Theodora "Dorothy" Nettesheim

Theodora “Dorothy” Nettesheim, age 96, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend passed into eternal life on Tuesday, December 2, 2025.

Dorothy will be greatly missed and remembered for her wonderful laughter, beautiful smile, and great love of life, her children, and family.

Dorothy was born in 1929 in Austria. Along with her mom, Mary, and two brothers, Carl and Joe, immigrated to America in 1936 to rejoin their father who migrated 6 years earlier in 1930, seeking work and a better life. He was staying with his sister in Milwaukee and finally earned enough money to bring Dorothy and her family to America.

Dorothy graduated from Washington High School in 1948 and did bookkeeping work and was also a sales clerk of women's clothing at Gimbels in Downtown Milwaukee.

Not long after on a blind date she met “Ken” and knew “He was the one”. In 1951 the two married and soon started a family, raising 4 children. Dorothy took care of the home while Ken worked his construction/landscape business.

Dorothy was a devoted wife and mother, very involved with her church- Our Lady of Sorrows. She coordinated many luncheons, church meetings, Christian Women activities, and assisted at Masses- always willing to give her time to help out at the Parish. Dorothy also waitressed at Zarder's Restaurant for nearly 20 years.

Dorothy truly enjoyed being with her children and always took them to places they wanted to go. She loved being with her grandchildren for Birthdays and baby sitting and with family on holidays.

Dorothy enjoyed playing card games, Cribbage, Bingo, Bunco, and Masterpiece. She had amazing luck winning many football pools and loved watching the Packers and Brewers. For recreation she bowled weekly and competed on the show “Bowling With The Champs”, did very well and won a “Watch” in the tournament. Dorothy started golfing in her 60's and became so good at it that she shot a “Hole-in-One” at Madison Golf Course at the age of 74.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Ken of 44 years. She is survived by her 4 children, Mark (Karen) Nettesheim, Kristine Nettesheim, Wayne (the late Patrice) Nettesheim and Donna (Mike) Simmons, 5 grandchildren, Rachel (Logan) Soich, Emily (Harrison) Miller, Tyler Nettesheim, Noah Nettesheim and Eric Simmons and 5 great-grandchildren, Brooklynn, Robert, Cody, Lainey and Vivie.

Special thanks and gratitude to the caregivers at Moments Hospice and Ramsey Woods.

The family request those who wish to express sympathy, consider making a donation to their favorite charity in Dorothy's memory.

Visitation at the Max A. Sass & Sons Mission Hills Chapel, 8910 W. Drexel Ave., Franklin, on Saturday, December 6 from 10 - 11:30 AM. Funeral Service at 11:30 AM. Private burial at Holy Cross Cemetery.