Dorothy Leona (Dirkman) Wachholz

Dorothy Leona Wachholz, passed away on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at Valley VNA Assisted Living, Neenah surrounded by her loving children.

Dorothy was born on February 2, 1927 in the town of Kossuth, daughter of the late John and Caroline (Zimmer) Dirkman. On June 18, 1947 Dorothy married Norman Wachholz at St. Anne's Catholic Church, Francis Creek. In 1951 they built their forever home where they raised their five children. Every summer weekend they could get away, Dorothy and Norman would pack for a camping adventure with family and friends. A special memory for Dorothy was meeting Archbishop Frecking while visiting the Vatican. Dorothy’s passion was loving and caring for her family. As she often said, “she had five wonderful kids!” She was a loving and supportive wife to Norman for 63 years until he preceded her in death on July 18, 2010. They were a great team. Dorothy was the creator on some projects, the engineer on others and the cheerleader on all of them. Many of those projects were remodeling their kid’s homes. Dorothy worked at the Colonial Inn after her children were in school. She met many nice customers whom became special friends. She was able to make a friend wherever she went.

Dorothy was a past member of Holy Innocents Parish and currently a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish and the church’s St. Claire Society. In the past Dorothy was a Girl Scout leader for many years and also a Den Mother for the Boy Scouts.

Survivors include her children and their spouses: Pat (Terry) Woytal, John (Mary) Wachholz, Sue (John) Westphal, Sam Wachholz and her partner Ron Bilansky, son-in-law: Robert Chapman; her wonderful grandchildren: Wade (Christina) Woytal, Jason Woytal and Craig Woytal; Amanda Wachholz and her partner: David Haines, Ben Wachholz and his fiancée: Aleesha Kozar, Kristin Westphal and her fiancé: Matthew Subramani, Kaitlin Westphal and her partner: Alex Renner, Amber & Jim Andrianakos, Kathleen & Sam Espich; great-grandchildren: Ashley Woytal, Caleb and Mallory Woytal, Aurora and Sequoia Haines, Taylor & Mark Boudreau, Morgan Espich; one brother-in-law: Steve Clingan; one sister-in-law: Dorothy Bouril, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents: John and Caroline Dirkman; her husband of 63 years: Norman Wachholz; one daughter Sherry Wachholz; one brother and sister-in-law: Leo (Marcie) Dirkman; three sisters and one brother-in-law: Luella “Lolly” (Leonard) Schleis, Dolores “Sonny” Dirkman, Margie Clingan; one brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Paul (Bernette) Wachholz.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at St. Francis of Assisi Parish on Waldo, 1121 North 14th Street, Manitowoc. The Rev. Matt Colle will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial with entombment to follow at Calvary Mausoleum. Relatives and friends may call at the church on Saturday from 9:00 AM until the time of Mass at 11:00 AM. The Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Reinbold & Pfeffer Family Funeral Home, Manitowoc location is assisting the family with arrangement. Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com

The family would like to thank the staffs and friends of Felician Village and Valley VNA Assisted Living in Neenah for the compassionate care and friendship shown to Mom.

Love you more Mom!

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