Dorothy Mae Whittaker

Dorothy Mae Whittaker, 88, of 348 Hickory Street, Fond du Lac, passed away on Monday, March 28, 2011, at ManorCare Health Services, Fond du Lac.She was born on August 24, 1922, a daughter of the late Charles A. and Marcia L. Kindness Faul.On March 11, 1944, she married Louis W. Whittaker at Church of Peace with the late Rev. Karl Koehler officiating. Sadly, Louie passed away after a short 28 years of marriage, when Dorothy was 50 years old. She never remarried and always said, “no one could ever replace my Louie”. Dorothy was a member of Church of Peace for over 50 years. She was active in many activities including Martha Society, Sunday school, counting money, messenger crew, choir mother for the boy’s choir. She was “Mrs. Santa” for the church bazaar for many years and served as chairwoman of the bazaar and candy booth.Dorothy was employed for many years for Don and Alma Pike, Van’s Bakery, Beer Hut, and M.P.T.C. She enrolled her 12 children at Franklin School under Lorena Bartel, principal, and she received an award for being in the P.T.A. for 25 consecutive years from 1949-1974. She loved her family and friends and will be remembered for making hand towels. She enjoyed sending out greeting cards to everyone. She loved the Fourth of July big family picnics, where she always made her famous German potato salad. Her last holiday of the year was Christmas and she made her famous popcorn balls for all to enjoy. Mom was the glue that gathered her family together and the force that brought her friends together. She made coming home for the holidays, reunions, and family picnics a tradition that the family will cherish forever.Dorothy and her late husband, Louie, raised 13 children, their “bakers dozen” and they called them their angels. Her children line up to say goodbye: Tom (Jan) of Milwaukee, Bill (Evie) of Fond du Lac, David of Eden, Kathryn “K.T.” (James) Stephany, Mel (Kathy), Jeannie Whittaker, all of Fond du Lac, Diane (Joe) Ule of Plymouth, Bob (Susie) of Oshkosh, Nancy (Oscar) Pfeiffer of Rosendale, Carl (Pat), Carol “Lu” (Tom) Carlson of Fond du Lac, and Randy (Connie) of Oshkosh; 15 grandchildren: Heather (partner Mary), Aaron, Traci, Tara, Todd (Dawn), Scott (Tammy), Shawn (Kathleen), Tanya, Angie (Ryan), Ryan, Jacob, Kayla, Katie, Tommy, Sarah, Jeff (Amber), Nicole, and Della Mae. One of her great joys was when she became great grandmother on June 14, 2001 to Alyssa, followed by Kyle, Bren, Tyler, Alexis, Lindsay, Scarlett, Taylor, Wyatt, Mason, and Jeff Jr. She is further survived by three brothers: Butch and Rhonda of Las Vegas, Fred and Dixie of Neilsville, Ronald and Loretta of Oshkosh; and a sister-in-law, Bernie Faul of West Bend; and a brother-in-law, Ken Goeden of West Bend; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends; her honorary grandchildren: Connie (Ryan) Waldschmidt, and Debbie (Pat) Hansen; a special godchild, Patty Faul; and a very special cousin, Dee Dee Faul, they always called each other sisters. She is also survived by a special friend, Martha and Don Schmalz. She was preceded in death by her parents; her stepmother, Florence; a daughter, Janet Marie; a granddaughter, Tammie; two grandsons: Bradly and Bill; her siblings: Donald (Shirley) Faul, Mary Beck, Charles Faul, Willard (Patsy) Boettcher, and Barbara Goeden.Dorothy lived and died with determination and dignity; always concerned with her loved ones, yet never complaining about her own struggles. Special thanks to our extended families from Church of Peace, Jeannette Hinn, Jeannie Deitweiler, and Arline Waehler, along with her caretaker, Linda Schmitz, to Ruth Potratz for her weekly letters which Dorothy enjoyed and for all the prayers and support she and her family received during her illness. Special appreciation and thanks to ManorCare staff for making Dorothy’s stay more than a passing but a home much like a second family.I leave this message to my family and friends: As you hold me close in memory, although we are apart, my spirit will live on within your heart. I am with you always. Love, MomHave a great journey and may God hold you in the palm of his hand and saying we love you until we meet again. Love, Your familyThe funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2011, at Church of Peace, 158 South Military Road, Fond du Lac with Rev. Jennifer Dawson and Rev. James Martin officiating. Burial will follow in Rienzi Cemetery.The visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. on Friday, April 1, 2011, at Mach Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 31 E. Division Street, Fond du Lac and on Saturday at church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.And now she will be dancing in Heaven!

Dorothy Mae Whittaker

August 24, 1922 - March 28, 2011