Thomas J. Hotter

Stoughton- Thomas Joseph Hotter of Stoughton, Wisconsin passed onto eternal life on Saturday, May 27, 2023, surrounded by family and friends.

Tom was born on March 11, 1942, in Watertown, Wisconsin.  The third of three sons to Donald and Dorothy (Gerhke) Hotter, Tom was raised in Jefferson, Wisconsin.

A great athlete, Tom grew up in a time when students were able to play multiple high school sports in the same season.  As a result, he was able to compete and excel as a four-sport athlete, earning athletic letter honors in football, basketball, baseball and golf.  His prowess on the gridiron earned him a scholarship to the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Tom later transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where his team won the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship.  While invited to attend NFL training camp with the Minnesota Vikings, Tom’s football career was cut short due to injury.  He went on to earn an undergraduate degree in education from UW-Whitewater and later a master’s degree in both geography and guidance counseling.

Tom’s career focus turned to education and coaching.  He landed in Stoughton, Wisconsin where a long career ensued, first teaching geography and later serving as guidance counselor.  Throughout, Stoughton High School also gave Tom the opportunity to continue his love of athletics through coaching. He led the football team as head coach for several seasons and then also the boy’s golf team for over twenty years.  It was with the golf team where he was able to coach his son, Tommy.

Tom’s impact on students, athletes and colleagues is hard to quantify, he was loved by many.

In the twilight of his professional career, Tom turned his love of geography and maps into a map and print business.  He traveled the world buying and selling maps, prints and antiques.

Travel was a big part of Tom’s life.  Whether internationally to Europe or Asia, domestically from South Carolina to California, or regionally throughout the Midwest… Tom was eager to see and explore the world.  Later, his travels were limited to local excursions where he attended sporting events, theatrical performances and musical concerts…all to cheer on his grandchildren in their various endeavors.  His pride and love for his grandchildren knew no bounds.

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Suzanne S Hotter, son Thomas M Hotter (Amy) of Madison, WI and daughter Mya Hotter (Campbell) of Oakland, CA, as well as by stepchildren Mike Robbins (Katy) of Cypress, TX, Erin Mullins (Stu) of Solon, IA and Heather McGee (Jason) of Stoughton, WI.  He is further survived by grandchildren Anna, Joey, Luka, Casper, and Henry, as well as Victoria, Jackson, Riley, Ellie, Aidan and Cael.  Other surviving family members include brother Jon Hotter (Pat) and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by parents Donald and Dorothy (Gerhke) Hotter as well as by brother Donald Hotter Jr. (Betty).

The family has planned a public memorial at Cress Funeral Home in Stoughton, Wisconsin on Friday, June 16th, from 4PM to 7PM.  A private service for family members will be held at a later date.

Special thanks to the Stoughton Senior Center, as well as to the staff and caregivers at St. Mary’s Hospital (Madison), Nazareth Home (Stoughton), Milestone Senior Living (Stoughton), and Stoughton Hospital.  In particular, warm thanks to personal care attendants Cindy Aaberg & Tammie Houser, and also to the Agrace Hospice In-patient Care Unit (Fitchburg).

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be gifted to Agrace Hospice Foundation in the name of Thomas Joseph Hotter.

Please share your memories of Thomas by posting on his Tribute Wall.

Cress Funeral Services

206 W. Prospect Street, PO Box 231, Stoughton

(608) 873-9244