved to golf and made it to the course whenever possible with good friends and I attended many sporting events at UW-O.
I retired in 1988, but could not sit still. I started a preventative maintenance program at Mercy Medical Center to keep wheelchairs in good repair. I volunteered at Mercy up until several years ago. I delivered Meals on Wheels for 18 years, and made hundreds of woodcraft items for our church craft fair. The crowning achievement that I am most proud of was leading a group of people at St. Andrews Lutheran Church in making stained glass windows. We worked together for two-and-a-half years and built a total of 25 large windows for the church. We also built all the stained glass windows for the chapel at Bethel Homes, and a special window for a former pastor’s office in Iowa.
In retirement, Bernice and I traveled to England, Continental Europe, and Russia, and with Elder Hostel programs throughout the US and Belize. I was also a member of Learning in Retirement here in Oshkosh since 1997.
Survivors include children Michael (Sharon) Schaubs, Barbara (Werner) Lehenbauer and David (Margo) Schaubs, four grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
Family members who have gone before me are my parents, my sister June (Dan) Sturt, my brother Clifford (Helen) Schaubs, and my beloved Aunt Eunice (Schaubs) Nischik.
Bernice blessed my life for 50 years, but passed away in 2002, the worst day of my life. I am now happy to have joined her.
I give thanks for the many friends who blessed me throughout my life. I’m especially grateful to Chuck Spiegelberg and Joyce Ludwig (who has also gone on her way). I’m thankful for the hospice team—Jolene, Tanya, Roberta, and Nicole—who looked out for me during these last months.
Getting old is not for sissies.
A visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2450 W. 9th Ave., Oshkosh. Inurnment will be in Lakeview Memorial Park, Oshkosh. In lieu of flowers, I ask that memorials be directed to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Oshkosh.