"Ruth, Sorry to hear of your Mother passing. Sounds like she had a busy productive life. Our condolences to the Gilson family. Arn and Barb "
In loving memory of
Dorothy Gilson
January 6, 1922 - July 7, 2014
Dorothy R. Gilson (nee Grosklaus), age 92 ½ years young, passed peacefully into eternal life on July 7, 2014 at Lawlis Family Hospice in Mequon following a brief illness.
She was born in the Town of Fredonia on January 6, 1922, the youngest child of William and Barbara Retzer Grosklaus. She often reminisced about her happy childhood, the one-room school she attended, hard work and the simpler times of growing up on the family farm. On June 1, 1940 Dorothy married the love of her life, Francis John Gilson at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Random Lake. Together, they raised six children and owned and operated Gilson's Shoe Store in Random Lake. Fran preceded her in death on April 1, 1986. Dorothy was employed by St. Alphonsus Hospital in Port Washington as the head housekeeper.
One of Dorothy's most famous contributions in life was her faithful way of making sure all were welcome and well fed. Her family mused that Gram sat on "the spring chair" as she jumped up to get whatever was needed. There was an unwritten rule that all family should gather at her home for Mother's Day, Christmas Eve, and The RLFD parade and picnic. The flowers around her house were evidence of her green thumb. She was a member of our Lady of the Lakes, St. Mary's Catholic Church in Random Lake, where she was a longtime member of The Christian Mothers. Attending her grandkid's celebrations and baseball games brought her great joy.
Dorothy is survived by her sons: Bill of Port Washington, Jim (Carol) of Plymouth and Tom (Lee Anne) of Waldo, and daughters: Barb (Jeff) Anzia of Belgium, Ruth (Fritz) Blazel of Newburg and Liz (Tom) Alexander of West Bend. She is further survived by 23 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends and caring neighbors.
In addition to her husband, Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, siblings: infant children Bernice and Margaret, Marion (Bill) Peterson, Ruth (Ted) Laubenstein and Wesley (Joyce) Grosklaus, son-in-law Greg Feider and granddaughter Renee Alexander.
A Memorial Service celebrating Dorothy's life will be held at 7PM on Friday, July 11, 2014 at Eernisse Funeral Home, 171 N. Royal Ave. in Belgium. Father James Ernster will officiate. The family will receive visitors at the funeral home on Friday from 4-7PM. She will be laid to rest beside Fran at St. Mary's Cemetery in Random Lake.
The Eernisse Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com .
The family wishes to thank the Random Lake EMT's, Aurora Medical Center in Grafton and the Lawlis Family Hospice in Mequon.
Tributes
"Our deepest sympathy to the Gilson family.
May you find peace and comfort at this time and know your mother is now at your fathers side.
God Bless to you all. "
"My sincere condolences to Dorothy's family and friends. May the God of all comfort, comfort you at this difficult time. ( 2 Cor 2:3,4) all the best wishes for your family at this difficult time. I am truly sorry for your loss."
"We are so sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathies to you all. "