Obituaries
001.jpeg)
Dorothy M Brenner
Sept. 28, 1922 - Sept. 6, 2026 - Chilton, WI
Funeral Service
Friday, Sept. 11, 2026
11:30 am
54 E. Main St.
Chilton, WI 53014
Funeral Visitation
Friday, Sept. 11, 2026
9:00 am - 11:15 am
Good Shepherd Catholic Church Fellowship Hall
54 E. Main St.
Chilton, WI 53014
Burial Service
Friday, Sept. 11, 2026
3:00 pm
Hwy 32/57
Hilbert, WI 54129
Dorothy M Brenner
Chilton WI
Dorothy M. Brenner, just days before her 104th birthday, died on Sunday, September 6, 2026 at the Calumet Medical Center in Chilton. She was born September 28, 1922 in Charlestown, daughter of the late John & Katherine (Juckem) Kolbe.
She was born and raised in the Town of Charlestown and had met Rudy Brenner who was quite smitten with her. He had painted his car green, and Dorothy let him know that she wouldn’t go on another date with him unless he painted it black. Thankfully, Rudy made the switch and the rest, as they say, is history. The couple was married on June 4, 1947 at St. Martin Catholic Church in Chilton and they farmed side by side in Kloten until they retired at the age of 68.
They truly loved country living and even when they were done milking cows remained on the farmstead until 2013 when they moved to the hustling, bustling city of Chilton.
She was a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church, formerly St. Elizabeth Parish where she was an active member of the Christian Women. Throughout her entire life, Dorothy belonged to several card clubs and the game of Sheepshead kept her motivated, involved and thriving well past the age of 100. She enjoyed working with her hands creating works of art through crocheting. Although she could never read a pattern, she was able to make and recreate anything she saw.
Dorothy was beyond proficient when she was in the kitchen. She would create delicious made from scratch meals and desserts. She was especially known for her savory German Potato Salad, tantalizing pickled beets and her melt in your mouth chocolate chip cookies. When November rolled around, Dorothy began gearing up to make mounds and mounds of Christmas candy to be shared with family and friends. When she wasn’t creating a gourmet meal, Dorothy could be found outside tending to her beautiful flowers or raising and harvesting fruits and vegetables out of her garden. Dorothy raised the best farm fresh eggs and made sure to feed all of the birds in her yard, especially her prized orioles.
Dorothy loved to spend time with her family and was her grandchildren’s biggest fan as they participated in their sports and extracurricular activities. She never passed up an opportunity to sit down with any or all of them to shake dice or play a game.
Survivors include her children: John (Arlene) Brenner, Patricia (Leon) Ruhland, Karen (Joe) Schoenborn; her grandchildren: Jeff (Lynn) Brenner, Tim Brenner & Dan Shea, Stacey (Brian) Ecker, Dan Ruhland & Larry Srebrenick, Chad (Allison) Ruhland, Michele (Shawn) Rude, Maria (Joe) Halbach, Angela (Thearith) Cheng, Greg (Jewel) Ruhland, Mary (Chris) West, Mike (Jackie) Ruhland, Jill (Adam) Bangart, Emily (Dominic) Ceci, Amanda (Mitchell) Schaefer; 32 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Rudy; daughter and son-in-law: Alice (Donald) Ruhland; her siblings: Art (Grace) Kolbe, Roman (Rose) Kolbe, Ottilia (Alfred) Daun, Leonard (Jean) Kolbe, Andrew (Alice) Kolbe, Sally (Mike) Trimberger, Mary Ann Kolbe, Berthilda “Bertie” (Harold) Brenner; and her siblings-in-law: Janice Kolbe, Leo (Marie) Brenner, Ann Petrie, Vincie (Duke) Steffes, Minnie (John) Widmer, Bernard (Jeanette) Brenner, Regina (Herman) Wirtz, Walter Brenner, Albin Brenner.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30 am on Friday, September 11, 2026 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church (54 E. Main St.) in Chilton. Burial will be in the St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Hilbert. A time of visitation will be held at the church in the fellowship hall downstairs from 9:00 am until 11:15 am. At the time of the service, there will be a link available above for those wishing to watch a livestream or archived recording of the service, view a memorial video, or see pictures of the flowers and gifts given to the family.
