BERGENSKE, OTTO C., JR.

Otto C. Bergenske, age 87, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010, at Oakwood Village East. He was born on July 5, 1922, in Belleville, the son of Otto and Carrie (Erfurth) Bergenske. Otto graduated from Madison East High School in 1941. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1942 until 1945, as a Marine Raider in the South Pacific during World War II, receiving three Purple Hearts. He married Virginia Thurber on Aug. 31, 1946, at St. Bernard Catholic Church, Madison. Otto owned and operated Otto’s Shoe Service on Milwaukee Street from 1951 until 1984. He was a 50-year member of East Side Business Men’s Association, 50-plus-year member of the Marine Corps League and charter member of St. Dennis Parish. Otto loved to travel, and enjoyed gambling junkets with friends and playing euchre. He is survived by three sons, Michael (Debbie), Gregory (Yvonne) and Brian; four grandchildren, Mary Bergenske, Nicholas Bergenske, Brian (Michelle) Gallagher and Sergeant Patrick (Amber) Gallagher, USMC; a sister, Mabel Wiechkoske; and many nieces and nephews. Otto was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia in 1992; parents; a son, Christopher; and nine siblings, Gordon, Emmett, Charles, Wilma, Hazel, Donald, Elsie, Michael and James. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Dennis Catholic Church, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 15, 2010, with Father Kent Schmitt and Father Bill Nolan concelebrating. Visitation will be at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens, with military rites conducted by the Madison Veterans Firing Squad. Otto was an awesome husband, father and grandfather. He will be greatly missed.

Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive