Thomas Doering

Thomas Richard Doering passed away Thursday, August 7, 2014.

He was born February 28th, 1925, in Viroqua, WI to Kurt R. and Carol (Mork) Doering.

After high school he joined the Merchant Marines and served his country in WWII. He worked on military bases on both coasts and his missions took him around the world. He maintained special friendships with a few buddies from the service and always enjoyed telling stories about their adventures hitchhiking across the United States. After returning home, he met the love of his life, Ardelle Rudser on a blind date with lifelong friends Palmer and Donna Johnson. Tom and Ardelle were married April 22nd, 1950.
Together they raised 4 children, Richard (Barbara), Kathryn (Bud) Walker, Nancy (John) Rieder all of the La Crosse area, and Linda (Gary) Vehrenkamp of Colorado. They celebrated a life well lived everyday and through the years enjoyed traveling, golfing, bowling, gambling and card playing together and with many special friends. They loved to host great parties with special celebrations for their 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries.

Early on Tom worked a variety of jobs at filling stations, Northern Engraving and even a short stint working for a mortician! He quickly learned he was a born salesman and sold for Wearever Cookware (from which he had many good stories about cooking for parties!). He made his career working for Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company. He was proud of his work and was committed to the people he met.
He loved being with people and believed in giving back to his community, which led him to his second career of volunteering. He volunteered for RSVP and Gundersen Lutheran for over 20 years and logged over 6,000 hours.

Tom is survived by Ardelle and all of his children and their spouses, seven grandchildren: Jessica (Ron) Vining, Phil (Heidi) Doering, Grace (Darrell) Johnson, Greta Walker, Eva Jane Rieder, and Carolyn and Jack Vehrenkamp. He has four great grandchildren: Malerie and Hayden Vining, Lauren Doering and Eleanor Johnson. He is also survived by his extended family, a special niece, Bev Kratt and a long list of treasured friends. Tom truly loved his family and he was happiest when his home was filled with people. He was an entertaining Grandpa, and his marching parades were famous.

Faith was important to him, and he and Ardelle have been members of St Paul's Lutheran Church for 60 years.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, August 11, 2014 at St Paul's Lutheran Church, 420 West Ave South, La Crosse, WI. Pastor Tom Meyer will officiate. Entombment will take place in the Garden of Peace Mausoleum, Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to St Paul's Lutheran Church or Gundersen Lutheran Volunteer Services.
Tom was a kind man and a true gentleman. He was fun to be around and looked at the bright side of life. He had a quick wit and was always up for the next adventure. There was never a person or meal he didn't like and he never passed up a good time. Thanks for all the wonderful memories. We’ll remember him with the joy that rang in his voice when he said one of his favorite phrases, “Live it to the hilt!”…..and he did! He will be deeply missed. The family would like to acknowledge the staff at Clare Bridge and Dr. Marcia Kendall for their loving care.