Obituaries
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Oral E. Congdon, Jr., age 91 of Dousman, WI, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 16, 2017 with his daughters at his side.
Oral was born on November 21, 1925 in Kenosha and was the son of Oral E., Sr. and Esther (Larsen) Congdon.
He was a star athlete at Kenosha High School (Bradford), lettering in football, basketball and track. After graduating in 1944, his principal, George N. Tremper, took him to Northwestern University in Evanston, IL where he was offered a football scholarship. Oral was the first Kenoshan to receive a scholarship to a Big Ten school. He graduated from Northwestern in 1948.
Oral married Dorothy Schackmuth of Kenosha on September 29, 1945 in Wilmette, IL. They were blessed with four loving daughters and 67 years of marriage.
A lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church, where he met Dorothy (when they were 10 years old), he served as a Deacon, a Trustee and an Elder. He also taught Sunday school for many years.
Oral was Division Sales Manager for Primrose Oil Company of Dallas, TX. When he retired Oral and Dorothy spent their winters in Clearwater, FL. They enjoyed numerous happy holidays and vacations with their nine grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren.
His various civic activities included serving on the committee to raise funds to bring Carthage College to Kenosha and serving on the Board of Directors and youth advisor at the Christian Youth Council. He was a perpetual member of Southport Lodge #343 F. and A.M., member of Humphrey Lodge #364 in Dousman, member and former ambassador of Tripoli Shrine of Milwaukee and the Kenosha Shrine Club. Oral was also a member of the Scottish Rite Milwaukee and Kenosha Scottish Rite Club.
Golf, travel, watching the Packers and being a lifelong Cubs fan were his favorite pastimes. Oral enjoyed his life membership of the “N” Club and the Northwestern University Alumni Association.
Oral is survived by his daughters, Susan (Jack) Raaths of Deer Park, IL, Marsha (Thomas) Ohlgart of Brookfield, WI, Sally (David) Christiansen of North Prairie, WI and Debra (James) Ellsworth of Genesee, WI; his sister, Marilyn (Edward) Schiller of Kenosha, brother-in-law, Glenn (Muffy) Schackmuth of Racine, WI, along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife, Dorothy Congdon.
Oral will be remembered as a loving husband, brother, father, grandfather and great grandfather. His family was his greatest blessing and legacy. He will be forever missed but never forgotten.
A special thank you is extended to the staff of Three Pillars Masonic Home for the exceptional care and loving friendship they gave to Oral and the family.
Service Date July 20, 2017
Funeral Services honoring Oral’s life will be held on Thursday, July 20, 2017 at 11:15 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 1803 83rd Street. Interment will follow in Green Ridge Cemetery.
