Aug. 16, 1916 – March 11, 2011


Dorothy A. Zellmer, 94, died Friday, March 11, 2011, at Pine Ridge Assisted Living in Wisconsin Rapids.

Dorothy was born Aug. 16, 1916, in Wisconsin Rapids, to Frank and Mary (nee Cepress) Kubisiak. She married Donald C. Zellmer on Nov. 25, 1944, in Wisconsin Rapids. He died Feb. 18, 1990.

Dorothy was a homemaker and also worked at the Woolworth Store. She worked in various departments of the store but mostly in the pet department and was affectionately called the "bird lady." She was an avid knitter and loved to crochet, especially afghans, which she gave away as gifts. She would sit for hours at her sewing machine to keep herself busy creating a new craft. Dorothy loved to work in her garden add to her flower beds. She always looked forward to her fishing trips with Don to Garrison, Minn.

She is survived by one son, Jack (Jill) Zellmer of Wisconsin Rapids; one daughter, Mary (Bruce) Worzella of West Bend; five granddaughters, Joy (Troy) Brey of Wisconsin Rapids, Jodi (Mike) Witt of Elkhorn, Beth (Todd) Schmidt of Campbellsport, Marci (Steve) Danza of Fond du Lac and Micki (Derek) Kainz of West Bend; 10 great-grandchildren, Kyle and Colin Brey, Phoebe and Lilli Witt, Ty and Taylor Schmidt, Madilyn and Gabriella Danza and Sophia and Colton Kainz; three brothers, Richard (Rachel) Kubisiak of Wausau, Francis Kubisiak of Wisconsin Rapids and Norbert (Betty) Kubisiak of Wisconsin Rapids; and sister-in-law, Ardith Kubisiak of Wisconsin Rapids. She is further survived by sister-in-law Irene (Robert) Engelman of Pittsville and brother-in-law Arnold (Delores) Zellmer of Necedah.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband; parents; one daughter, Jeanice "Gij" Zellmer; three brothers, Sylvester (Marta) Kubisiak, Athanasius "Atz" (Jean) Kubisiak and Donald Kubisiak; four sisters, infant Leonarda, Cecelia (Joseph) Radtke, Sally (Edward) Andrewski and Cecelia (Royce) Smith; two sisters-in-law, Mae Kubisiak and Clara (Merle) Tubbs; and a brother-in-law, Clarence Zellmer. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today, March 15, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Wisconsin Rapids. The Rev. Timothy Welles will officiate. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. The family would like to thank the entire staff of Pine Ridge Assisted Living for their wonderful care, and to Dorothy’s angel on earth, "Rusty." Ritchay Funeral Home, 715-423-1414, is serving the family.

"Mother, you always said that the Good Lord would answer your prayers, and that he would tell you what he wanted you to do. He has granted you that final wish and YOU CAN NOW GO HOME."