Sixth Generation

109. Betty Lou ABBOTT was born on 8 October 1931 in Monroe County, WI.¹¹⁹

Betty Lou ABBOTT and Melvin LaVern ROSCOVIUS were married on 10 June 1950 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^15,119 Melvin LaVern ROSCOVIUS, son of Carl Arnhold ROSCOVIUS and Dorothy Anna GERKE, was born on 3 June 1928 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.^24,120,121 He was baptized on 17 June 1928 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.¹²¹ He appeared in the census in 1930 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴⁶ Melvin graduated in 1946 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^120,122 from Tomah High School. He died on 13 March 2023 at the age of 94.¹²³ Obituary Notes: "Melvin L. Roscovius, 94, was called by the Lord Jesus to his eternal home in heaven on March 13, 2023. Melvin was a lifelong resident of the Tomah area, and spent the past 72 years married to Betty, the love of his life. Together they raised three children, and enjoyed spending time with and visiting their kids and grandchildren.

Melvin was born June 3, 1928, in the Town of Ridgeville to Carl and Dorothy (Gerke) Roscovius. He was baptized June 17, 1928, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ridgeville. He was raised on the family farm, attended the Ridgeville School in his early years, and graduated from Tomah High School in 1946. He continued working on the family farm, eventually marrying Betty on June 10, 1950. Together they farmed until 1957, when they sold the farm and moved to Tomah.

For the next 50-odd years, he sold used vehicles, worked as a salesman for La Crosse Liquor and General Beverage, and was the head custodian at Farmers and Merchants Bank in Tomah until retiring. He drove for Enterprise car rentals until retiring full-time in 2018. He faithfully attended St. Paul Lutheran Church for the past 72 years. Melvin enjoyed buying and selling used vehicles throughout his life. He would take his family on vacations every year, traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada with the family RV. Many summer weekends were spent camping throughout Wisconsin with his family and friends. He especially liked playing euchre and zilch, and attending the Buddy Reunion, a yearly weekend get-together of friends and family from his high school years. In his later years, he maintained a virtual fleet of John Deere riding mowers that he enjoyed tinkering with until the late hours. More than anything, Melvin enjoyed visits from his children and grandchildren. He was a devoted son, spouse, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather. He will be fondly remembered by all whose lives he touched with his gentleness, humility and generosity.

In addition to his parents, Melvin is further preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Lois and Raymond “Buck” Becher.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Betty (Abbott) Roscovius of Tomah; three sons: Chris (Dawn) Roscovius of Janesville; James (Liz) Roscovius of Sioux City, IA; and Scott (Naida) Roscovius of Cape Girardeau, MO; nine grandchildren: Kelly Roscovius of Beloit, and Jamie Pearson of Watertown; Krista Roscovius of Sioux City, IA, and Michael Roscovius of Omaha, NE; Brittany (Cody) Freymiller of La Crosse, Chelsea (Cody) Weadge of Holmen, Abigail (Coltyn) Von Deylan of Milwaukee, Danielle Roscovius of Sheboygan Falls, and Casey Roscovius of Cape Girardeau, MO; six great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, March 20, 2023, 11:00 AM at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, 525 Superior Ave. Tomah. Pastor Robert Gerke will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation on Monday at the church from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be offered by visiting www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.

Memorials in Melvin’s memory can be given to St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, Tomah; St. John Ev. Lutheran Church, Ridgeville; or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital."

Betty Lou ABBOTT and Melvin LaVern ROSCOVIUS had the following children: