Estelle was born on May 17, 1920, to the late Jacob and Christine Schaff in the town of Stetsonville. She graduated from Medford High School on 1937, followed by a teaching certificate in 1939 from Medford Normal School. She began her teaching career in one room country schools in the rural Medford area.
On July 31, 1943 she married Edward A. Bohte and moved to the Bohte Family Farm in the Town of Greenwood, where she resided the past 75 years.
In 1955 Estelle resumed her teaching career in the kindergarten classrooms of Rib Lake, Westboro, and Greenwood schools. She also continued working towards her college Bachelor’s Degree, which she received in 1963 from UW-Stevens Point.
Estelle was passionate about farming, keeping up on current events, liked to play cards, and enjoyed all her friends and neighbors.
Estelle is survived by her children, Anna (Kevin) Taylor of Henderson, NV, Beverly VanderKoy of Kronenwetter, Edward (Candy) Bohte of Merrill, and John (Beverly) Bohte of Wausau; 9 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, sister-in-law, Dorothy Wiegel, and many nieces and nephews in 3 generations.
In addition to her husband and parents, Estelle is preceded in death by one grandson, Scott VanderKoy; brothers, Aloysius “Red” and Nicholas Schaff; sisters, Jeannette Nelson, and twins Marie Wilson and Margaret Schaff.
A Funeral Mass for Estelle will take place at 11:00 AM on Friday, July 20, 2018 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Rib Lake, with Father Otto Bucher officiating. Burial will follow at St. Ann’s Cemetery. Visitation will take place on Thursday, July 19, 2018 at Hemer Funeral Home – Medford Chapel from 4:00 PM until the time of a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue at Good Shepherd Catholic Church on Friday, July 20, 2018 from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Estelle’s name may be given to the family for use a later designation.
Hemer Funeral Service of Medford and Rib Lake has been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.hemerfuneralservice.com
