Dorothy Theresa Kelley

Dorothy Theresa Kelley, 88, of Fond du Lac passed away on February 20, 2013, surrounded by her family, at the Fond du Lac Lutheran Home. She was born March 17, 1924 in Dotyville, WI a daughter of Hubert and Theresa Schmitz Abhold.

On November 7, 1946 Dorothy married Robert R. Kelley in St. Mary’s Church in Fond du Lac.

Dorothy was a homemaker most of her life.  For a brief time she worked at Thresherman’s Mutual Insurance Company.  Dorothy was a religious education teacher and a member of the Altar Society at St. John’s Church in Byron.  Dorothy was also active in the Good Samaritan Guild and the Daughters of Isabella. 

She enjoyed traveling, reading and making quilts for the missions. Dorothy was a vital part of the family farm.  Upon the death of her husband in 1987 she moved to Fond du Lac where she continued her gardening and independent living until her passing. 

Survivors include two daughters, Kathy Engebretsen of Madison, WI and Joan Kelley (David Moon) of Eugene, OR; four sons, Jim (Corky) of Milpitas, CA, Steve (Joan Kozisek) of Byron, John (Cheryl Huff) of Eden, and Brian (Deb Donaldson) of Burlingame, CA; three grandchildren, Jenni (Theo) LeCompte, Derek Engebretsen, and Erin (Bryan) Canepa; her sister, Betty (Doug) Trepanier and by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, one grandson, Shawn Kelley; a son-in-law Arne Engebretsen; one brother, Robert Abhold; three sisters, Mary Jaeger, Anita Moquin and Rita Abhold.

Visitation:  Dorothy’s family will receive relatives and friends at the Zacherl Funeral Home, 875 E. Division St., Fond du Lac, on Sunday, February 24, 2013 from 2:00 until 5:00 PM.  There is no visitation on Monday, February 25.

Services:  At 11:00 AM, in the Sons of Zebedee Church, Byron, a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated.  Burial will follow in the parish cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and may be directed to Catholic Relief Services.  

Her family is grateful to staff of Agnesian Hospice Hope and the Fond du Lac Lutheran Home for the compassion and care given to their mother. 

Zacherl Funeral Home and Crematory of Fond du Lac is serving the family.  www.zacherlfuneralhome.com