Merritt Joseph "Skip" Bohse

Skip's Livestream Service will begin at 11 a.m. central time on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. To join the Live Webcast:

1. Scroll down to the Events; under the Livestream Service click on "Watch Event"

OREGON - Merritt “Skip” Bohse, age 89, passed away peacefully on Feb. 8, 2024, at Sienna Crest Assisted Living Facility in Oregon. He was born on Dec. 23, 1934, in Marinette, Wis., the son of Gladys and Walter Bohse.

Skip graduated from Marinette High School in 1952 and received his Bachelor of Science degree in industrial education from University of Wisconsin - Platteville in 1956.  While attending UWP he also played football under legendary coach, Butch Leitl.  Skip earned his master’s degree in industrial education from UW-Platteville in 1970. He proudly served in the U.S. Army.

Skip was united in marriage to Bonnie Joyce Behrendt on June 22, 1963, in Marinette.  Skip got his first teaching job at Iowa Grant High School and the family resided in Montfort, Wis.  The family moved to Oregon in 1970, where Skip worked as a teacher at Oregon High School and served as OHS cross country coach and was also in involved with other high school athletics.  He was well known as a high school football referee having led a crew that refereed around southern Wisconsin for decades. He retired after 25 years of teaching Oregon’s youth.

Skip was very active in the Oregon community. He served as the building inspector for the Village of Oregon, was involved in several building projects for Habitat for Humanity and was instrumental in the formation of Oregon’s first Pop Warner football program.

Skip was a talented wood worker and designed and built the family’s first two homes in Oregon. He was an active member of Holy Mother of Consolation Church, and his woodworking creations continue to be on display at both HMC and at Peoples United Methodist Church where his wife, Bonnie, was an active member.

Skip is survived by his son, Dirk (Kristen); daughter, Barbara (Steve) McKenna; grandchildren, Jeremy, Nicholas and Nathaniel McKenna, and Jacob Bohse; niece, Wendy Bennett; sister-in-law, Joni Behrendt; in-laws; and a host of other relatives and lifelong friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie; parents; sister, Nancy Bohse Pleshek; and in-laws, Norman and Margaret Behrendt.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at HOLY MOTHER OF CONSOLATION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 651 N. Main St., Oregon, at 11 am on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 am until the start of the Mass on Saturday.

The family extends a very special Thank You to Mandie, Kim, Nadeen, Sue, and all the incredible staff at Sienna Crest Assisted Living in Oregon, for the outstanding care they provided Skip in his final year of life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Skip’s honor to Habitat for Humanity (www.habitat.org).

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.  

Gunderson Oregon

Funeral & Cremation Care

1150 Park St.

(608) 835-3515