Obit: Dolle, Kenneth R. (1932 – 2015)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Dolle, McKennon, Spooner, Mohr, Carter, Ouimette, Kitzhaber, Ormond, Spera

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, Wis.) 08 Jul 2015

Dolle, Kenneth R. (6 OCT 1932 – 1 JUL 2015)

Kenneth R. Dolle, 82, Greenwood, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his children, on Wednesday, July 1, 2015. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, July 4, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Greenwood. Rev. Charles Hiebl officiated. Interment followed in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers were Anthony, Paul, Nicholas, Eric and Christopher Dolle and David Schreindl.

Kenneth Raymond Dolle was born on Oct. 6, 1932, in Chicago, Ill., to George E. and Maxine (nee McKennon) Dolle. He graduated from St. Christopher’s Catholic School in Midlothian, Ill., and Thorton High School in Harvey, Ill. He entered the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1951. Ken married the love of his life, Mary Joyce Spooner, on Jan. 19, 1952, in Joliet, Ill. Ken worked in the steel mills of Chicago, where he also raced stock cars and did mechanical work. He passed his love of cars and mechanics on to his eight sons. Ken and Mary lived in the Harvey area until 1971, when they moved to their home in Greenwood. Together, they had 13 children. Ken was a self-made man who grew up and learned many life lessons in the Great Depression. He valued hard work, integrity and was proud of his service to his country. In the Greenwood area, his can-do spirit allowed him to accomplish much in his life, in part because he had the support and love of his wife, Mary, and also because he never allowed the challenges of life to dull his spirit. Ken wasn’t afraid of hard work, often working two or three jobs to support 13 children. He worked in foundries as a maintenance supervisor, sold insurance, and worked for the telephone company. In 1982, he attended Chippewa Valley Technical College where he earned his real estate and appraisal license. He successfully started his own business shortly after, Ken Dolle Real Estate and Appraisals, from which he retired at the age of 81. Ken was active in the Greenwood Lions, Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and the Wisconsin Real Estate Association. Besides a great work ethic, Ken instilled in his children a love of life, often saying, “You need to get busy living.” He and Mary shared a wonderful life together in the country, growing vegetables and raising chickens and pigs. They spent most of their time with the large family they loved, which included an assortment of rescued cats and dogs. Ken also enjoyed reading, watching old movies and listening to music.

He will be missed by his children, Karen (Jim) Mohr, Neillsville, Denise Carter, Neillsville, Anthony (Eloise) Dolle, Loyal, Margaret (Jay) Ouimette, Neillsville, Dawn (Matt Meyer) Ormond, Neillsville, Jeannine Spooner (Nick) Kitzhaber, Arden Hills, Minn., Paul Dolle, Menomonie, Nicholas (Janet) Dolle, Neillsville, George Dolle, Las Vegas, Nev., Eric Dolle, Greenwood, and Christopher (Carie) Dolle, Chilton; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and cousins Doris (Maddy) Spera, Modesto, Calif., and Paul McKennon, Orland Park, Ill.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents; his dear wife, Mary, on March 19, 2015; his sons, Robert J. Dolle, on Feb. 28, 2015, and Kenneth J. Dolle, on Dec. 28, 2002; one great-grandchild; one brother, George Dolle; and many other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Mary’s Catholic School, Greenwood.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.

Cuddie Funeral Home, Greenwood, assisted the family with arrangements.