Florence – Oscar "Otto" E. Ghere, 87, of Florence, Wis., passed away Monday, March 28, 2022, at his home surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer.

Otto was born March 1, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, son of the late Oscar E. Sr. and Catherine (Lindgren) Ghere. Otto grew up in Des Plaines, Illinois, and attended Maine Township High School.

On January 9, 1954, he married the love of his life, Eleanore E. Stricker. The couple resided in Chicago, where Otto worked for several Ford dealerships before moving to Florence, Wis., in 1963.

When the family moved to Florence, Otto worked for several automotive dealerships in the Iron Mountain area as Parts Manager and Service Manager.

In 1977, Otto left the auto industry and ventured out on his own, starting Otto Ghere and Son Custom Home Builders with his youngest son, Rich. The two built and remodeled homes together for the next 20 years.
Otto finished his working life with Florence Utilities as a part-time employee, saying it was the most enjoyable job he ever had, fully retiring in 2015.

In his retirement, Otto enjoyed woodworking, building furniture, toys, and other items for his children and grandchildren, who were his greatest love.

Otto served on the Florence County School Board, was honored to be Grand Marshal of the once-famous Florence Labor Day Parade, and coached all three of his sons in Little League. He was also a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church.

Otto was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was extremely proud of his family, and his greatest joy was simply spending time with his loved ones. Otto always remarked that his greatest achievement in life was raising his four children.

Survivors include his loving wife of 68 years, Eleanore; his sister Joyce (Florence) Martinson; sons, James "Jim" (Kathy) Ghere and Nicholas "Nick" (Shelly) Ghere; daughter, Ellen (Bob) Paulus; daughter-in-law Robbin Ghere; twelve grandchildren, James Jr, (Jamie) Ghere, Dan Ghere, Matt Ghere, Brian (Kristin) Ghere, Rachel (John) Zahnen, Andrea (Jason) Badiang, Laura (Matt) Heaton, Sara (Dan) Davis, Michael (Annie) Ghere, Stephen Ghere, Taylor (Julie) Ghere, and Kerstyn (Mitch) Cornelsen; and by 15 great-grandchildren. Otto is also survived by his life-long best friend and brother-in-law, Rich Bigalke.

In addition to his parents, Otto was preceded in death by his youngest son, Richard, and his sister Betty Lue Symkiewicz.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 28, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m., at the Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home, Florence, Wis. A Memorial Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Florence. Rev. Fr. Albert Balderas will officiate. Friends and family are invited to gather for fellowship after Mass at a luncheon in the church hall.

Donations may be made directly to St Jude's Children's Hospital at stjude.org/donatetoday.

Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Oscar's family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com.

The family has chosen the Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home & Crematory, Florence, Wis., to honor Oscar's legacy of life.