Florence C. Cootware

Florence C. 'Flo' (Rubach) Cootware, age 87, former Oconomowoc resident, died Sunday evening, November 19, 2017 at her daughters residence in Greenleaf, Wisconsin. Florence was born in Brown Deer, on February 2, 1930 to the late Carl A. Rubach and Amanda P. (Peterson) Rubach. She graduated from West Milwaukee High School and earned a bachelors degree in Education from the Wisconsin State College of Milwaukee (Now UWM) and a masters degree in Mathematics from Rutgers University in New Jersey. She married Robert F. Cootware on November 6, 1954 at Hales Corners Lutheran Church. He preceded her in death on December 29, 1978. Flo taught at Downer Seminary (University School of Milwaukee) for 13 years and Oconomowoc Junior & Senior High Schools from 1968 until retiring from teaching in 1998. Flo enjoyed working with students, announcing basketball games and scoring for volleyball games. She served fellow teachers as president of the OEA for many years. Flo was a longtime member of Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wales; she enjoyed singing tenor in the choir and playing the hand-bells; she also served as financial secretary for many years. Flo was an avid Packer fan, and will be greatly missed by her family. Survivors include two daughters & a son-in-law, Coleen and Steve Menden of Greenleaf, WI, Kathleen (Kat) Cootware of Manitowoc, WI; grandchildren: Christian Menden (McKenzie Bailey) of Green Bay, Amanda (Jimmie) Borchers of DePere and Sara DeBauch/Menden of Madison; two great grandchildren: Tyberius and Teagan Borchers; her canine companion, Maggie; along with several nieces, nephews and other relatives. In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by an infant son, Patrick Carl Cootware; two grandsons: Patrick Robert Menden and Robert Phillip Cootware; and a close family friend, Jennifer A. Young. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 25, 2017 at Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 470 N. Oak Crest Drive, Wales, WI 53183. Pastor Russell Kampfer will officiate at the service, with burial to follow in Highland Memorial Park, New Berlin. The family will greet relatives and friends at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at 10:30 a.m.