Dorothea C. "Dottie" Scheer, nee Truitt, age 88, of the Cedar Lake Health Care Center in the Town of West Bend, was born to eternal life on Tuesday, March 14, 2006.
She was born on April 3, 1917 in Davenport, Iowa to the late A. Harold and Ella (Molter) Truitt. Her family moved to Fennimore, WI when she was an infant and she grew up there with her beloved parents and four younger brothers. Dorothea was an exceptional student and graduated as valedictorian of her high school class. She then completed a teacher's training program after which she taught in a country school for two years. Four years later she received a Bachelor's degree in Art Education from the Milwaukee State Teachers College. On August 21, 1940 she was united in marriage with Arnold C. Scheer in Fennimore. He preceded her in death on November 3, 1986.
Dorothea was devoted to her family and took an active role in their lives, always encouraging them in their academic and musical pursuits and other interests. She was a loving mother of four and a proud grandmother to eleven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She remained interested and involved in all of their lives until the last days of her own.
Her life outside her family was often focused on her church. She was a member of Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church in West Bend for nearly 60 years. She sang in the church choir for over 50 years and was a member of the Women's Sextet for several years as well. She was an active member of UMW, and Circle, and cherished the many friendships that grew from her participation in church life.
When her children grew older, Dorothea began working as a librarian for the West Bend Public Library. Her job was a great fit as she was an avid reader all of her life and enjoyed memberships in several book clubs over the years. She worked at the library for 18 years until her retirement.
Dorothea and her husband enjoyed many wonderful vacations together, including an Alaskan cruise to celebrate an anniversary, as well as many winters near San Antonio, Texas in the years before Arnold's death. Her favorite vacation spot was their summer home, Blueberry Hill, located in northwestern Wisconsin. She was interested in ecology and the environment and was especially fond of wildflowers, birds, and native plants. She was a member of the Lac Lawrann Conservancy for several years before health problems limited her activities.
Dorothea will be remembered for many things including her love of her family, friends, and church, her creativity and appreciation of the arts. She loved nature and Wisconsin's beauty and cherished the environment enough to care for it with respect. Dorothea was a student and teacher all of her life in her role as mother, grandmother, and friend.
She will be lovingly remembered by her four children, Arnold C. Scheer Jr. of Lafayette, CO, David M. (Marilyn) Scheer of Seattle, WA, Timothy H. Scheer of Wautoma, and Kathy E. (Richard) Haven of Whitewater; 11 grandchildren, Alan Scheer, Rachel (David) Setzke, David (Diane) Scheer Jr., Kirsti (Kevin) Zitar, Jacob (Crystal) Scheer, Gabriel (Jill Amsberry) Scheer, Tianna (Scott) Loeffler, Eli Scheer, Philip Haven, Neil Haven, and Lesley Haven; and a great-granddaughter, Riley Ann Zitar. Another great-grandchild is on the way and the cycle of life continues. She is further survived by her brother, Alger H. Truitt of Fennimore, her brother and sister-in-law Richard and Barbara Truitt of Milwaukee; a sister-in-law, Joyce Truitt of Janesville; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Dorothea was preceded in death by many beloved family members including her parents; her husband Arnold; her brother and his wife, Joseph "Ted" (Ann) Truitt; her brother, Arthur Truitt; a sister-in-law, Edie Truitt; and two aunts, Elfrieda Lyon and Hazel Truitt.
A Memorial Service in Celebration of Dorothea's life will be held on Saturday, April 8, 2006 at 12:00 pm at Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church in West Bend. A reception gathering with the family will follow the service. Memorials may be sent to Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church or to the Lac Lawrann Conservancy.