DOLORES GEAR

DOLORES GEAR

April 19, 1930 - July 21, 2024

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Obituary

Dolores A. Gear, age 94 of Menasha, passed away early Sunday, July 21, 2024. She was born April 19, 1930 to Eric and Agnes (Muthig) Gelbke in Milwaukee and graduated in 1948 from Appleton West High School. On October 12, 1950, she married William “Bill” Gear. Together they had three children and celebrated 68 years of marriage before his passing in 2019.

Dolores will be remembered as a fun person who loved to go to new places and see new things. Dolores worked for 30 years as the school secretary at Menasha's Jefferson Elementary School. She was an avid reader of mystery books and enjoyed volunteering on numerous boards and committees. She served as both President and Secretary (for many years) for the Menasha Historical Society, was on the Menasha Library Board, and served on many committees for the Menasha Joint School District, the Neenah-Menasha Red Cross, and Neenah-Menasha Congregational United Church of Christ. She led a Girl Scout Troup for 10 years and served as a Boy Scout Den Mother.

Dolores is survived by her children: Linda (Steve) Stoll; Steve (Tressa) Gear; and Alan Gear; grandchildren: Brian (Stephanie) Stoll; Jennifer (Eric) Blankenfeld; Rebecca (Bill) Brown; Jason (Kelly) Stoll; and Lacy Gear; great-grandchildren: Megan and Abbey Stoll; Tyler (Natasha) Balcomb; Christopher Blankenfeld; Wyatt and Lily Brown. She is further survived by her sister, JoAnne Van Boogard and by her nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Eric Jr.

A memorial service for Dolores will be held at 11:00am on August 17th at Congregational United Church of Christ, 1511 Nicolet Blvd, Neenah with Rev. Rob Van Ess officiating. A visitation will be held at church from 9:30am until the hour of service. Dolores will be laid to rest with Bill at Oak Hill Cemetery in Neenah.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Menasha Historical Society, the Menasha Library or the Congregational United Church of Christ of Neenah Menasha.

Special thank you to the nurses at Aspire Community for Seniors and Compassus Hospice Care for their kindness and compassion while Dolores was with them.

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DOLORES
NG
Nancy Gutbrod
Other •
I worked with Delores at  Menasha Schools, she was a wonderful person, sorry for your loss
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Nancy Kropidlowski (Sheleski)
Other •
Both my mom, Eunice Sheleski, and I, knew Delores through the school system. She was a delight. I have fond memories of her stopping by to chat with mom at our house. Her husband Bill was the custodian at MHS when I worked there. Sad to hear of her passing.
DB
Don Burrows
Other •
Dolores and family were our neighbors when growing up in Menasha. She always had such a positive attitude and that big smile on her beautiful face. One of my memories of her is when she would be working in her prized flower garden next to their dining room and while chatting with her, I can still smell the marigolds as she cleaned out the weeds. She was such a nice lady. 
JC
Jean Chew
Other •
My sympathy to the entire Gear family. Another dear friend and dedicated Christian person, serving in many capacities when called upon, has finished her earthly journey and now rests peacefully in God's presence with no pain.
MS
Mary Schaefer
Other •
I just found out that Delores passed away - she was such a wonderful person and helped out anyone - she will be sadly missed. I worked with her at Menasha Schools and if I needed something she would always be there. There isn't enough words to say you will be missed - Delores.

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