Dr. Thomas P. Portman

Dr. Thomas P. Portman of Antigo, age 77, died Fri. Sept. 9, 2011 at his home under the care of his family and LeRoyer Hospice. He was born April 19, 1934 in Antigo to Dr. Guy and Mae (Morgan) Portman. He married Willa Lienemann on Oct. 16, 1963 in Muscoda, WI. She survives. Dr. Portman was a graduate of Antigo High School, and earned his dental degree from Marquette University. He served in the US Army as a Dental Corps Captain in Stuttgart, Germany. While stationed in Germany, he met his future wife, Willa. After his time in the military, Dr. Portman practiced dentistry in Muscoda and Green Bay before returning to Antigo in 1973 and opening his dental practice here. He also worked as a contract dentist for Indian Health Services, working for tribes in North Dakota, South Dakota, Arizona, Oklahoma, Utah, Nevada, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. He will be remembered as a true outdoorsman and a lover of nature. Over the years he planted many trees. He liked to spend his time hunting and fishing, and simply appreciating the natural beauty of the earth. Time with his family and his hunting dogs, Tar and Babe, was precious to him. He was a charter member of the DLPS (Dixie Lunch Philosophical Society). In addition to his wife, Willa Portman, he is survived by 4 children, Notker (Petry) Schmid of Gulpen, Holland, Betsy Portman of St. Paul, MN, Julie (Tony) Dodd of Eau Claire, and Tom (Tara) Portman of Eau Claire; 8 grandchildren, Benjamin and Logan Dodd, Cole and Nolan Portman, and Ginny, Roman, Timo, and Indy Schmid; 4 sisters, Catherine Gehring of Green Bay, Sheila (Chuck) Huhn of Antigo, Sally Jansen of Antigo, and Nell Freye of Wausau; a brother, Ray (Pat) Portman of Antigo; in-laws, Will (Joyce) Lienemann of Eden Prairie, MN, Jane Lienemann of Mahtomedi, MN, and Dr. Dave Schliemann of Sonoma, CA; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; 4 sisters, Patsy Portman, Connie Portman, Jeanne Marsh, and Joan Schliemann; father and mother-in-law, John and Emma Lienemann; 4 nephews, Damian Freye, Johnny Gehring, Kurt Lienemann, and Guy Gehring; and brothers-in-law, Dr. John Gehring, Hon. James P. Jansen, and Dr. Harlan Marsh. A funeral service will take place at 11:00 am Mon. at Strasser-Roller Funeral Home, with Rev. Charles Hoffmann officiating. Visitation will be 4-8 pm Sun. at Strasser-Roller Funeral Home and 10-11 Mon. at Strasser-Roller Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dr. Portman's name may be directed to LeRoyer Hospice or the Gerald and Dorothy Volm Cancer Center. Friends and family are invited to bring a photograph to the visitation to be displayed for all to enjoy.