Dorothy F. Zahringer

Dorothy F Zahringer, age 98 of Stockbridge, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2021 at St. Paul Elder Care in Kaukauna.  She was born April 1, 1922 in Stockbridge, daughter of the late Andrew & Anna (Ritzke) Nickel.  She graduated from Stockbridge High School in 1939 and entered into the workforce.
Dorothy moved to Los Angeles in support of the war effort and became a Rosie the Riveter welding naval ships waiting for Art to come home.  She married Arthur Nicolas Zahringer on May 15, 1946 at St. Mary of the Seven Dolor Catholic Church in Stockbridge, enjoying 62 years of marriage; he preceded her in death on January 11, 2008.

Dorothy was a go getter all her life and lived life to the fullest.   She and Art ran Dot and Art’s 55 Café in Sherwood for 3 years while also farming in Stockbridge.  They sold the café when they were blessed with Randy and Cyndi, their two children.   While continuing to farm, Dorothy worked at Tecumseh Products in New Holstein until her retirement in 1984.

Dorothy treasured her faith and could be found weekly at Friday mass followed by a lively conversation at the coffee shop with her friends.  She enjoyed playing cards, crafts of all kinds and traveling with Art on many vacations in their retirement.  She loved spending time with her grandchildren and enjoyed watching their sports, concerts and playing games at home.  Dorothy was a wonderful friend and grandma to many and will be dearly missed.

She was a member of St. Mary of the Seven Dolor Catholic Church in Stockbridge where she was also active with the Christian Women.  She was also a member of the Stockbridge American Legion Auxiliary, Stockbridge Red Hats and volunteered countless hours at the Chilton Memorial Hospital.  

Survivors include her children: Randy (Laura) Zahringer, Cyndi Benson; 6 grandchildren: Joseph (Jamie) Ecker, Jackie (Tony) Pool, Matthew Benson, Emily Young (Jonathan Cameron), Alexis (Rilee) Zeinert, Wyatt Zahringer; great grandchildren: Evelyn Cameron, Landon Ecker, Winnie Pool and Willow Pool; sisters: Marie Wolf & Monica Brux; and a sister-in-law: Doris Zahringer.  She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; an infant son: Joey; sisters: Ceil (Jim) Hopfensperger, Sally (Norbert) Gries; and siblings-in-law: Roy Wolf, Bob Bruex, Sylvester Zahringer, Matt Zahringer, Martha (Melvin) Schoen, Emma Zahringer, Hugo (Crescence) Zahringer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at St. Mary of the Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Stockbridge with the Rev. Michael Betley officiating.  Burial will follow in the Parish Cemetery.  Friends may call at the church from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM when services will be held.