David Thomas Drotning

Drotning, David T.

Stoughton- David Thomas Drotning, age 82, Stoughton, passed away peacefully in the loving presence of his family on Monday, September 22, 2008. He was born in Stoughton, Wisconsin, to Alvin and Amy (Hanson) Drotning on December 20, 1925. They lived on the family farm near Stoughton, where he graduated from Stoughton High School in 1943. David married Florence Leonhardt in 1948; they farmed the original Drotning homestead until 1959 when the Interstate split the farm and forced them to find another. They then bought their farm on Spring Road near Utica where they milked cows and raised crops and tobacco, making many improvements to the farm until they retired from milking in 1988. During retirement, Dave helped his neighbor farmers and always found something to work on or cleanup on the farm. He loved music, playing trombone in high school; he encouragedhis sons to also play instruments. He and Florence made quite the couple on the dance floor and they traveled some distance when a good polka band was playing. Dave was a Knight of Pythias and later a 32^nd degree Mason. He was a member of Western Koshkonong Lutheran Church where, always the farmer, he helped mow the lawns during retirement. He liked crosswordpuzzles and books like those of Mike Royko, and he often had a wry comment. When his eyesight failed he turned to television news to keep up with the events. He was a good neighbor and loving husband to Florence, his wife of 57 years. He had a passion for pets and especially his Norwegian Elkhounds. He is survived by his three sons: Charles, of Madison; William (Christine), of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Peter (Marsha), of Las Vegas, Nevada; five grandchildren: Elizabeth (Seth) Hartwell, Albuquerque, NM; Kari (Marty) Hunt, Morrisonville; Anne Drotning, Ellie Drotning, and Ted Drotning, all of Madison; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Florence, his parents, brother Edward, sister Elizabeth Dittmer, and two grandsons, Eric and Michael Drotning. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 26, 2008 at 11:00 am at Western Koshkonong Lutheran Church, 2633 Church Rd., Cottage Grove, with the Rev. Thomas Heyn officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. The family will greet friends on Thursday, September 25 from 4:00pm until 7:00 pm at the Olson-Holzhuter-Cress Funeral Home in Stoughton, and again at church on Friday from 10:00 am until the time of service. The Drotning family thanks the many friends, neighbors, relatives, and helpers for their loving thoughts, prayers, and support of David. We are especially grateful to the loving care of Dad provided by the staff of Skaalen Home in Stoughton and HospiceCare. Memorials may be made to Western Koshkonong Lutheran Church or Skaalen Home.

 

 

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