After a long, courageous and extremely hard-fought battle against ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), Douglas Larry Posorske, age 45, passed through the gates of heaven on January 8, 2011. He died peacefully and pain-free at Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh, with his family and an amazing number of close friends at his side.
Doug was born on December 9, 1965, the eldest child and only son of Larry and Karen Posorske of Berlin, WI. He married the love of his life, Margaret (Meg) Chier, on July 2, 1988, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Berlin, and together they had three beautiful children, Adam (20), Alyx (18), and Tony (14). A man of strong faith, Doug never gave up and thanked God each and every day for his family – the center of his universe.
Throughout his life, Doug worked hard to use the gifts and talents that God gave him and gracefully faced the challenges that life presented. In high school, Doug was active in sports, music and drama. He wrestled until open heart surgery his sophomore year ended his career. Failing to be discouraged, he turned to his musical talents. He enjoyed Swing Choir, starred in the annual school musicals, and entertained basketball fans with his polka skills during more than a few half-times.
Even though his heart condition ended his high school sports career, he remained a true sports fan until the very end. The Packers certainly were among his favorites (Sunday’s play-off victory must have been beautiful from heaven), but the teams he most loved to watch were from St. John Neumann Middle School and Lourdes High School. In fact, only two weeks before he died, Doug was able to cheer in person for both Tony’s 8th grade basketball team and the Lourdes boys’ basketball team, of which his nephews are a part.
An avid outdoorsman, Doug was gifted with a rifle and fishing rod. As a young boy, his favorite fishing and hunting companions were his Grandpa Willie and Dad. Doug was thrilled when his children, who inherited Doug’s passion for the outdoors, could also join him, and he loved the time he could spend with them at the farm. His proudest and most memorable hunting success story was “Nixon,” the 11-point buck he shot in October -- from 307 yards away -- during the 2010 Special Gun Deer Hunt, “Makin’ Memories,” sponsored by Badger Mining Corporation of Berlin (as part of the DNR’s annual disabled deer hunt).
Doug’s true passion, however, was his family. He was the best husband and father in the world, making sure that nothing interfered with his time with them. Rarely did he miss an event in which his children participated, and certainly there was no bigger fan of Adam, Alyx and Tony than Doug.
Doug graduated from Berlin High School in 1984 and went on to attend the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, where he graduated in 1991 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology. For the first five years after graduation, he worked for the Kendall Company in Green Bay, WI, where he was a Manufacturing Supervisor, Project Engineer, and then Maintenance Supervisor. From 1996-1999, he worked for Wisconsin Tissue, Menasha, WI, where he started as ASRS Maintenance Supervisor before becoming Project Engineer. In 1999, he joined Little Rapids Corp., Green Bay, WI, as its Senior Manufacturing Development Engineer. He worked until October 2009, when his physical weakness prevented further commutes. However, with his mind as sharp as ever, Doug was determined to fight his ALS, and continue his life in spite of it. Until just a few weeks ago, he was still communicating with his colleagues and offering up “unofficial” advice via email.
Doug will certainly be remembered for his happy-go-lucky attitude, quick wit and beautiful smile. And, when people listen to country music, especially Ronnie Milsap, they will think of Doug. However, what sets Doug apart from many others, and what everyone who knew Doug will remember forever, is his selfless love and concern for others. Not once did he complain about the ALS hand he was dealt; he faced his fate and daily challenges admirably and with grace. And, as an organ donor whose kidneys and liver were successfully transplanted within a day of his death, he gave the gift of life to three individuals. Doug is a hero and an inspiration to all whose paths he crossed.
Doug is survived by his wife, Meg; his three children, Adam, Alyx, and Anthony (“Tony”); his parents, Larry and Karen Posorske of Berlin; a sister, Brenda (Clint) Hartzke of Berlin; two grandfathers, Willard “Willie” Buchholz of Westfield, and Fritz Fude of Berlin; brothers and sisters-in-law, Laurene (Bob) Brooks, Terry (Gail) Chier; Andy (Stacy) Chier, and Matthew (Carey) Chier; mother-in-law, Georgeanne Chier; niece and Godchild, Caliber Hartzke; along with other nieces and nephews, Katera Hartzke; Joe, Jimmy and Jack Brooks; Laura and Claire Chier; Jenson, Sophie and Ella Chier; and Caden and Chiara Chier. He is also survived by two aunts, Mary Rivera and Deloris Hencke; and special family friend, Bonnie Gellerup-Herbst, whose “Thursdays with Doug” will never be forgotten. He was preceded in death by his sister, Debbie Posorske; his father-in-law, Michael Chier; two grandmothers, Twila Fude and Esther Buchholz; and a grandfather, Stanley Posorske.
The family wishes to thank all those who were a part of Doug’s last days. The family is overwhelmed, humbled and extremely grateful to the many, many people who prayed, spent time at the hospital, brought in meals and snacks, and sent well wishes each and every day since Doug was admitted to Mercy. The family also wishes to acknowledge and thank Mercy’s ICU staff, particularly Dr. Steven Zander; Dr. Roger Boye; Dawn Auclair, RN; Karen Hartz, RN; Shelley Sterngagen, RN; Kerry Hoetschl, RN; Kelly Calkins, RN; Brittany Barribeau, RN; Lori Freund, RN; Dawn Swartz, RN; Kevin Pittenger, RN; Gudrun Hemminghaus, RN; Sue Klosterman, RN; Sally Marohn, RN; Patrick Hooey; Karla Berzowski; Samantha Romsos; Christal Bruesch; Max Stebbins; and Quinn Hucek, who went above and beyond what anyone expected in terms of time, attention, care and compassion.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, January 13, at 11 a.m. at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 830 Westhaven Drive, Oshkosh, the Rev. Doug LeCaptain officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to Barbola Funeral Chapel of Berlin.