Genevieve M. Dooley-Escher

LODI/MONTICELLO-Genevieve Escher, 96, died on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 after a brief illness at Our House Assisted Living in Lodi where she had been living for the last 2 ½ years. Gen was born in Brodhead, on March 18, 1915 and growing up during the depression meant many moves. She attended five different country schools, three of which were during her seventh grade year. She graduated from Monticello High School in 1932 and had the honor of being the first prom queen in 1930. She was married to Fred Escher on October 9 1935 and they had two children, Shirley Schommer and Bill Escher, both of Lodi. In 1965, Fritz and Gen went to Venezuela to start a Swiss cheese plant and he became ill due to a vaccination. She was his caregiver for the next 16 years and also for her mother for seven more years. Gen is survived by her children, Shirley (Jim) Schommer and Bill Escher; six grandchildren, Tim (Terri) Escher, Jane (Peter) Bulovsky, Mike (Peggy) Schommer, Tom Schommer, Sara (Marty) Arnold and Mary (Peter) Drljaca and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edmund Dooley and Elvira Clark-Dooley; her husband, Fred; sister, Helen Cairns; brothers Bernard and Clark Dooley and a daughter-in-law, Barbara Escher. Funeral services will be held at FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 258 Lodi Street, Lodi at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 12, 2012, with the Reverend Gretchen Lord Anderson presiding. A private family burial will be held in Monticello. Visitation will be on Thursday from 9:00 AM until the time of the services at the church. Memorials may be given to the First Presbyterian Church, Vilas Zoo or the Lodi Area Community Endowment Fund. Cemetery: A private family burial will be held in Monticello. Visitation will be on Thursday from 9:00 AM until the time of the services at the church. Funeral services will be held at FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 258 Lodi Street, Lodi at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 12, 2012, with the Reverend Gretchen Lord Anderson presiding.