Frederick Oomens

Frederick Walter Oomens, 81, of Platteville, Wisconsin, died at home, surrounded by family, on Friday, April 3, 2020. There will be no memorial services held at this time, but a memorial mass and celebration of Fred's life will be held at a later date. The Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, is serving the family. A memorial fund is being established in loving memory of Frederick W. Oomens. Online condolences can be made at www.melbyfh.com.

Fred was born March 13, 1939, in Chicago, IL son of John and Isabelle (Marshall) Oomens. He was married to Catherine (Kay) Louise Palzkill on July 13, 1963, in Mineral Point, WI. Fred spent his youthful summers at the farm of Uncle Fred and Aunt Odessa Marshall in Ithaca, WI. After graduating from Maine Township High School in 1956, Fred joined the U.S. Navy as a member of the Ellyson Helicopter Training Group earning the status of Aviation Machinist Mate P.O. 3rd Class and served for two years in Pensacola, FL. After service, he returned to Chicago, and decided to work at the post office in Glenview, IL. After a year at the post office, Fred enrolled at Wisconsin State College and Institute of Technology (UW- Platteville) and majored in Agricultural Education.

Fred and Kay met at Wisconsin State College and Institute of Technology (UW-Platteville). Fred was employed at the Soil Conservation Services at Janesville, WI and Chippewa Falls, WI. He held teaching positions at Bloomington, WI and Wisconsin State University at Platteville (WSUP). Fred earned a Master's degree at WSUP and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Agricultural Education (Phd) from University of Missouri at Columbia. After spending eight years building the Agricultural Mechanics program at NWMSU, Fred and family returned to southwest Wisconsin where Fred was a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Fred spent the remainder of his professional career influencing collegiate minds and lives for 22 years retiring in 2000. He especially enjoyed being an advisor to the Alpha Gamma Rho organization as well as President of Platteville High School Sports Boosters Club, and many other organizations as well as St. Augustine's Church.

Spending time with family, woodworking, travelling and enjoying his grandchildren and great grandchildren brought immense joy to Fred's life. He enjoyed hunting in his woods and fishing in Canada with his sons. Fred will be dearly missed by his wife, Kay, and his 3 children: Kim and (Ken) Thorsen of Elizabeth, IL; Scott and (Jill) Oomens of Dodgeville, WI; Doug (Jen) Oomens of Lake Geneva, WI as well as 6 grandchildren: Kyle (Tamara) Thorsen, Kurt Thorsen, Jacob (Terisa) Oomens, Trevor Oomens, Courtney Oomens, Allison Oomens and 2 great grandchildren: Dominic and Holly Thorsen. He is survived by his sisters: Ada (Jerry) Tobin and Ruby (Carroll) Sheafor and close cousin, Don Oomens. Fred was preceded in death by his parents.

Gratitude of thanks and appreciation for the support and assistance of the Grant County Hospice. Special thanks to Nurse Kim, Annette, Jane, and Mareeta for all their help. Extreme gratitude and thanks to Dr. White.