Walter S. Mortimer, 90, Published July 30, 2008
Walter S. "Pat" Mortimer, 90 of Ironton, died Tuesday, July 22, 2008, at the Greenway Manor in Spring Green. He was born on the family farm on Oct. 2, 1917 in Valton, Woodland Township, the son of Dolph and Millie (Stowe) Mortimer. On Aug. 15, 1940, he was united in marriage to Genevive R. Fisher. This marriage was blessed with two daughters. Pat proudly served his country in the U.S. Army in the Pacific Theater in the Philippines during World War II.
Pat began living his life to the fullest as a youth, traveling to Washington State to pick delicious apples, which became the only apples he would eat. He developed a love for animals, having a pony named Flossy and recently his big yellow cat Oaky. He had a love and respect of the outdoors. He became an avid sportsman, enjoying trout fishing and trips to Canada, Northern Wisconsin and special fishing trips with nephews to the Gulf of Mexico. His trips to the mountains in Colorado while Elk hunting, hunting duck, geese, pheasant and deer also became highlights of his life.
But, most important to him was his love of his family. He loved to cut a rug with his true love Gen, and both were fabulous dancers having a fondness for big band music. They became avid travelers, making yearly visits to Texas to visit family. He helped with many family projects and even moved the original family home from the farm to town where he completely remodeled it.
Pat worked as he lived, always on the go never missing a beat and no sick days allowed. His enthusiasm took him down many roads. When he moved to Ironton he built and operated a grocery store called Mortimer's Market for 18 years. He owned and operated a gas station in Ironton, worked road construction for Kraemer's and worked as a Maytag repairman. Following his father-in-laws death, he farmed the family farm for 12 years. His love of children led him to drive school bus for 20 years for the Reedsburg School District, which brought him great pride and joy. He was a rural substitute mail carrier, which later became full time for 31 years.
His community spirit was evident for his beloved Village of Ironton and the surrounding communities; being village president for the Village of Ironton for 32 years, president of the Ironton Cemetery board, one of the first EMT's for the Cazenovia Ambulance Service; on the board of directors for the State Bank of Cazenovia for 33 years, and now an honorary board member.
He was a member and past commander of the Cazenovia American Legion Post 491 and an active friend to the LaValle American Legion. Pat was a 32nd degree Mason, Past Master of the Masonic Lodge, Past Patron of the Eastern Star and member of the Zor Shrine. Pat was a member and trustee of the United Methodist Church in Ironton. He was a lifelong Republican who enjoyed that occasional sparring with those certain people he could fire up.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Ronald Mortimer, and his mother and father-in-law, Belle and William Fisher.
He is survived by: gis wife, Genevive Mortimer of Ironton; daughters, Susan (Carroll) Hays of Copper Canyon, TX and Connie French of Spring Green; grandchildren, Jill, Scott, Kelly, Jennifer and Mariah; great-grandchildren, Haley, Wesley, Will, Heather, Sofie, David, Nathan, Lizzie, Aria, Eiden and Jaycie; brothers and sister, Duane (Beth) Mortimer of Columbus, Muriel (Arnold 'Bliss') Blakeslee of Ironton, Dean (Connie) Mortimer of Blue River; brother-in-law, Robert (Sophia) Fisher of San Antonio, TX; special buddy, Oaky his big yellow cat; many nieces, nephews and special friends.
Funeral services for Walter "Pat" Mortimer will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 31, 2008, at the Farber Funeral Home in Reedsburg with Pastor David Farina and Pastor Paul Willis co-officiating. Burial will be made in the Resting Green Cemetery in Ironton with military graveside rites conducted by the Cazenovia American Legion Post 491. Friends may call on Wednesday from 5 until 9 p.m. in the Farber Funeral Home where a Masonic service will be conducted at 5 p.m. and again on Thursday from 11 a.m. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials of remembrance may be made to the Resting Green Cemetery, Alzheimer's Research or the Jason Berberich Memorial Park.