Elmer G. Dorava

Elmer George Dorava, age 84 of Irma, WI passed away on Friday April 22, 2016 at his home in Skanawan Township. Elmer was born February 4, 1932 to Fred “Fritz” and Julia (Redwine) Dorava in Perkinstown. Elmer attended the one-room Roosevelt (North) School in Perkinstown. He graduated from Hannibal High School in 1950. He enlisted in the US Navy right out of high school and served in the Seabees. He was in Korea during the war and he also spent time in Japan and the Philippines, among other places. On February 15, 1953 he married Bette Russell of Jump River, WI. For nearly all of their years together Elmer & Bette lived in Skanawan where they raised five children. Having completed his tour of duty in the Navy, Elmer & Bette Dorava purchased and operated the Perkinstown Garage. Simultaneously, Elmer was employed with the DNR in Taylor County. In addition to his regular duties there, he manned the Perkinstown Fire Tower and acted as “Smokey the Bear” at various parades and county fairs. In 1960 Elmer transferred to the DNR office in Tomahawk. During his early years he served as a mechanic, forest fire fighter and truck driver. Eventually he became supervisor for the DNR’s Tomahawk location. He retired in 1990. For more than 30 years Elmer volunteered as Santa Claus for the Tomahawk school district’s kindergarten classes. Elmer loved the outdoors and was a skilled hunter. He especially enjoyed hunting trips to South Dakota and fishing trips to Isle Royal. He and Bette were able to make several trips to Alaska after retirement. Elmer was widely known for his ability to repair tractors, bulldozers, ships, boat engines, trucks and just about anything mechanical. He was always willing to help his neighbors, often without them even asking. Elmer was a caring kind-hearted man who loved his family and friends. He freely shared his smile, his laughter and his quick wit. Anyone coming to the Dorava home was always welcomed. There was a fresh pot of coffee brewing and no-one left without being offered something to eat. Visitors commonly left the Dorava home fulfilled with Elmer’s experience and knowledge, his humorous anecdotes and ample encouragement to return. Elmer is survived by his wife Bette of 63 years and their five children -Sandra Prebeg of Sun Prairie, WI; Cynthia (John) Schaffer of Tomahawk, WI; Larry (Joyce) of Rhinelander, WI; Joseph (Anne) of Wausau, WI; and Edwin of Represa, CA. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren- Melanie Dorava (Joe Messenlehner), Jason Dorava, Melissa McGinnis, Alexander Prebeg, Angela (Sam) Bourassa, Joshua Schaffer, Kelly (Kameron) Haugen, Jared Schaffer, Nikolas (Susana) Dorava and Dylan Dorava. He left behind 6 great-grandchildren: Paris Haugen, Lucas Messenlehner, Kaitlyn Messenlehner, Jacob Messenlehner, Emily Bourassa and Isaac Bourassa. He is also survived by three sisters Deloris Larson, Clarice Heier and Nancy Dorava all of Medford, WI and sister-in-law Sue Dorava of Merrill, WI. Two brothers James (Marge) of Fountain Hills, AZ and Fred (Betty) Dorava Jr. of Medford, WI also survive him. Elmer is preceded in death by his parents, a brother Robert and an infant son Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday April 29, 2016 at Krueger Family Funeral Home in Tomahawk, WI. Funeral services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 100 Polk Street, Merrill, WI on Saturday April 30th at 11:00 a.m. Following the funeral, a graveside service with Military Honors will be held at the Perkinstown Community Cemetery, Perkinstown, WI. The Krueger Family Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. You may view the full obituary and leave online condolences at www.kruegerfamilyfuneral.com