Doris Litscher-Gasser | 1928 - 2019 | Obituary
Doris Litscher-Gasser, died on July 16, 2019. She was born October 23, 1928 at the Leland WI home of her parents, Carl and Grace Litscher. Doris was active in the Sauk Prairie Historical Society. She was a writer and artist. For many years she interviewed area people and documented their life stories in the Sauk Prairie Star newspaper. Up until her death she enjoyed making holiday tray favors for the elderly. She was a proud graduate of the University of Wisconsin. During her work years, she taught in several one-room schoolhouses. She also taught school for military dependents in Japan for sixteen years. While in Japan, she immersed herself in the Japanese culture and shared those experiences with her family whenever she returned to the United States. Doris struggled with mental illness throughout her life. She was supported by many caring people in the community. The employees of Sauk Prairie Market, Sauk Prairie Taxi, and Giegerich’s Sons Printing are worthy of special mention. Doris is survived by her sister Marion, sister-in-law Shirley (Alan) Albers, sister-in-law Jane Litscher, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers Lenard Litscher and David Litscher. A memorial service will be held at 5: 00 pm on Thursday, August 1, 2019 at Bethlehem United Methodist Church, Black Hawk, WI. A visitation will be from 3 pm until the time of the service. |
Below are just a few interviews and stories written by Doris that have a Plain/Franklin Township connection or are just interesting. More can be found at the Sauk Prairie Area Historical Society located at the Tripp Heritage Museum, 565 Water St, Prairie Du Sac, WI 53578. Check the website for hours: https://www.saukprairiehistory.org/.
Please credit the Sauk Prairie Area Historical Society and Doris Litscher-Gasser when using any of this information in your research. Just click on the titles below and a PDF should open. Father Frank Brickl reminisces Edwin (Junior) Sprecher Gisela Kraemer Bavarian Visitors 1994 Ann Kraemer - Frank Father Laurer's gift Irish Valley Reunion Adella Hetzel Sister Mary Agnes Wintermantels - Schmiedlin Branch reunion Sauk County Normal - 100 Years Old Statues by the Road - Dr. Evermor This time it's Doris's turn - Doris Litscher Gasser Monastery of the Valley of Our Lady Jacob Wintermantel Ernest & Frieda Koenig - Lodde's Mill Cramers of Prairie du Sac Calvin Cramer WWII Cal & Patricia Cramer Les Cramer WW II |
For people interested in Doris Litscher Gasser’s book "Honey Creek Hamlets," below is the link:
https://dorislitschergasser.wordpress.com/author/dorislitschergasser/ You can download the book as a PDF.
https://dorislitschergasser.wordpress.com/author/dorislitschergasser/ You can download the book as a PDF.
Sauk Prairie Star (Sauk City, Wisconsin) – October 11, 2018
Doris Litscher Gasser collects the history of the Sauk Prairie area
Doris Litscher Gasser collects the history of the Sauk Prairie area
Doris Litscher Gasser has spent her life teaching and telling the stories of residents in and around Sauk Prairie. In doing to, she has compiled over 5,000 pages of work, bound in countless volumes, that filled three tables in the Tripp Museum in Prairie du Sac. Recently, a group of friends celebrated her life and work with a display at the Sauk Prairie Grill.
From teaching in tiny schoolhouses in the region to living in Japan for over a decade, Gasser has lived a rich life. Perhaps her most important contribution has been as a historian, recording the lives and stories of those who lived in the area. In addition, she has recorded the history of small communities to the west of Sauk Prairie-Denzer, among others-in multi volume collection.
Gasser first appeared in the pages of the Sauk Prairie Star in 1954, featured in a cartoon series she drew. Eventually, she wrote a column, simply titled "Doris", where she covered topics ranging from interviews of local residents to holidays to reflections on Japan.
One of the most enduring aspects of Gasser's contributions in her beautiful artwork. Undeniably talented, letters and communications from Gasser are nearly always accompanied by a color sketch or drawing, often depicting life in simpler times.
The best source of information on Gasser's life comes from a 1994 interview, by her sister Marion Litscher Ericksen, in the Sauk Prairie Star.
Gasser was born on October 23, 1928, on a farm on County Road PF. Born of "pure German Swiss stock," her grandfather came from Switzerland when he was 17, while her grandmother came from Germany when she was 12.
Gasser's family farm was located about 15 miles west of Prairie du Sac. From the article: "We didn't go away very often. It wasn't necessary. We had the most beautiful things in the world right where we were, hills all around us to climb about in the summertime and knolls at the foot of the hills for sledding in the winter."
She continues, "Country school was great. I liked the fact that we had to walk 2 miles to school." Education would prove to be an important part of Gasser's life. "My teachers were dear people."
Gasser attended Prairie du Sac High School and graduated in 1946. She then attended the Sauk County Normal [school] in Reedsburg and graduated in 1948. Gasser began her career in education "teaching in one room rural schools in Honey Creek, Stone, and Irish Valley."
Gasser had all kinds of duties at the school: "One time we were running out of kindling and I didn't want to bother anyone so I took (yes, I had permission), my father's two-ton Dodge truck with my little brother, David, along and went up to our wood-sawing site near Oscar Rischmuellers and loaded a half a load of slabs. We delivered them to the wood shed of the school ready for me to slit for kindling to start fires."