Dorothy’s family would like to thank the entire staff at Century Ridge, especially Tracy and all of her great friends there for all of the wonderful care that she had received. They are also grateful for the staff at Ascension Calumet Hospital for their great care in Dorothy’s final hours and Holly who tenderly cared for her. They would also like to thank Lois who kept making Mom beautiful each and every week. To all of the friends of Dorothy’s various card clubs and breakfast groups who kept her entertained, God Bless You all!
Condolences
Karen, sorry to hear about the loss of your Mom. You have our condolences!! Dave and Leslie Meuer
Dave Meuer (Friend ) 2026-09-23 17:55:51
Karen and family sorry about the loss of your mom
Doug Woelfel (Friend ) 2026-09-12 12:17:45
What a feisty beautiful Lady, she was. She will be missed by many, for sure. My thoughts and Prayers go out to you all.
Jeanne Klotz (Friendof the whole Family) 2026-09-12 09:27:04
Thoughts and prayers to all of Dorothy’s family. What a special lady!
Mark Redig ( Friend of Joe and Karen) 2026-09-11 21:29:22
A life well lived, and a life long remembered. I hope you find comfort and happiness in the memories you shared. Sorry for your loss.
Ashley Schneider (Family Friend) 2026-09-11 13:06:44
There will always be a seat for her on our glider. One of the sweetest ladies we've ever known. Love and sympathy to the family.
Dave and Trudy Bates (Family friends ) 2026-09-11 12:59:14
Karen and the entire Brenner family, I am so very sorry for your loss. How wonderful to have had her in your lives for so long! I pray for all of you during this time.
Colleen Connors (Acquaintance ) 2026-09-11 11:00:59
We are sorry to hear about Dorothy's passing. Such an extraordinary woman, and we were lucky to have had the honor to spend time with her and her beautiful family! She and her beautiful smile will be sorely missed!
Rob and Jan Rude (Friend ) 2026-09-11 08:51:39
So sorry to hear about your mom. She always had a smile for everyone. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Betty Ruppenthal (Friends of Pat & Leon ) 2026-09-11 08:38:53
Pat and Leon, I was saddened to hear of the passing of your mom. I always enjoyed seeing her smile and love of her family in the family gathering photos.
Dianne (Diedrich) Keberlein (acquaintance) 2026-09-11 06:59:22
Pat & Leon & family, we are so sorry to hear of "Grandma B's" passing. While we didn't actually know her, any pictures we've seen of her, made us instantly love her. That smile is very contagious?? At 104 yrs old, I'm sure there are many, many stories to be told. May she rest in peace and may the family find peace in all the cherished memories. Again, you all have our deepest condolences.
Jody & Steve Eldred (Friends of Pat & Leon & Family) 2026-09-10 19:10:22
Our sympathies to the entire family! We feel so lucky to have gotten to know and spend time with Grandma B over the years! Such a wonderful lady with a wonderful family to match. We look forward to chocolate making every year and will treasure the trade secrets she has passed down over the years. Maybe someday we’ll even try our hand at shelling hickory nuts too. Love, hugs and sympathy to you all!
Ruggie and Ann Schneider (Friends) 2026-09-09 20:17:09
John and Arlene, our deepest sympathy to you and your family for the loss of your mom. May she rest in peace.
Dan and Linda DeTroye (Friends) 2026-09-09 09:56:29
Pat and Leon, I’m so sorry to hear about your Mom’s passing. She was a delight and will be greatly missed.
Jenna Geiser (Friend) 2026-09-08 18:47:23
Pat and Leon you have my deepest sympathy in the loss of your mother, such a vibrant and always smiling lady. She is now in God's house... God bless you and all the family...
Mary Criter (friend of family) 2026-09-08 15:03:38
John Arlene. Karen and Joe. Sorry for your loss. Hang on to all the great memories. Hugs sent
Sandy Dietz (Friend of family ) 2026-09-08 13:46:02
Grandma B! Thank you for making me feel welcome into the family in Chilton! I will miss all your little kindness to me & our family. Your scrumptious chocolate cookies, candy treats & eating burgers at Ethen. It was fun taking you to your hair salon shop, picking cherries & visiting Grandpa B at your home. You will be missed by many! Love you from the Chengs!
