Dorothy Elizabeth (Wesner) Melchior, life long resident of Gillett, WI, passed away at the age of 95 on August 12, 2020. She resided at Serenity Gardens Assisted Living in Gillett the last four years and was a devoted mother of four children who were with her in her final days.
She was born to Adolph and Elizabeth (Neuman) Wesner on June 11, 1925 and grew up on a dairy farm just outside the city limits of Gillett with her younger brother, Arden. Dorothy attended Gillett Public Schools and Gillett High School. Upon her graduation she worked in office administration. On August 30,1947, Dorothy was united in marriage to Francis (Frank) Melchior, who was also a life long resident. Together they raised four children; Tom, Betty, Dan, and Barb. They would celebrate 63 years of marriage before Frank’s death in 2011 and have many wonderful close friends and neighbors over the years. Many of those friends and neighbors became regular visitors and helped Dorothy as she aged. The family wishes to sincerely thank and acknowledge them for their years of friendship to her.
Dorothy was an avid reader and worked daily crossword puzzles. She worked at several jobs over the years, but being a supportive wife and devoted mother was her greatest accomplishment. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and also a long time member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Gillett.
Her parents; brother, Arden (Faye) Wesner: and beloved husband, Frank, preceded her in death. She is survived by her loving children Tom (Jane) of Shawano Lake, Betty Becker of DePere, Dan (Ellen) of Ashwaubenon, Barb (Nate) Hudek of Stevens Point; sister-in-law, Faye Wesner; niece, Sue Roberts; nephew, Mark Wesner; and cousins, Betty Porath and Noel Nienstedt. Also surviving her are her grand-children Ryan Melchior, Courtney (Dave) Watry, Nathan (Jessica) Larscheid, Luke (Jessica) Melchior, Zachary Hudek, and Elizabeth Sternweis. She was always delighted in seeing her great grand-children: Kyle, Derek, and Isabel Watry; John and David Melchior; Natalie, Julia, and Matthew Larscheid; Samuel and Oliver Melchior; and Emma Sternweis.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 18, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Gillett at 11 a.m. with visitation prior from 9-11 a.m. Pastor Carole Neitzel-Schnur will officiate. Guests are respectfully asked to wear a face mask and distance during their time at church. The church will have distancing by pews for the service. The family thanks you for your understanding and cooperation. Burial will immediately follow the service at Wanderer’s Rest Cemetery, Gillett. Memorials may be directed to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Gillett. We regret that due to Covid-19 we are unable to offer our guests a luncheon.
The family wishes to extend a most sincere thank you to the Director and Staff of Serenity Gardens for their atmosphere of care, warmth, and friendship. Dorothy often commented how well she was cared for there. She couldn’t have been in a more wonderful place for her final years.
Kuehl Funeral Home, Gillett is assisting the family during this difficult time.
