Obit: Chernach, Violetta “Lota” (1924 - 2019)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Chernach, McBrien, Johnson, Shoemaker, Jones, Severson, Erickson

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson, Co., WI) 12/18/2019

Chernach, Violetta “Lolly” (18 November 1924 – 12 December 2019)

Violetta (Lolly) Chernach, age 95 of Merrillan, passed away on Thursday, December 12, 2019 at Aspirus Hospital in Iron River, MI.

She was born on November 18, 1924 in Neillsville, the daughter of Herman and Mary (McBrien) Johnson. She married Gus Shoemaker in 1943, and they had four sons together: Walter (Vickie), Leroy (Connie), Raymond (Kathy), and Greg Shoemaker. She was later married to Frank Chernach on December 2, 1961, and they had a son together, Jeff Chernach.

Lolly spent most of her life in and around Jackson County. She had many jobs over the years, working on the Shoemaker family farm in Alma Center, as a waitress at the Merrillan café, doing housekeeping for a variety of businesses and individuals, being a wife, mother, and a domestic goddess.

She enjoyed reading, knitting, and fishing when the opportunity arose. She was also an avid Packers fan. Later in life, she became more involved with being a member of the Merrillan Methodist Church and the Alma Center VFW Auxiliary.

She is survived by her sons: Walter (Vickie) Shoemaker, Raymond Shoemaker, and Jeff Chernach; seven grandchildren: Michelle (Shoemaker) Jones, Brad Shoemaker, Pam (Shoemaker) Severson, Vince (Rhonda) Shoemaker, Lance Shoemaker, Tyler Chernach, and Seth Chernach; eighteen great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren, five generations in five different families.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Frank Chernach; sons: Leroy and Greg Shoemaker; daughter in law, Kathy Shoemaker; and grandson, Joseph Chernach.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2020, at United Methodist Church, 307 E Pearl Street, Merrillan, with Pastor Meg Erickson officiating. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery in Merrillan.

Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home of Hixton is assisting family with arrangements.