Dolores L. Berger

Dolores L. “Dory” Berger (nee Fritz) of Slinger formerly of Weyauwega, passed away on Friday, November 29, 2019.
Dory was born on November 10, 1925 in Milwaukee to William and Meta (nee Niemoth) Fritz. She married the late Werner “Mike” Berger on February 9, 1946 in Milwaukee.
Dory is survived by her children Michael (Judy) Berger, Susan (Don) Curtis; grandchildren Shari Hanson, Scott (Kara) Berger, Sheila (Jerry) Kruepke, Bobby (Christa) Susen, Jenni (Kevin) Lawonn, Patrick (Leanne) Wellert, Stephanie (Raghav) Mohindra, Dale (Suzanne Grimm) Kuklinski, Wade and Cole Curtis. She is further survived by her great-grandchildren Jesse and Amber Hanson, Naomi and Mariah Berger, Brandon Susen, Jalane Donath, Lily and Rylyn Susen, Zachary Wellert, Peytyn and Kiptin Goodin; son-in law Bob Susen; sister-in-law, Pat Berger; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Mike; daughter Diana Susen; and daughter and son-in-law Karen and Pat Wellert.
Dolores grew up in Milwaukee and attended North Division High School. She was the youngest of three sisters. She married her sweetheart, Werner (Mike) Berger and eventually moved to the suburbs in Fox Point, raising four children. She and her family became members of Fox Point Evangelical Lutheran Church. Dory worked in the local schools as a cook, health and teacher assistant and as a secretary for the Fox Point-Bayside School District. She enjoyed bowling, fishing and going to Fremont. After retirement, she lived in Weyauwega, WI relaxing into the hobby farming life. She especially enjoyed Horse and Buggy Days. While at the farm, she enjoyed rummaging, computer painting and making Christmas stars during the holidays. She enjoyed her time on her computer and was often one of the first to learn a new skill. Every one of her computer paintings were unique, many of them with lighthouses. She added a cross to every picture to symbolize her never-ending faith. Dory regularly played Wisconsin Lotto games and won the Badger 5 jackpot of $41,500 in 2006. She volunteered and often provided money, food and clothing to needy families. She eventually moved to West Bend to spend more time with her children and grandchildren in Kewaskum. As she and her husband grew older, their final home was Serenity Villa in Slinger. While living there, she emailed and used her cell phone well into her 90s. Throughout her long life, Dory persevered through many challenges including seeing her new husband leave for WWII reconstruction, surviving breast cancer at 70, the passing of her two daughters to cancer and assisting her husband through progressive Parkinson’s disease. She would be described as resilient with a little bit of sass. However, as tenacious and persistent as she often was, she would also easily brighten a stranger’s day with a “happy day!” comment or by giving out her smiley face cards.
Her family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the many friends, neighbors, medical providers and caregivers. Memorials may be sent to: Interfaith Caregivers of Washington County located at 2374A W. Washington Avenue, West Bend, WI 53095. A private celebration will be held by the family. Burial will be a Wisconsin Memorial Park of Brookfield.
The Phillip Funeral Home of West Bend is assisting the family. (262) 338-2050 / www.phillipfuneralhome.com