Obituary of Louis Ottmar Schuschke

Chief Master Sergeant Louis O. Schuschke was born on the family farm in Lidgerwood, North Dakota on October 11, 1937, to Theodore and Rosa Schuschke. He was baptized at a church that he always remembered as the “Country Church” and was confirmed at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Lidgerwood. He is a graduate of Lidgerwood High School. During his youth, he enjoyed raising calves for 4-H and helping his mother in the garden.  In high school he was part of the football team.  He was brilliant in mathematics.  Many of his classmates asked him for help with their math homework.

After high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force under a 48-star flag. He worked initially in radar maintenance and later was among the first to be trained in computers by IBM. Among his memories, in the service, was being stationed in Bethel, Alaska and being there when Alaska became a state. In 1966, he and his family moved to Colorado Springs where he served our nation both as active duty and later in the Civil Service at NORAD.

His love for ranch animals was with him all of his life.  He purchased a small ranch, near Ellicott, Colorado in 1971.  He and his children built a horse barn for their first horses.  Later, he began to raise cattle.  In 1976, he and his family moved to a ranch in Lake George, Colorado. He raised Red Galloways. He liked their adaptability to mountain winters.

During these years, he joined the Air Force Reserve as 1st Sergeant for the 302nd Tactical Airlift Wing.  He earned the rank of Chief Master Sergeant before he retired. He served with his unit in Desert Storm.

He married Carol MacDowell on May 11, 1985. She predeceased him in 2020. They especially loved to watch football together. The Denver Broncos and the Minnesota Vikings were their favorite teams.

Lou was called home to glory on September 1, 2023.

He is survived by his sons, Donnie (Bryn) Anthony, Gary Schuschke, and Scott (Tracie) MacDowell; his daughter, Melisa Geringer; ten grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

The Memorial Service was held on Saturday, September 9, 2023. 

Committal Service, 10:00AM, Friday, September 15, 2023, Pikes Peak National Cemetery, 10545 Drennan Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80925.

Memorial contributions may be made to Family of Faith Lutheran Church, 6355 E. Blaney Road, Falcon, Colorado 80831.