Dorothy Ellen Parsons

Dorothy Ellen (nee Pionke) Parsons, formerly of Fond du Lac, was born to Eternal Life on Sunday, August 24, 2008, at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-All Saints Hospital, Racine, WI.She was born on April 2, 1917, in Hancock, Deerfield Township, Waushara County, WI, a daughter of Martin and Elizabeth (nee Ross) Pionke. Dorothy was raised and attended school in the Deerfield area.On July 5, 1939, Dorothy married Walter Earl Parsons of Almond, WI, at St. John’s Congregation’s rectory, Heffron, Waupaca County, WI. Prior to her marriage, she worked in the St.Paul, MN and Milwaukee areas as a house mother to various children. After Walter’s service in World War II, Dorothy helped her husband paint buildings and later was a house mother at the Fond du Lac Children’s Home, a nurses’ aide at Rolling Meadows Nursing Home, and worked several summers at Rosendale Canning Company. Dorothy and her husband were owners of Parsons Camper Sales in the Fond du Lac area for many years prior to their retirement.Dorothy enjoyed gardening (especially her roses, her favorite being the Chrysler Imperials), playing sheepshead and kings in the corner with family and friends, word find puzzles, fishing, traveling and horseshoe pitching.She is survived by two children: Nancy J. (Richard P.) Roloff of Racine, Walter E. (Dottie) Parsons, Jr. of Fond du Lac; four grandchildren: Traci L. Roloff of Boston, MA, Ryan R. Roloff of Clovis, CA, Derek J. Parsons of Fond du Lac, Darrin W. Parsons of North Fond du Lac; three great-grandchildren: Madison Anne Noel Roloff, Marcus James Roloff of Clovis, CA, and Dylan John Parsons of North Fond du Lac; two step-great-grandsons: Tanner and Trenton Barnes of Clovis, CA; two nieces: Donna Krueger of Black River Falls, Diane (Larry) Smrsticks of Merrillan, WI; a half-sister, Caroline Prusinski of Milwaukee; two sisters-in-law: Dorothy Bibby of Zephyr Hills, FL, Clara Pionke, and a brother-in-law, Marlyn Wilcox, both of Plainfield, WI.Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Walter on May 14, 1995; one sister, Lucille Krueger; two brothers, Clifford and Lawrence; four half sisters: Violet (Ken) Binger, Bernice (Eldon) Rauch, Eunice Wilcox, Dolores (Ed) Jazdziwski; a half brother, Martin Pionke, Jr.; and a step-grandson, Michael J. RoloffVisitation for Mrs. Parsons will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday, August 27, 2008, at Mach Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 31 East Division Street, Fond du Lac.Her funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday at Mach Funeral Chapel & Crematory with the Rev. Michael Morning officiating. Burial will follow in Ledgeview Memorial Park.A memorial service at St. Monica’s in Racine will be held at a later date in honor of Dorothy’s life with her new friends at St. Monica’s.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dorothy’s memory to St. Monica’s Senior Citizens Home, 3920 Green Bay Road, Racine, WI 53404, where Dorothy was a resident since April 2003, after moving to Racine to be near her daughter.A special note of thanks to the staff at St. Monica’s, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, and Dr. David Zablotney for the many acts of kindness, care and compassion during Dorothy’s time of need. God bless you all!

Dorothy Ellen Parsons

April 2, 1917 - August 24, 2008