DOROTHY BARTMAN

Dorothy Mae "Dottie" Bartman of Neenah, age 72, passed away Monday, November 16, 2009 at Theda Clark Medical Center due to rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Born March 16, 1937, she was daughter of Joseph and Katherine (Blahnik) Van Den Boogart. Dottie married Joseph Bartman on April 27, 1957. Together they had 5 children, with family being the most important focus of Dottie's life. She excelled in the toughest job on earth: being a mother. She was supportive in all her families' endeavors; careful to 'not tell them what to do', she instead helped them to learn to think for themselves. She was a great homemaker who enjoyed cooking for her family and always maintained a well stocked refrigerator/pantry to ensure all were nurtured and well fed during their frequent visits. She was lauded for her annual holiday creation of a family favorite: pfefferneuse (peppernut) cookies; and don't forget her special yummy potato salad. She also doted on and was amused by all the furry creatures her children and grand-children brought along when visiting. Dottie also delighted in gardening and watching things grow, sewing, dancing, and figuring out the plots of murder mysteries. She closely followed political activities at all levels of government and was both intrigued and dumbfounded by our representatives' interactions and the impact their (in)decisions and actions have on society and its future. She often wondered "why can't we all be kind and just get along with each other". The harshness of this world often troubled her sensitive soul. Dottie is survived by her husband, Joe; daughter, Vickie; three sons: Steven (partner, Diane Wene), Gary and Nicholas; grandchildren: Stephanie, Daniel (partner, Stephanie Heegeman), Tiffany Griffin, Amanda, Jacob, Matthew and Emily; great-grandchildren: Trista, Kaylee, and Jada. Dottie is also survived by her siblings: brothers: Jim, Ray and Tom (Nancy) Van Den Boogart and sister, Linda (David) Dilts. She was preceded in death by her youngest son, Tony (1995), her parents in 2003 and 2004, and two sisters-in-law, Sue and Helen. As was her desire, only private family services will be held.