Dorothy Caroline Shanley

Dorothy Caroline Shanley of Onalaska, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Monday, February 28, 2022, at the age of 78 at Gundersen Medical Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

She was born to Edward and Florence (Owen) Woefel in Reedsburg, Wisconsin on March 14, 1943. She married John P. Shanley in Houston County, Minnesota on August 30, 1970.

She is survived by her husband of 51 years, John Shanley and two sons: John (Vicky) Shanley Jr. and Brian (Victoria) Shanley, both of Onalaska, WI.  and grandsons, Cade, Dylan, Egan, and Peyton. She is also survived by her sister Sharon (Woefel) Wilke of Reedsburg, WI.; her mother-in-law, Betty Shanley Butterfield of La Crosse; her s ister-in law, Sue (Patrick) Rieland of Onalaska and brothers-in-law, Paul (Maribeth) Shanley and Mark (Amy) Shanley both of Sun City Center, Florida. She is also survived by her good friend Kathleen Stokes-Sagler and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dorothy lived in various foster homes when she was younger and as an adult was confined to a wheelchair due to muscular dystrophy.   Even with all this adversity she lived a very active life.  She attended school in La Crosse at Emerson Elementary and graduated from Central High School in 1966.  After graduation she worked at the Easter Seal Rehabilitation Center as well as Genuine Auto Parts Company.

She loved to travel with her family with memorable stops at Graceland in Memphis, TN, and the state of Colorado.  You could also find her at many car shows with her husband John showing their classic 1969 Chevy Malibu.  She enjoyed her children and grandchildren, visiting with friends and was an avid Wisconsin Badger and Green Bay Packer fan.

During the last two years she lived with her husband John at the Onalaska Care Center in Onalaska, WI where she was an avid bingo player and loved working on puzzles.  She most enjoyed visiting with others and was always smiling and happy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her stepfather, Karl Rossing; her grandparents and her siblings Donald Woefel, Beverley (Woefel) Stone, John Woefel and Joseph (Joey) Woefel.

The family would like to thank the staff at Onalaska Care Center and Gundersen Medical Center for the kind care she received.

Schumacher- Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crosse is assisting the family. A private burial service will be held at Mormon Coulee Memorial Park Cemetery near La Crosse, WI.

There will be a celebration of Dorothy's life held from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m., Saturday, May 7, 2022, in The Birch Room at Cedar Creek Golf Club, 2600 Cedar Creek Lane in Onalaska.  Please join her husband, John, and his family for appetizers, dessert, and refreshments as we honor a special lady; spouse, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to The Children’s Miracle Network or The Muscular Dystrophy Association.