Thearith (Angela husband) 2026-09-08 08:40:08
I've known Dorothy all my life as a neighbor and as a dear friend of my mom and dad. She always had a smile to share. Definitely a life well lived.
Betty (Thiel) Halpern (Former neighbor) 2026-09-07 18:24:07
Pat, Leon and family Our deepest sympathy to you on the loss of your mother Dorothy. Every picture I seen of her she had such a big smile. Dorothy is gone from here and forever in your hearts.
Harry and Paula Schneider (Relative and friend) 2026-09-07 18:08:14
Sorry for your loss
Jeffrey Ecker (Friend of family ) 2026-09-07 18:07:27
Grandma B was a nice and sweet great- grand grandmother. She always had candy in her house. She had a long life! She so cheerful and fun to be around miss you grandma b !!
Cheng family (Haddie Great- granddaughter ) 2026-09-07 16:42:07
So sorry to hear about your mom passing, our prayers are with you. You blessed to have many more years with her than most families get. It certainly is a life to be celebrated
Judy and John Casper (Friends ) 2026-09-07 16:17:13
Sending our deepest sympathy to the family.
Larry & Barb Joas (friends of family) 2026-09-07 14:24:02
What a lovely lady she was. How can you not smile with the smile she would share when seeing her. She lived a great life and you have great memories of her. Sending prayers to you all .??
Tom & Jean Roehrig (Family friend ) 2026-09-07 13:58:27
My deepest sympathy to the whole Brenner family. I have known Dorothy along time going was back to the Jericho years at Holy Trinity school. She was a great lady. Always had a smile on her face. Don't be sad remember all the great times and memories you have made. Rest in peace Dorothy!
karen halbach swonger (acquaintance) 2026-09-07 11:58:29
Arlene & John & Family. We sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathy to the family.
Joan & Dan Reseburg (Friend to some of the family) 2026-09-07 09:52:55
My deepest condolences to the family on the loss of your dear Mother. She was a wonderful woman --always smiling and happy. There should be more "Dorothys in this World" like her. All residents on Good Ave. were happy to see her a couple wks. ago at our Happy Hour. She was to be our Honored Guest at our Christmas gathering this year..but now she will be partying with the Heavenly Angels. God Bless Dorothy & her family.
Diane Jaeckels (Friend & former Neighbor) 2026-09-07 09:14:26
Dear Karen So sorry to hear about your mom. Cherish the memories you have of her. Sympathy and hugs being sent to you. Respectfully Jamie Rozman
Jamie Rozman (Classmate) 2026-09-06 20:27:30
I have fond memories of seeing Rudy and Dorothy at Southtown in New Holstein while we were in business. They were such a congenial couple, always sharing a kind word and a smile with us. They were the kind of couple to be emulated and Dorothy you can once again join Rudy at that diner in the sky. My sincere condolences to the family.
Bob Miller (Friend ) 2026-09-06 19:57:41
So sorry for your loss. What a long, fulfilled life! Cherish the memories made over all that time. May she rest in peace.
Tom & LuAnn Buechel (Friends of the family) 2026-09-06 17:50:51
You All Have My Deepest Heartfelt Sympathy. What Wonderful Woman !! Because of Work Hours,I Cannot Attend. Take Good Care During This Tough Time. She Will Be Deeply Missed By All.We Listened to Jerry Schneider Every Sat. Morning. Even Danced the Polka at the Salon When Legs Were Good a Couple Times !
Lois Wagner-Forstner (Friend and Hairdresser) 2026-09-06 16:54:52
What a beautiful woman blest with a long productive life! Dorothy & Rudy were such a nice couple & always so friendly. I'am so glad to have seen Dorothy at Cafe on Calumet in Kiel last month she was as sharp as ever. Be thankful for all the good memories & all the love shared with Dorothy all those years. Rest well Dorothy.
Dan Hauser (Friend) 2026-09-06 16:11:59
I am so very sorry to hear about Dorothy's passing. My thoughts & prayers are with you all.
Christine Goetsch (Family friend) 2026-09-06 13:27:31
Submit Your Condolences
Photos
