Doris J. Doelger

Doris J. Doelger passed away peacefully into Eternal Glory on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at her apartment at Springbrook Memory Care in Onalaska, WI. Doris was born on June 29, 1934 to Ruth and Gilbert Boettcher in Milwaukee, WI. She attended St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Milwaukee where she was baptized on August 12, 1934 and later confirmed in her faith. She was a 1952 graduate of Lutheran High School in Milwaukee, and went on to work at Badger State Mutual Casualty Company in Milwaukee until May of 1961. On June 14, 1959, she married Marvin Doelger, who at the time was studying to become a Lutheran minister. They were married at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Milwaukee where they both were members and sang in the choir together. Upon his ordination into the ministry in 1962, Doris and the now Rev. Doelger served congregations in Colome, SD ('62-'69) and Caledonia, MN ('69-'95). Their union blessed them with 5 children, 18 grandchildren and many great grandchildren. Doris was a stay at home mom for many of her married years, only to rejoin the workforce later in life as a secretary for State Farm Insurance company while her husband served as Pastor in Caledonia, MN. When Marvin was diagnosed with MS in 1993, he took an early retirement and they moved to the northwoods of Wisconsin in 1995 where they made their home together until his passing in 2014. Doris remained at what she often referred to as the "home on the lake, at the end of the dead end road, in the middle of the woods"  until it was unsafe for her to remain there on her own due to her diagnosis of Dementia/Alzheimer's. She was then moved to Springbrook in Onalaska, WI, where proper care could be given for her in a safe environment, and she remained there until her passing.

Doris had many loves in her life. First and foremost was her love for her Savior. She was a strong woman of faith and she lived it, always seeking guidance and comfort from Christ, her Savior. A close second was her love for her husband of 55 years, Marvin. When he was diagnosed with MS, she jumped right in and provided for all of his needs. If there ever was an example of unconditional, 'til death do us part love, Doris was it. There was nothing she wouldn't do for him, and she served him faithfully until his death. She had a great love for her family, and she made sure that she and Marvin would get to as many family events as was possible. She was a wonderful cook and baker, baking multitudes of Christmas cookies and Stollen, and great dinners for the family during celebrations. You could not go up to the lake to visit without there being a pan of some treat waiting for you on the counter.

She is survived by her children, son David (Claire) of Cottage Grove, WI, daughter Bethany Kastenschmidt of Onalaska, WI, daughter Rachel (Daniel) Peterson of Burlington, WI, daughter Sarah (Scott) Cloutier of Owatonna, MN, and son Aaron (Robbie) of Suamico, WI. As well as 18 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. She is further survived by 4 nieces, a nephew, and several cousins.

Doris was a faithful wife, a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. We will miss your wit, your smile, the lessons of faith and strength in adversity, but most of all your love for us all.

A Christian funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 11:00 am at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Burlington, WI. with burial to follow at Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee, WI

In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church in Minocqua, WI. or the Time of Grace Ministry.