DOROTHY HORTSCH

Dorothy L. Hortsch, of Neenah, age 79, found peace on Thursday, April 23, 2015. Beloved wife of 55 years to Bill, loving mother of Elizabeth and cherished grandmother to Alexandra. Dorothy was born November 26, 1935, Ironwood, MI, to Ted and Dorilla Brunell. She was the oldest of three children. Growing up in Chicago, she attended St. Patrick's Academy in Des Plaines, IL. The family moved then moved to Wausau, WI where Dorothy graduated from Wausau High School in 1953. As a teenager, she felt fortunate to have experienced the culture of the 1950's including superb music and rock and roll. She then went to the University of Wisconsin - Madison, graduating with a degree in Elementary Education. Dorothy enjoyed dabbling in art. While attending UW-Madison, you could on occasion find her on Bascom Hill doing charcoal sketches of the campus. She married H. William Hortsch on December 12, 1959. They moved to Memphis, TN, for Bill's position with Kimberly Clark Crop. Dorothy gave birth to a daughter, Elizabeth Renee, on May 20, 1963. Transferred to Niagara Falls, NY, with K-C, she taught at the Lewiston Elementary School. Bill was later transferred to Neenah, WI. Dorothy is survived by her husband, Bill; a daughter, Elizabeth; and her granddaughter, Alexandra; her sister, Jacqueline (Robert) Jenson; two sisters-in-law, Mary Baumann, Carol Brunell; five nieces; two nephews; and many cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother; and a brother-in-law. Dorothy enjoyed nothing more than going to lunch with her daughter and granddaughter. A highlight was having the female lead in a Neenah Historical documdrama produced by Arva Adams. There were two separate productions in which she played "Aunt Jane" in the "Eddie Hanson Story." Dorothy and Bill were members of a dinner/dance club for 10 years. They enjoyed taking ballroom dance lessons in their spare time. Being a nature lover, she enjoyed the tranquility of their cottage in the pines situated on the Tilleda Pond in Shawano County, a gathering place for family and friends. She especially liked the sound of the Canada Geese resting on the pond in the fall. Dorothy and Bill enjoyed travelling throughout Europe. Of special interest was Cornwall, England where her mother's ancestors lived. A life-long Catholic, Dorothy was a member of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Neenah for 45 years. Clubs she belonged to included the Youngstown Ladies Auxiliary, Gourmet Cooking, Decorative Painting, Travel Club, A.A.U.W., Menasha Dance Club, Proclaim, Stagefrights, Neenah Historical Society and Partners in Profit. A memorial service will be held for Dorothy at 4:00 PM on Friday, May 1, 2015, at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 660 Division St., Neenah, with Fr. David Funk, OFM Cap. officiating. The visitation will be held at the church from 1:00 PM until the hour of service. Entombment will be at the Shrine of Heaven Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dorothy's name to the American Parkinson's Disease Association would be appreciated. Thanks for the memories!