Doris then taught at Badger Village in the early 50's. "A highlight for me was the time Evelyn Schoenoff and I wrote and directed the Christmas play for 300 children." Doris then returned home to teach at Tower Rock consolidated school.
She eventually received a bachelor's degree from Platteville State College and her master's from UW-Madison in 1961. She eventually taught college students at Sheboygan County Normal.
Doris then joined the Army around the late 50's. "I decided to join the Army and teach American children of military families." She headed to Camp Zama, in Japan. Having just arrived, Gasser explains, "They introduced me to the General. It was delightful. I felt like a million dollars." Gasser was transferred to Kuma Station, on the island of Hokkiado. "It was exciting. Hokkaido was wonderful from day one." She was transferred back to Camp Zama a year later, her one-year assignment having ended.
While there Gasser had an art exhibit of her own on display. "It was necessary for me to paint all night-sometimes to complete my pictures."
Gasser eventually returned to Prairie du Sac in the mid-70's and her interest in local history blossomed. By the early 80's she had begun writing about local people and histories, and has not stopped since. Thousands of pages later and three tables full of books show her dedication to the task. Throughout the years she wrote a column for the Sauk Prairie Star entitled "Doris."
At the gathering late last month to celebrate Gasser at the Sauk Prairie Grill, it was clear the love and respect her friends have for her. Moreover, she has, through her writings and friendships, touched so many in the area. Gasser is perhaps the preeminent historian of the Sauk Prairie area.
https://www.nsarrow.com/story/2018/10/11/community/doris-litscher-gasser-collects-the-history-of-the-sauk-prairie-area/5760.html
From teaching in tiny schoolhouses in the region to living in Japan for over a decade, Gasser has lived a rich life. Perhaps her most important contribution has been as a historian, recording the lives and stories of those who lived in the area. In addition, she has recorded the history of small communities to the west of Sauk Prairie-Denzer, among others-in multi volume collection.
Gasser first appeared in the pages of the Sauk Prairie Star in 1954, featured in a cartoon series she drew. Eventually, she wrote a column, simply titled "Doris", where she covered topics ranging from interviews of local residents to holidays to reflections on Japan.
One of the most enduring aspects of Gasser's contributions in her beautiful artwork. Undeniably talented, letters and communications from Gasser are nearly always accompanied by a color sketch or drawing, often depicting life in simpler times.
The best source of information on Gasser's life comes from a 1994 interview, by her sister Marion Litscher Ericksen, in the Sauk Prairie Star.
Gasser was born on October 23, 1928, on a farm on County Road PF. Born of "pure German Swiss stock," her grandfather came from Switzerland when he was 17, while her grandmother came from Germany when she was 12.
Gasser's family farm was located about 15 miles west of Prairie du Sac. From the article: "We didn't go away very often. It wasn't necessary. We had the most beautiful things in the world right where we were, hills all around us to climb about in the summertime and knolls at the foot of the hills for sledding in the winter."
She continues, "Country school was great. I liked the fact that we had to walk 2 miles to school." Education would prove to be an important part of Gasser's life. "My teachers were dear people."
Gasser attended Prairie du Sac High School and graduated in 1946. She then attended the Sauk County Normal [school] in Reedsburg and graduated in 1948. Gasser began her career in education "teaching in one room rural schools in Honey Creek, Stone, and Irish Valley."
Gasser had all kinds of duties at the school: "One time we were running out of kindling and I didn't want to bother anyone so I took (yes, I had permission), my father's two-ton Dodge truck with my little brother, David, along and went up to our wood-sawing site near Oscar Rischmuellers and loaded a half a load of slabs. We delivered them to the wood shed of the school ready for me to slit for kindling to start fires."
Doris then taught at Badger Village in the early 50's. "A highlight for me was the time Evelyn Schoenoff and I wrote and directed the Christmas play for 300 children." Doris then returned home to teach at Tower Rock consolidated school.
She eventually received a bachelor's degree from Platteville State College and her master's from UW-Madison in 1961. She eventually taught college students at Sheboygan County Normal.
Doris then joined the Army around the late 50's. "I decided to join the Army and teach American children of military families." She headed to Camp Zama, in Japan. Having just arrived, Gasser explains, "They introduced me to the General. It was delightful. I felt like a million dollars." Gasser was transferred to Kuma Station, on the island of Hokkiado. "It was exciting. Hokkaido was wonderful from day one." She was transferred back to Camp Zama a year later, her one-year assignment having ended.
While there Gasser had an art exhibit of her own on display. "It was necessary for me to paint all night-sometimes to complete my pictures."
Gasser eventually returned to Prairie du Sac in the mid-70's and her interest in local history blossomed. By the early 80's she had begun writing about local people and histories, and has not stopped since. Thousands of pages later and three tables full of books show her dedication to the task. Throughout the years she wrote a column for the Sauk Prairie Star entitled "Doris."
At the gathering late last month to celebrate Gasser at the Sauk Prairie Grill, it was clear the love and respect her friends have for her. Moreover, she has, through her writings and friendships, touched so many in the area. Gasser is perhaps the preeminent historian of the Sauk Prairie area.
https://www.nsarrow.com/story/2018/10/11/community/doris-litscher-gasser-collects-the-history-of-the-sauk-prairie-area/5760.html