John Oakeson

John Louis Oakeson

October 9, 1932 - February 10, 2025 

WAUNAKEE – John, age 92, passed away peacefully at Milestone Senior Living in Stoughton, WI. He was born to the late George and Lillian (Bandow) Oakeson and grew up on a small farm outside of Marinette, WI. He joined the Marine Corps in 1951 and served his country in Korea and was honorably discharged in 1952 with a rank of Corporal. He enrolled at Stout State College on the G.I. Bill and received a BS degree in Industrial Arts Education. He met his future wife, Marie (Strodthoff), at Stout. John and Marie were married on August 4, 1956. They lived in Holcomb, WI and Glenwood City, WI. In Glenwood City, John taught, coached football and track, and was also the principal. They moved to Prairie du Sac, WI in 1965 when John took the High School principal’s position. He got his MS degree in Education Administration from UW-Madison and became a proud alumnus. He moved the family to Merrillan, WI in 1978 where he was the District Administrator of United School District No. 3, comprised of Alma Center, Humbird and Merrillan. In 1985, John moved to Waunakee for work as a consultant for the State Department of Public Instruction in Madison where he worked until he suffered a head injury in 1988 that ended his career in education. John was an active member of the American Legion Post 360 and the VFW Post 11244, both in Waunakee. John and Marie moved to Stoughton in 2021 to be closer to their son. 

John loved hunting deer, hunting game birds with his dog, fishing, camping, tinkering in the yard, gardening, and just being outside and busy. He liked watching sports (Packers, Brewers, Bucks, and Badgers) and had two televisions set up so he could watch multiple games simultaneously. As his hearing loss got worse, the volume went up, much to the frustration of Marie. (We often heard mom yell, “John! Turn down the volume!” then dad’s response of “What?!”) He volunteered to assist senior citizens with transportation and odd jobs for many years and was an usher at UW-Madison football and basketball games for around 12 years. He can be seen in the Kohl Center poster photo of a UW-Madison men’s basketball game, if you know where to look. John and Marie were active members of their Lutheran Church. 

He is survived by his children, Kathryn (Jim Simonson) Pokorny of Merrillan, WI and Steven (JoMarie) Oakeson of Evansville, WI; four grandchildren, Bridget (Alex) Schmidt, Brandon (Amber) Pokorny, Evan (Cassie) Oakeson, and Ryan Oakeson; three great grandchildren, Clayton Schmidt, Colton Schmidt, and Owen Pokorny; and many nieces and nephews. He would also like to acknowledge Julie (Weeks) Breunig. 

John is preceded in death by his wife, Marie (Strodthoff) Oakeson; his parents; sister Ruth (Jack) Erickson; sister Mary (Arno) Zeitler; older (Was he really?) twin brother George (Gina) Oakeson; and niece Mary Kay Erickson. 

John’s wish was to be cremated (Cremation Society of Madison) and his and Marie’s ashes to be interred at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner. No memorial service is planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to your local VFW or to Agrace hospice and supportive care. 

The family would like to acknowledge the staff of Agrace hospice and supportive care and Milestone Senior Living in Stoughton, especially Laura, Emilie, Erika, Kevin, Bob and Emi. Your thoughtfulness and support are greatly appreciated. Know that you all made a difference.