Obituary for (Mary) Eloise Wottke

Eloise earned certification as an airman by the Civil Aeronautics Administration, Beckley College and Beckley Air Transportation Inc. on February 18, 1941. She worked for Piper Aircraft in Loch Haven, PA as an inspector and flew aircrafts from the factory to air fields.

She married Kurt Wottke, another inspector from Piper Aircraft. They were married on April 9, 1944 at Raleigh, NC Hayes Barton Baptist Church. The couple adopted daughters Jean and Joan in 1962. After the girls were grown, Eloise and Kurt moved from La Crescent, MN to Port Orange, FL. They enjoyed the weather there for 22 years.

Eloise is survived by her daughters, Jean (Richard) Osweiler and Joan (Patrick) Smith of Holmen; grandchildren, Nathan (Maggie) Smith and Amy (Jacob) Hanson also of Holmen; five great-grandchildren, Jaxon, Marriner, and Tatum Smith and Hayden and Hunter Hanson; and extended family Mike and Edie Smith of Monument, CO.

Eloise enjoyed the company of kitty cats, especially Mikey. She also had a great time playing BINGO at the Onalaska Care Center. Eloise also enjoyed the special activities at the care center.

She was a life long member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in La Crosse, WI and Port Orange, FL. She had beautiful handwriting and wrote hundreds of cards to church members as part of the Sunshine Committee.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Onalaska Care Center for over 13 years of care.

A family gathering will be held at a later date.

Fredrickson Funeral Home, Woodruff Chapel, La Crosse, is assisting the family.

Online condolences may be offered on this website.