Vicki Lynn Schoate

MONONA - Vicki Schoate, born Vicki Lynn Larson, in Lena Ill., on Jan. 25, 1948, left this existence fighting tooth and nail, on Jan. 10, 2022.

In life Vicki was free-spirited, therefore ended up marrying three times and producing four children, by men who found her strong willed and opinionated. Two of the three husbands proceeded her in death, being unable to keep up with her antics.

Being a single mother the majority of the time, Vicki looked forward to brief forays away from the children, or, failing actually leaving the house, would nap whenever possible; mid-morning, afternoon, pre-bed...

Vicki didn't believe in being sick and dubbed it "gross;" she was never sick, ever. All this caught up with her as she and the Angel of Death had cause to disagree on her exit from this plane. She had an unidentified "something" on her lungs, which she dutifully ignored. She also developed COPD, shrugging it off, as it didn't hinder her nap schedule nor her enjoyment of eating Nutella right out of the jar on a regular basis. (Ruffles and gas station cappuccino also topped her list of go to foods for a time.)

At the most recent family gathering over Christmas, Vicki ended up drunk from eating four Bailey's Irish Cream truffles, having to exit the party early, but not before drinking in the sight of her children and grandchildren having fun together. Her comment at the time was, "it felt like something out of a TV show."

As if deciding all the bad food, difficulty breathing, and complete lack of anything resembling exercise wasn't forwarding his aims, Death took a more direct approach by adding strep throat, pneumonia, and (possibly) a small stroke, to nudge Vicki towards her exit, at which time she "didn't feel well."

Using the available pandemic as a new tool, Death added Covid-19 to the list of ailments citing, "her time to go." While this caused her to end up in the hospital, she continued to decline Death's invitation to join him, even upon discovery of congestive heart failure.

Realizing Vicki was no amateur, Death took off the gloves and induced cardiac arrest. Still, she hung on while her children decided if heroic measures should be continued; once they agreed she would want to be let go, she promptly coded in the hospital, exiting with Death to take a long, much deserved nap.

Not wanting a funeral and being a consummate tree hugger, Vicki has been cremated, with some of her ashes being made into a "tree person" by one or more offspring at some point in the future. A potluck/picnic will be held at Token Creek (Shelter No. 3) in DeForest, Wis., on Saturday, May 21, 2022, from noon until 5:30 p.m.

Aside from her four children, Vicki is survived by several step-children; two sisters; a cat; several grand-cat;, and two granddaughters, all of whom expected nothing less from this beautiful and courageous soul. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com <http://www.gundersonfh.com>.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420